I use Iron almost all the time. Their is only one machine I use and that is the Lat pull down machine. I feel Free weights are much better because they do not restrict the body's natural movements. They are in many turns harder, and naturally cheaper in the form of a home gym. I mean lets get honest, when we started out were we on bazillions of machines? OR were we much more likely on the Barbell with some plates, and a rack and bench. And when did we make the bigger gains? When we were first starting out? Or when we branched to specialized machines?