Age old Question: Machines over Free Weights

[Stribs]

I am getting such a negative response from my attempts on Machines solely that I am really getting worried that there is no improvement to be made from using Machines.

Obviously there would be something happening but the response I get on here and from Gym-goers, I really would like to know if I am heading somewhere in the right direction

As I have mentioned in previous threads, using the free weights just doesn't appeal to me and I struggle to get over lack of confidence. I am happy to use the machines to work all parts of the body but what am I losing out on, and in the long run will I see results (Eventually) by solely using Machines?

Thanks for all your help guys!

[cyclistrob]

Do you find the machines to be challenging? Do you feel like you're getting a good workout? Resistance training is resistance training, no matter if its free weights, machines, or body weight training. How long have you been working out with machines? Have you seen any improvements?

[Doc2029]

The biggest difference between free weights and machines is that machines do the balancing work for you. Meaning you do not use stablizer muscles at all. Also the weight you are lifting my not be true due to the pulleys and other simple machines used to lift the weight.

In my opinion free weights are the better choice if you have access to them and can keep your ego in check and lift with proper form.

In the end like others would tell you your body doesn't care if the what the weight is it just knows that there is something heavy and you need to move it. So it does its best to do so and if it has trouble doing so it adapts.

[.V.]

It's weight, it's resistance, it works.

Use machines if you prefer. I feel that free weights are better because you have to do your own stabilization. For example real "hams to calves" squats use your low back, your obliques, your transferse and rectus abdominal muscles to stabilize the movement. The leg press uses...the quadraceps. So which one is better? To me it's the squat. But the leg press will work too...for what it's designed to do.

I'm just lazy and don't want to spend the whole day in the gym. That's why I like free weights. More results from less exercises and lighter weights.

But hey, if you've got the time and want to use machines..they work too.

[etothepii]

If you want to use free weights, and confidence, or whatever else is holding you back, you may want to get an experienced training partner to help you get accustomed to them.

[bodyshop20]

Machines will still give you progress, so take no notice of anti machine people.
I personally dont use them as mentioned before, they dont make the body stablise its self.
Not such a set back (some would argue) I always say some training is better than none.
With time yr get confident and start using 3 weights, then yr anwser yr own question.
Good luck

[Merrida]

I'm on board with the bandwagon. Resistance is resistance, regardless of the source. Do what you feel comfortable with, and you'll get results if your form is good and you have good muscle awareness.

[Stribs]

as always great response guys... I will continue to use the machines until i fill I have improved, I enjoy dumbells using free weights so hopefully I can progress to using free weights for other muscle groups.

[Firehawk]

Nobody asked what your goals are. What are your goals? Are you trying to lose weight, build muscle? Because in my opinion, if you're trying to lose weight, free weights require more energy since you must do all the work against the resistance, rather than a machine doing the stabilizing for you. Trying to build muscle? You'll get more benefit from free weight for the same reason as stated above.

If you're an average gym-goer with no big goals, or if you're a beginner, then machines are a good place to start.

[Doc2029]

From my experince the first time I lost fat and put on muscle I started out on machines. I noticed that when I switched over to free weights I had to drop weight in order to lift because my supporting muscles were not as strong as they needed to be. It took a while for them to catch up.

This time I started out with free weights and I am finding I am working harder and seeing better gains. In fact I am benching way more on a machine than I am on free weights. I am talking like 40lbs. So, in my opinion free weights are better. On the other hand, yes resistiance is resitstance and well your body will not care where it comes from or what it is just that it is there. And in the long run depending on goals, this type of work is better than none.

[cursor]

Oh shoot ... I was going to comment, but I think I misread the Topic title. I thought it said, "Old Age Question: Machines over Free Weights". I felt particularly qualified.

[Stribs]

Cursor - work away on that subject, its all relavant...

My Goals are to, without any technical gym talk, Look defined through a t-shirt and bulk up... its all an ego trip for me. I just want to bulk up in a reasonable amount of time!

[.V.]

Originally Posted by cursor

Oh shoot ... I was going to comment, but I think I misread the Topic title. I thought it said, "Old Age Question: Machines over Free Weights". I felt particularly qualified.

Please do comment. I've noticed that the "older" crowd at the gym I'm going to for the winter uses almost exclusively machines. The very few "younger" people who are there are using free weights but these younger people are kind of hardcore lifters. Even the girls.

But the one older guy who looks to be in his early 60's who works out in the free weights section is friggin huge and really looks fit. A real monster. I haven't caught his name but he was once an oly lifter, then a wrestler. He does a "real workout" in the "real" gym. Then goes and "finishes off" everything for about 45 minutes on the machines too.

[Merrida]

I've often "finished up" on machines to strip my muscles, and as much as I do not like machines, like you, I do believe they have a place. The way that I used them was basically to drop set at the end. I would not do this every work out or with every muscle group. But by keeping an occasional drop set in, I found it kept things spiced up and selfishly I liked the way it made me feel.

So I used them differently, but sort of along the same lines. Worked for me.

[Vas85]

I agree with almost everyone here, I use freeweighs for my muscle mass building and use machines for the pump / definition. You will still grow either way like also said by .V. resistance is resistance but as others have said the stabiliser muscles don't get worked so you may find yourself 'wonky' jumping on an incline bench if all you ever do is machines.