For the women out there...Free weights or machines?

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Replies

  • GiGiBeans
    GiGiBeans Posts: 1,062 Member
    I like a combination. Free weights for overall strength and machines for isolation work. I also like using resistance bands and TRX straps.
  • brower47
    brower47 Posts: 16,356 Member
    Free weights. It requires far more auxiliary stabilizing muscles to lift a free weight than the same exercise with a machine. You'll get a better, more comprehensive workout with free weights than you ever will with machines. There are times and places for machines but overall, free weights are superior in terms of fitness.
  • Ready2Rock206
    Ready2Rock206 Posts: 9,487 Member
    Totally Free Weights!!
  • peggymdellinger
    peggymdellinger Posts: 151 Member
    Free weights... though I do use the pull up assist machine. I need it until I can do pull ups and chin ups on my own.
  • KarenJanine
    KarenJanine Posts: 3,497 Member
    Free weights.
  • curvygirl77
    curvygirl77 Posts: 769 Member
    Free weights and check out this website called fitness blender, it's free and the two trainers have awesome workouts with lots of details
  • rebeccachipper
    rebeccachipper Posts: 1
    If you're a beginner, machines. Then move on to free weights.
  • peggymdellinger
    peggymdellinger Posts: 151 Member
    I have never used free weights or machines before ( I know that sounds crazy). Not sure where to start. Trainers are not an option for the time I am able to go to the gym (later in the evening). Any suggestions?

    Bench press, squats, military press, bent rows, deadlifts, then bodyweight stuff like pull up, chin up, crunches, bench dips... there's so much, many more that I haven't listed... google them, there are youtube videos re: form, etc... go slow, practice, get the form down.
  • cad39too
    cad39too Posts: 874 Member
    Agreed with the other posts...free weights definitely.
  • trud72
    trud72 Posts: 1,912 Member
    Gotta be the same old answer free weights are way better! and you can also buy some for home too that don't take up a whole room! :bigsmile:
  • adorable_aly
    adorable_aly Posts: 398 Member
    It depends on your physical capabilities. If you are weak and have never done anything before it might be better to start on machines.

    I've been using mosly machines for 6 weeks, because I was so weak and worried about injuring myself. For the last couple of weeks I've started to incorporate deadlifts and barbell squats to get some practice in. The machines have given me some results, and definitely made me stronger and more confident. But it's time to move on now, so I'm starting new rules. I think your results can plateau on machines pretty quickly.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I also prefer free weights.

    You can learn from books, online resources, videos on youtube, and possibly making some buddies at the gym. You can also take bodypump classes which may help you learn some of the basic moves. Those classes are high reps/low weights and are inefficient and not a replacement for a good strength training program, but they can help you gain familiarity with weights. I still use a machine or two, occasionally. But, free weights are the best, get the best results, and work all on their own and are easier, more efficient and effective. A machine is just an extra thing and they don't work all on their own for achieving the best results. They really only work up to a point, and most of them are large and awkward. There isn't anything you can't do with free weights. They effectively strength train all the muscles.

    And as others said, free weights are easier to use at home.
  • kimosabe1
    kimosabe1 Posts: 2,467 Member
    free weights...u will feel it more-
  • Fozzi43
    Fozzi43 Posts: 2,984 Member
    Free weights every time.
  • therainandthunder
    therainandthunder Posts: 54
    Free weights... I haven't tried machines.
  • thebigcb
    thebigcb Posts: 2,210 Member
    Personally I think that free weights are better

    Less injuries as you movement isn't restricted, get better balance to developement, and its cheaper
  • beyondmywildestdreams
    beyondmywildestdreams Posts: 79 Member
    Free Weights!
  • Katerina67
    Katerina67 Posts: 21
    Free weights!

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