Machines vs. Free Weights

[russell92]

Hey guys just wanted to get everyone's opinion on how results from machines differ from results from using the same exercises using free weights.
I'm just starting out and have most of my routine based around machines.

Russ

[speedjason]

I like both.
the good thing about using machine is that it keeps your form right. also with cables means you can alter the direction of the weight unlike weights are always going down to the earth.

[pazzadean]

I prefer free bars/weights by a mile! Hardly use a machine

[russell92]

That's why I'm using mostly machines to make sure my form is correct.
What about gains though? Is it gunna be slower with a largely machine based workout?

[InspecktaDeck]

Are you trolling? There is no "free weight vs machines" because machines are garbage. The only people that benifit from using machines are advanced bodybuilders to target very specific muscles or other very specific reasons. For general strength & muscle development you should ONLY be doing free weights.

[stealth_swimmer]

Are you trolling? There is no "free weight vs machines" because machines are garbage. The only people that benifit from using machines are advanced bodybuilders to target very specific muscles or other very specific reasons. For general strength & muscle development you should ONLY be doing free weights.

Are *you* trolling?

Machines can definitely be used to a benefit. Only thing is finding a machine that suits your body (some aren't adjustable or not adjustable enough for some people's body structure). They're a good training supplement but shouldn't ever completely replace free weights.

[mikelad19]

free weights> machines

[adamdavidson47]

Are you trolling? There is no "free weight vs machines" because machines are garbage. The only people that benifit from using machines are advanced bodybuilders to target very specific muscles or other very specific reasons. For general strength & muscle development you should ONLY be doing free weights.

Who's trollin?

[InspecktaDeck]

Are *you* trolling?

Machines can definitely be used to a benefit. Only thing is finding a machine that suits your body (some aren't adjustable or not adjustable enough for some people's body structure). They're a good training supplement but shouldn't ever completely replace free weights.

Tell me why/when a novice lifter should ever touch a machine. Smith machines are horrible and a ploy by the fitness industry to keep people weak.

Who's trollin?

Trying to stop OP from wasting months of precious time on smith machines.

[russell92]

But what about for example doing preacher curls on a machine as opposed to with free weights?
What are the actual advantages in this case?

[speedjason]

Tell me why/when a novice lifter should ever touch a machine. Smith machines are horrible and a ploy by the fitness industry to keep people weak.


Trying to stop OP from wasting months of precious time on smith machines.

is you think all machines are the same then you are wrong.
bb bench technically is also a "machine". its more machine than db bench press.

[speedjason]

But what about for example doing preacher curls on a machine as opposed to with free weights?
What are the actual advantages in this case?

he's just trolling. do whatever you wanna do.
preacher curl on a machine isolates the bicep more so you are more concentrated on the muscle.

[ironwill2008]

Hey guys just wanted to get everyone's opinion on how results from machines differ from results from using the same exercises using free weights.
I'm just starting out and have most of my routine based around machines.

Russ

Generally, beginners will make a bit more-timely progress by learning/using mostly free weights. Having to control/balance a barbell and/or dumbbell(s) will call on more muscles to be used, and form better CNS pathways to control those muscles in the process.

[InspecktaDeck]

is you think all machines are the same then you are wrong.
bb bench technically is also a "machine". its more machine than db bench press.

Free weight bench press is a machine? No. All machines may not look the same but they are all equally worthless to novice lifters.

he's just trolling. do whatever you wanna do.
preacher curl on a machine isolates the bicep more so you are more concentrated on the muscle.

Im not trolling, Im giving him REAL advice. Your also a buck 40 giving lifting advice, pls go.

OP Im here telling you to stay away from machines because I dont want you to fail/waste your time. Find a program like starting strength and stick to it + eat a ton of food. Also dont worry about stuff like biceps right now, you need general strength & mass before you can sculpt anything.

[speedjason]

Free weight bench press is a machine? No. All machines may not look the same but they are all equally worthless to novice lifters.


Im not trolling, Im giving him REAL advice. Your also a buck 40 giving lifting advice, pls go.

OP Im here telling you to stay away from machines because I dont want you to fail/waste your time. Find a program like starting strength and stick to it + eat a ton of food. Also dont worry about stuff like biceps right now, you need general strength & mass before you can sculpt anything.

this is ridiculous. so you are saying you would rather have a noob try very bad form trying to do pull ups rather than using lat pull down machine?
or someone with bad back using leg press machine?

[InspecktaDeck]

this is ridiculous. so you are saying you would rather have a noob try very bad form trying to do pull ups rather than using lat pull down machine?
or someone with bad back using leg press machine?

this is ridiculous. so you are saying you would rather have a noob try very bad form trying to do lat pull down machine rather than using pull ups? <<<<See what I did there?
If somebody doesnt know how to do an excercise correctly they learn how to do it, not sub things in. Thats a poor training mentality. As for the hurt back using a leg press, when I said "novice lifters" I obvioulsy was not refering to special needs populations such as elderly & injured. I also think people should have a general level of mobility before atempting the barbell movements.

[Engineer_Guy]

bb bench technically is also a "machine". its more machine than db bench press.

Are you seriously that stupid?

[speedjason]

Are you seriously that stupid?

no all I am saying is all machines are different. some isolate more some isolate less. at the end of the day, whatever works for you be free weights or machine.

[ThickAsABrick]

Generally, beginners will make a bit more-timely progress by learning/using mostly free weights. Having to control/balance a barbell and/or dumbbell(s) will call on more muscles to be used, and form better CNS pathways to control those muscles in the process.

this seems to be the only good post in the thread thus far

[Sprog]

Free weight bench press is a machine? No. All machines may not look the same but they are all equally worthless to novice lifters.


Im not trolling, Im giving him REAL advice. Your also a buck 40 giving lifting advice, pls go.

OP Im here telling you to stay away from machines because I dont want you to fail/waste your time. Find a program like starting strength and stick to it + eat a ton of food. Also dont worry about stuff like biceps right now, you need general strength & mass before you can sculpt anything.

^ Id personally go with free weights to start with then use machines later. Now days i'll add in 3-4 few weeks at a gym to target a certain muscle and add in one or two machines into my workout but rest is freeweights at home.

I enjoyed doing madcows 5x5 routine over Starting Strength.

[Engineer_Guy]

no all I am saying is all machines are different. some isolate more some isolate less. at the end of the day, whatever works for you be free weights or machine.

A machine is a machine because it restricts possible pathways. Most machines only have one possible path. It really has nothing to do with isolation.

[speedjason]

A machine is a machine because it restricts possible pathways. Most machines only have one possible path. It really has nothing to do with isolation.

not that I exclusively use machines. I use mostly free weights. I believe the term machine is very vague here. I use cable machine to do flys and pull downs. I see nothing wrong with using those.

[Engineer_Guy]

not that I exclusively use machines. I use mostly free weights. I believe the term machine is very vague here. I use cable machine to do flys and pull downs. I see nothing wrong with using those.

Usually when people refer to machines they mean ones that restrict potential pathways. I generally consider cables a whole different beast than "machines" and "free weights".

[JOSEF RAKICH]

Use both.

[PaulRivers]

this seems to be the only good post in the thread thus far

Yeah - free weights are generally considered better, but you'll make progress with a machine as well.

You certainly don't have to spend as much time researching proper squat form with a machine...on the other hand, you also don't learn to move and control your body in better ways either.

[Orlando1234977]

Tell me why/when a novice lifter should ever touch a machine. Smith machines are horrible and a ploy by the fitness industry to keep people weak.

Luckily there's Sterns Gym.

not that I exclusively use machines. I use mostly free weights. I believe the term machine is very vague here. I use cable machine to do flys and pull downs. I see nothing wrong with using those.

He was referring more to your flawed logic than your training.

[k9pit]

Machine vs Freeweights? You just have to follow your heart.

No, but seriously....
-Freeweights allow you to engage your muscles, develop your balance, and overall coordination to a better degree while the muscles are under tension. WIN
-Most machines allow you to forgo the balance and coordination efforts, but focus on channeling your energy into the muscles under tension. WIN
-However, once you've developed your balance and coordination with freeweights (form becomes second nature) you can devote more efforts into channeling your energy into the muscles under tension with freeweights (mind muscle connection). WIN

It's usually more important for a beginner to develop their balance and overall coordination while muscles are under tension.
Most people with experience will use a mix of both over time.

Over time, you may find yourself able to gain overall strength and lower body muscular development from a particular move like squats, but able to focus/channel more energy into a specific muscle group like quads using a leg press.

[InspecktaDeck]

Luckily there's Sterns Gym.

You would lol if you knew the irony of that comment. dosomeresearch/10

[NZninja101]

Free weight bench press is a machine? No. All machines may not look the same but they are all equally worthless to novice lifters.

Machines are not necessarily worthless. If a novice lifter has just completed bench press, incline, barbell rows, chin ups and wants to work their rear delts on the machine rather than using free weights, are they wrong? You need to take it easy with the absolutist attitude, and this is coming from someone who hardly uses machines.

Im not trolling, Im giving him REAL advice. Your also a buck 40 giving lifting advice, pls go

It doesn't matter what weight someone is, if their advise is wrong, it's still wrong.

OP Im here telling you to stay away from machines because I dont want you to fail/waste your time. Find a program like starting strength and stick to it + eat a ton of food. Also dont worry about stuff like biceps right now, you need general strength & mass before you can sculpt anything.

OP, listen to me. Do not do starting strength. And don't be afraid to work your biceps. It's not gonna kill you. In fact it will definitely help you from an aesthetic standpoint.

this seems to be the only good post in the thread thus far

+ freaking this. I am disappointed that this is the case.

[MichaelCJ]

You can build up good amounts of perfectly legit strength with some machines. Actually, most. But some, I think, are particularly useful that way: the cable kinds mostly.

So some guys get their panties in a bunch, because some other guys out there end up big and strong, with the aid of things like the cable row and lat pulldown.

Lemme see... yep, sky's also blue.


Personally, I use mostly free weights. But I have absolutely no problem "humbling myself" (lol) and hopping on some evil machine for teh gainz. If it works, keep doing it. If not, find another way.