All this time, wasting my time

wonnder1
wonnder1 Posts: 460
edited September 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
So for the first time I left the relative safety of the weight machines and went for the real weights. I was always afraid of that side of the gym. That's where all the "grunting alpha males" work out.

And holy cow, I am, for the first time, feeling my workout. I don't know if there's science behind it, I just know what my body tells me, and it's saying "for the love of God--go back to the lame machines!"

Replies

  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    Yeah. Free weights and the machines are very different. The weights will work your muscles more - but they also can open you up to injury, so be careful. I use machines because I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder and it can't take the weights.
  • KimCutsail
    KimCutsail Posts: 51
    You go girl!! Rock it!
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    hehe...when I was in college and into my mid 20s I was one of the few women doing free weights in the "grunting alpha male" section of the gym...and I loved my muscles. Even if your body is saying to run away, just pick some slightly smaller weights and keep at it--it'll get easier! (and more fun, once you are comfortable with it)
  • 87beckyRN
    87beckyRN Posts: 34
    Good for you! I feel intimidated by the free weights and always stick to the machines
  • xraychick77
    xraychick77 Posts: 1,775 Member
    yes there is a science behind it..a very complicated opinionated science.
  • wonnder1
    wonnder1 Posts: 460
    yes there is a science behind it..a very complicated opinionated science.
    Good for you! I feel intimidated by the free weights and always stick to the machines

    I'm noticing that for all weight related "science" To me, science implies a cut and dried answer--otherwise it's all opinions.

    It took me over 2 months to work my way over to that side of the gym. I finally got one of the employees to show me what to do.
  • Aesop101
    Aesop101 Posts: 758 Member
    Good for you. The thing about free weights is they work even the tiny balancing muscles. For instance I bet at first you didn't push the weights straight out.
  • StevLL
    StevLL Posts: 921 Member
    Machines are good place to start to get your muscles primed and in shape enough to handle the extra intensity of free weights. Machines will work your muscle in a very specific movement so the muscle is not required to do any balancing or compentsating for the flexibilty in the movment. Free weights I personally believe give your body a more complete workout causing you to use your core muscles more in order to balance and maintain that balance in the movement. I don't have any science to back it up, just a lot of years hitting the iron. Don't be intimidated by the weights, start small work on form in your movement and the rest will come with time. some will say you can't lose weight going heavy. I'm living proof thats not true. I've lost a total of 25 now, 12 since being on MFP and hitting it hard is what does it for me.
  • Charger440
    Charger440 Posts: 1,474 Member
    I have used free weights and machines. I LOVE free weights and the feeling they give me but I also really like the Bowflex especially since it can somewhat simulate free weights if you do it right.
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