Machines/Free Weights???

[champ81uk]

Hi all, I am VERY new here, (a member about 5 mins so far!) before joining I have been reading many posts/threads for info on the obvious, I gym 3 times a week with my aims being, build lean muscle/loose fat/get fit!! Now I dont want to be arny by any stretch of the imagination! I have been a member of my local gym just over a month now, I joined as I have stopped smoking recently! (4 months now!) and as my wife was a member I decided to join, I used to gym 10 or so years ago 3-4 times a week, I am now getting back in to a decent enough routine of going 3 times a week and training diff muscle groups each time with a good amount of cardio (evertime) and abs almost everytime, sorry to be rabbiting on!!! my question is this........... - - - its very rare I can get on the FREE weights at my gym and thus 99% of the time I am using machines, (which to be perfectly honest I prefer) does this matter???? can I get the same results just using the machines?? any help would be great guys! and please be gentle! !
Many thanks for your time

Joe.

[caerus13]

Free weights, particularly barbell exercises, are much much better than machines.

[champ81uk]

I forgot to say, I have also now started to take protein supps, however I have a shake about an hour before the gym and one straight after (i dont want to get in to 6 meals a day & 3 shakes min a day guys) I have done this simply to ensure there is good protein in my system right when my muscles need it most, I have a good diet, which includes a high protein from whole foods I.e Tuna,chicken etc,etc which I have for evening meals etc.
Cheers.

[champ81uk]

Thanks for the reply! can you please explain why this is???
Thanks