Machines or Free weights?

[agr4]

Hello, I'm a newbie and I was wondering is there a major difference between machines vs. free weights? I've heard that they train muscles differently but will that make a major difference in how my body turns out?

I personally like the machines because I feel my form is off otherwise.

Any incite or advice is greatly appreciated. :)

[freebirdmac]

Machines take out stabilizers and often do not offer isolation to your left and right sides. Your body may look ok solely using machines, but you'll get more bang for your buck getting some free weights in there. Don't let form being off throw you. Start with light weights and work on form. It'll come to you.

[kjake55]

Hello, I'm a newbie and I was wondering is there a major difference between machines vs. free weights? I've heard that they train muscles differently but will that make a major difference in how my body turns out?

I personally like the machines because I feel my form is off otherwise.

Any incite or advice is greatly appreciated. :)

IMO free weights are always the better option unless you have an injury you're trying to rehab. Your form won't improve using machines and it may even hurt your progress in the long run. Use lighter weights to do your lifts with and concentrate on form. As your form improves your weights will move up. This site and youtube have hundreds of videos covering form if your not sure. Good luck reaching your goals. :)

[LilT1026]

I almost exclusively use free weights because I can hardly reach on any of the machines and I'd guess that might be a concern for you as well, being just 1 inch taller. I can fit just a few leg machines but that's about it. I use free weights and cables for just about everything.

[agr4]

Lil T, I have noticed a lot of the machines are too big :(. Curse me being vertically impaired. I hardly see people as short as me.
I noticed with my squats I don't go down to a 90 degree angle. Also, I know lunges are supposed to be great but I can't keep my balance. But I'll go back over to the free weight Wed. and give them another go. Thanks ladies.

[sy2502]

Hello, I'm a newbie and I was wondering is there a major difference between machines vs. free weights? I've heard that they train muscles differently but will that make a major difference in how my body turns out?

I personally like the machines because I feel my form is off otherwise.

Any incite or advice is greatly appreciated. :)

Both machines and free weights have their place in a good training routine. Personally, and you are welcome to take this with a good amount of salt, I'd say use free weights for the heavy, compound movements and machines for isolation work, but I am sure others will immediately disagree with me :)
For what form is concerned, I'd say it's always preferable to learn good form instead of letting the machine do it for you, so if you can have someone that spots you and helps you keep your form in check, that'd be preferable.

[MaliaBot]

Freeweights make me feel like more of a badass. I know the people I see on machines...they are like reading magazines and chatting while lifting. I see the people on freeweights. It requires concentration and a focus on being a badass. :D

[heidismommy]

Free weights are superior...though I am probably biased since I have never used machines, lol (workout at home with just the basics). Seriously though, it is possible to get a fantastic workout without machines so if I had to choose one over the other, I would definitely choose free weights. Ideally I would like to have access to both just to add in more variety, but machines aren't necessarily necessary.

I agree with the suggestion to start light in order to get your form down, then progress from there. Good luck!

[kassondralb]

I feel as though machines are good when you first start. It helped me get my muscles used to the movements of things, as well as built a level of comfort with these movements. But, the workout I got then, compared with my workouts now with free weights, was so sub-par that it makes me a firm believer that free weights are better.

That being said, I'm pretty short as well and machines do not offer good accommodation for this. Like someone else said, use the free weights and work on form with lighter weights, and keep your concentration on lifting in this way as you move up. Eventually, it becomes second nature.

[LilT1026]

Lil T, I have noticed a lot of the machines are too big :(. Curse me being vertically impaired. I hardly see people as short as me.
I noticed with my squats I don't go down to a 90 degree angle. Also, I know lunges are supposed to be great but I can't keep my balance. But I'll go back over to the free weight Wed. and give them another go. Thanks ladies.

Start slow and build yourself up :) I can't use any upper body machines at all and only a few for legs. There is one leg extension machine that adjusts up enough and I'll use the seated hammie curl, but I can't reach on the laying down one. Work on your flexibility as well and just stay with it. I've experienced bigger and better results with the free weights myself - you can even start squats and lunges without weights for form purposes and then just add slowly. Good luck and PM me if you want more examples.