free weights vs machines?
Megclark37
Posts: 111
Besides cardio I've been doing strength training. However I only use weight machines rather than free weights. Is this just as good?
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Replies
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That's what I use too. I know there are those that say free weights are better, but the machines help me keep good form and there is less risk of injury. I just make sure that I switch machines often.0
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No way! Free weights are far superior to the machines. The machines limit your range of motion, tend to be isolation exercises, put your body into unnatural positions and can be downright dangerous causing injury.0
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In 2005 I was doing WW and going to the gym, using the bicycle/treadmill for cardio and the machines for strength training. I lost 50 pounds. SO I'm doing that same routine again as far as exercise goes.0
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I think I'll answer with, "depends"
I prefer free weights. (The barbell and I are in love lol). However, you need someone to teach you how to lift properly, and watch you, and spot you. This isn't always an option for everyone. But free weights also make you use your stabilizer muscles to balance the weights. It also get my heart rate up more, especially compound lifts (I don't really do isolated lifts like bicep curls for example.)
Most people I know who use machines use them following a free weight session because they are going for hypertrophy and they are too tired to continue with the free weights, but can finish up working out their muscles on the machine.
Some people swear by them, but in my own preference I don't use them anymore. I used to in college because I didn't know how to lift free weights, but I've seen much better results that has equated to strength in real life (aka - I can move in my furniture up four flights of winding stairs into my apartment lol). I also feel like I've seen better aesthetic results, but maybe that's only because I like it and stick to it better than I did the machines.
If you're curious, the lifts I focus on are back/front/overhead squat, deadlift, thrusters, strict shoulder press, clean, jerk, snatch.0 -
Free weights will strentgthen stabilizer muscles and your core, machines are good for isolation so its good to combine them in your workouts0
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Weight machines are fine if you want to have zero functional strength ("I pick things up and put them down!") but you want to increase the size of specific muscles. I have found machines to be worthless compared to free weights if you want to build muscles for anything other than aesthetics
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I think I'll answer with, "depends"
I prefer free weights. (The barbell and I are in love lol). However, you need someone to teach you how to lift properly, and watch you, and spot you. This isn't always an option for everyone. But free weights also make you use your stabilizer muscles to balance the weights. It also get my heart rate up more, especially compound lifts (I don't really do isolated lifts like bicep curls for example.)
Most people I know who use machines use them following a free weight session because they are going for hypertrophy and they are too tired to continue with the free weights, but can finish up working out their muscles on the machine.
Some people swear by them, but in my own preference I don't use them anymore. I used to in college because I didn't know how to lift free weights, but I've seen much better results that has equated to strength in real life (aka - I can move in my furniture up four flights of winding stairs into my apartment lol). I also feel like I've seen better aesthetic results, but maybe that's only because I like it and stick to it better than I did the machines.
If you're curious, the lifts I focus on are back/front/overhead squat, deadlift, thrusters, strict shoulder press, clean, jerk, snatch.
Definitely second this!
Although in saying that, I'm doing a CPT course atm and my teacher told me the weights machines are just there to sell the gym better.0 -
Free weights will strentgthen stabilizer muscles and your core, machines are good for isolation so its good to combine them in your workouts
^^^that^^^0 -
No way! Free weights are far superior to the machines. The machines limit your range of motion, tend to be isolation exercises, put your body into unnatural positions and can be downright dangerous causing injury.
Pretty much this. It is not even remotely the same as machines don't encourage the use of stabilizers. The only machines I use are the cable and the lat pull down. I would suggest taking your workouts to the free weight area of the gym.0 -
I have a multi-gym type machine at home and were I to do it again it would be a good bench and free weights (when I bought mine my son was too young to be my spotter). In addition to the machine a fair portion of my strength training involves body weight exercises and dumbells.
A little OT but last year I had an IT band issue and part of the rehab consisted of standing on one leg doing dumbell curls and presses - you can't do that with a machine!0 -
Weight machines are fine if you want to have zero functional strength ("I pick things up and put them down!") but you want to increase the size of specific muscles. I have found machines to be worthless compared to free weights if you want to build muscles for anything other than aesthetics
I am completely clueless.....How does it make a difference? If you are working the same muscles with the same amount of weight how can you not get strong using the machines? I am soooo confused
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I think it is just a personal choice. The most important thing is to eat well and move. I am forced to use free weights with my trainer, and use mostly the machines when I am working out by myself. Depending what gym you work out in, the free weight area can sort of be the jerk loading zone. Mostly filled with young dudes shouting out reps as they look lovingly at themselves in the mirrors. People who have body issues or a little shy might find it all a little much. I did when I was 320 pounds. Now that I am smaller I get into the free weights section a litttle more, but it is still weird for me sometimes.0
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No way! Free weights are far superior to the machines. The machines limit your range of motion, tend to be isolation exercises, put your body into unnatural positions and can be downright dangerous causing injury.
Agreed! Also you never will develop all your stabilizer muscles by using free weights. Just as a test next time you train, try doing the same exercise with free weights and the same amount of weight. Be prepared to be humbled Machines do have their place but should be used sparingly or when you don't have a partner. I've found that when training alone, just drop the weight down and to slower, good form reps to get the same burn without using as heavy weight as you'd use with a spotter/partner. 0 -
I started with the machine and graduated to free weights. I feel like I get a better workout with the free weights because I engage other muscle groups.0
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Free weights will strentgthen stabilizer muscles and your core, machines are good for isolation so its good to combine them in your workouts
This0 -
I agree with this 100 %. I still use a few machine for exercise not easily replicated with free weights (Lat pulldown, decline press, etc.)Free weights will strentgthen stabilizer muscles and your core, machines are good for isolation so its good to combine them in your workouts0 -
Don't know?
My gym is a Boxing/Martial Arts gym and only has free weights (dumb-bells) so this is what I work with.
From what I remember from working out in my college days. I prefer the dumb bells to the machines.
My uneducated opinion is that what to use should be based on what you want to accomplish. For me, I am looking to gain strength and endurance so that I can improve my health and be stronger for my martial arts classes. So the dumb bells work fine.0 -
My opinion:
Free weights with good form > Machines > Doing Nothing > Free weights with poor form
I think machines have a very important place as a tool when you're starting out in lifting. If you don't have access to someone who can help you learn free weights directly, they are a decent intermediate step to build a base level of strength and confidence before switching to free weights.
It doesn't free you from the responsibility of learning how to use them properly (i.e. not making the appropriate adjustments on the machine for your height, using machines that are just plain stupid, etc) but it is still quite a bit less intimidating than say jumping straight to squats on your own or something.0 -
Both can have a place in a well constructed program.
But it's highly dependent on context. For example, I probably wouldn't tell a 63 year old man with multiple recurring injuries that he should learn how to do heavy back squats.0 -
Bump, I am interested in all thoughts here0
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Weight machines are fine if you want to have zero functional strength ("I pick things up and put them down!") but you want to increase the size of specific muscles. I have found machines to be worthless compared to free weights if you want to build muscles for anything other than aesthetics
I am completely clueless.....How does it make a difference? If you are working the same muscles with the same amount of weight how can you not get strong using the machines? I am soooo confused
On a machine, you are working one muscle at a time. With free weights, you have the freedom to involve a variety of motions and essentially teach muscle groups how to work together. In your every day life, how many times have you ever had to do something resembling a bicep curl? I don't recall ever needing to lift a drink to my face that was 20lbs. LOL... Work I do with free weights actually resembles functional activities, e.g. lifting up a box, putting something heavy on a high shelf.0 -
I LOVE what the barbell does for my core. My whole body feels so much stronger, and I actually have less aches and pains in my back and knees. It just seems to make all my parts work better together if that makes any sense at all. I use a few of the machines, but mostly bars and dumbells. Just move right over there with the guys...that's where the good stuff its..:))0
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Like several people said above...good form is absolutely necessary or you're defeating the purpose. Go to youtube and type in the lift you want to do...there are GREAT explanations of how to perfect them. Be careful though..I've come across some really bad ones too..lol. Watch the comments to see if people give them a hard time for bad form..if so, find another.0
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I'm going to admit that I only breezed over the rest of the responses, but I'll give my 2cents. If you are new to lifting and have no experience with it and you do not have a personal trainer to work with you then machines are probably a good place to start. They provide a built in spotter and they teach you the mechanics of the lifting motion. Many people who are new to lifting and exercise will start with the "circuits" setup in most gyms to become acquainted with the process. As you build up strength, assurance, adding in free weights can be a good idea. I would strongly recommend asking for assistance when you do this so that you learn the correct movements and what you should/shouldn't be doing. I'm disgusted when I see people throwing their bodies around lifting weights that are far too heavy for them and thinking that they're the be-all end-all best bodybuilder in the gym. Form first, then weight. There are still situation where machines can be safer - especially if you don't have a spotter and you're starting to lift heavier weights. I love the Hammer Strength line that allows you to add plates to the machine but is designed to spot you with various exercises.
Right now I'm in a unique situation where I have severe muscle atrophy in my right arm from an injury. I choose to work out primarily with free weights. Since my right arm is noticeably weaker than my left, if I was to do a bicep curl or a tricep pushdown with a single bar, my left arm would be doing more of the work than my right and although it would still be beneficial, I prefer to use dumbbells and work each arm individually. Same for bench press (this one is REALLY noticeable) It might be dangerous for me to use a barbell since my triceps are that much weaker on the right than on the left.
Good luck with your workouts!! I hope you keep enjoying them!0 -
bump0
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I started with the machine and graduated to free weights. I feel like I get a better workout with the free weights because I engage other muscle groups.
^^Me too....feel a big difference.0 -
Free wieghts are better, but you need to know proper form to protect from injury. If you can not afford a session with the personal trainer at the gym for just a session stick to the machines.0
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only ever use free weights at the gym, not even a squat rack, I find when you use barbells, you are recruiting many more muscles in your body to proform the exercise than you would using a machine. each to there own though0
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free weights are better because you are using more muscles in the workout. I am currently transitioning from machines to free weights solely and I am finding that some of the workout I am having a difficulty balancing the . I am very happy I have a friend to help with this.0
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your (i'm assuming) clean and jerk/press numbers are as high as your squat numbers? that's quite impressive! i can only clean and jerk 65, but i can squat 95 for reps (lol my numbers are still sad, but they're getting better)...only ever use free weights at the gym, not even a squat rack, I find when you use barbells, you are recruiting many more muscles in your body to proform the exercise than you would using a machine. each to there own though
in response to the op: free weights. definitely. i do nearly everything with free weights except for cable rows (though i just started pendlay rows today), lat pulldowns (though i just started doing military presses today), and hamstring curls (because i have woefully weak hamstrings and i like giving them the little extra attention).0
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