machines or free weights?

[ndgal]

I was just wondering what you guys thought was better machines or free weights. I feel like the machines help with form, but free weights seem to give a better workout.

[Lencho]

Free weights rule! Nobody should ever use machines!

[A & B]

You should only use machines for maybe 25% of your exercises.

[Jesterclause]

DB's all day.

[Defiant1]

Use 100% machines. Nothing worth having is ever free.

[clusternakker]

Originally Posted by Lencho

Free weights rule! Nobody should ever use machines!

If youre goal is bodybuilding and not power lifting they are very useful. Machines are excellent for isolating a muscle, so its good to incorporate some machine work into your routine.

[usagisteph]

Machines help with form when not using a trainer but I think that using them help me when testing out heavier weights and see how they feel but the use of free weights give me the feel of a harder workout and better overall pump.

[RwR72]

I very rarely, if ever, use machines when working out. To an extent I feel like I'm cheating myself when using machines, and find I get a much better pump when using the free-weights! Each person has their own preferences though, so just use whatever helps you get the best form I suppose.

[ironwill2008]

Use a variety of both; don't arbitrarily rule out anything.

[Minotaur]

Originally Posted by Lencho

Free weights rule! Nobody should ever use machines!

Blanket statements rule!

Originally Posted by ironwill2008

Use a variety of both; don't arbitrarily rule out anything.

^^ Listen to this.

[Lencho]

Originally Posted by Minotaur

Blanket statements rule!

If it weren't for absolutes, there'd be no lutes at all.

[Minotaur]

Originally Posted by Lencho

If it weren't for absolutes, there'd be no lutes at all.

Well, there ya go!

[demike]

I don't use any machines thus far for working out. Just free weights and I like it. I do use a leg devloper though but it uses free weights.


Naaaaahhhhh...I only workout my bicepts.....I do them everyday...that is all...no need for anyting else right????? LOL

[LQPrimeTime]

I have read that you mostly want to do excersizes in the form they were ment to be used in real life situations.
I.E. Squats stand up and do them instead of a squat machine that you lay on your back

That is my only beef with a machine but i use machines alot especially when im not working out with a partner. If they have a squat machine where it imitates a free weight squat thrust i wouldnt see anything wrong with it.

Work outs tend to not be so full body with machines as well as it takes away from working the other muscles as well. For example: bench press working your wrists and forearms and trying to maintain balance vs sitting up right in a chair pushing forward.

[ThickAsABrick]

I stopped using machines after I watched the terminator movies.

I'm not going to be responsible for Skynet.

[mybody001]

if you were a guy, this thread would be in the gutters.

i like both, but prefer free weights simply because you are recruiting more muscles to do the work. not that machines are bad by anymeans. if you can handle free weights without hurting yourself, definitely go for it.

[ManInTheBox]

both...while i heavily rely on free weights for size and strength...machines are great for isolating, and simply mixing up your routine.

[DJAuto]

Free weights and machines, especially Hammer Strength.

[Shlokda]

lol @ this thread. The only machines you should use are for certain excercises like tricep pulldowns, leg extensions, smith machines for various things etc... You will elicit such better results from free weights, it forces your limbs to work independently, targets more muscle fibers, and works the stabilizer muscles. Its really easy to end up lifting more on a machine because it practically does the proper form for you. I would say like seriously 80 percent free weights and the rest machines.

[Lencho]

Originally Posted by Shlokda

I would say like seriously 80 percent free weights and the rest machines.

So you're advocating about an 80/30 split?

[mybody001]

Originally Posted by Lencho

So you're advocating about an 80/30 split?

lol wat

[shay14]

this thread makes me angry, for fuk sake use both, your muscles ain't gonna say

"OH NOES im not growing, because you're using a machine"

[Lencho]

Originally Posted by mybody001

lol wat

80 + 30 = 110%, which is what I give.






I'm sorry if you don't.

[sunyatasamsara]

db's ftw

[lancs_hotpot]

Never be afriad to use machines. They are a safe and effective means of exercise. Free weights should from the basis of your workouts. The basic compound movements should all be free weight, unless you are training with injury prevention in mind. Both free weights and machines offer a great deal, include them both in your workouts.

[lancs_hotpot]

Originally Posted by Lencho

80 + 30 = 110%, which is what I give.






I'm sorry if you don't.

You cant give 110% , 100% is the maximum.

[R_Bid]

Originally Posted by DJAuto

Free weights and machines, especially Hammer Strength.

emphatic x2

[statisticool]

Only use a fork when eating, no matter what type of food.

[QB_Killa]

Personally I only use machines when I'm coming back from injury (except the leg press). I think it's probably better to base your workout around freeweights as you get a more "complete" workout but machines are usefull aswell.

[Lencho]

Originally Posted by lancs_hotpot

You cant give 110% , 100% is the maximum.

Damn.