I doubt I'm the first person to share this problem. I find machines much easier than free weights. I know that free weights work your stabilizing muscles. So the question is, how important is that along with the other benefits of free weights, and do these benefits outweigh how much less I enjoy doing them than machines? In other words, is the extra pain worth the gain?
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Free weights versus machines?
- Thread starter Combray
- Start date
In a word, Yes. Also I shouldn't worry about the enjoyment. Once you get into the swing of using free weight you will find them far more enjoyable and you will find the gains made most enjoyable too.
If you dislike the free weights so much that you stay away, then use the machines. Going to the gym (or working out in general) is more important than what you do as long as you don't injure yourself.
That said, I think machines have their purpose of introducing people to working out who then "graduate" to free weights that provide a better workout by all accounts for the reasons you mentioned, plus a greater and non-fixed range of motion.
That said, I think machines have their purpose of introducing people to working out who then "graduate" to free weights that provide a better workout by all accounts for the reasons you mentioned, plus a greater and non-fixed range of motion.
In a word, Yes. Also I shouldn't worry about the enjoyment. Once you get into the swing of using free weight you will find them far more enjoyable and you will find the gains made most enjoyable too.
I agree with this statement. Once you get used to doing freeweights, you may start enjoying them more.
When I started lifting I used machines almost exclusively, then started utilizing freeweights more after getting frustrated that the machines often seemed to be occupied - and hence my rotation would get thrown off. The toughest part was that yes - after a few months of lifting on machines, my stabilizing muscles were definitely weak relative to my other muscles, and it took a little time for them to catch up.
Also if you do progress a fair bit on the machines it can be a real let down when you can't shift that much with free weights because its harder. Also, you are then trying to use a heavy weight on an exercise that you have not learnt any technique on and you can get hurt.
But on the other hand, using machines are better than not going.
But the feeling you get from free weights once you get used to them cannot be matched.
I recommend, try it for a decent period, say 1-2 months and if you still don't like it go back to the machines, but i can almost guarantee that you won't.
But on the other hand, using machines are better than not going.
But the feeling you get from free weights once you get used to them cannot be matched.
I recommend, try it for a decent period, say 1-2 months and if you still don't like it go back to the machines, but i can almost guarantee that you won't.
Thanks for the responses. There are certain exercises I hate using free weights for, like flies and bench presses. Other exercises don't bother me as much. I know I should get used to doing those with free weights and I do. I was just wondering if I'm causing myself unnecessary pain, which I guess I'm not. The other problem with bench presses is I always have to bother someone to spot me. They never seem to mind, but I hate to be a nuisance.
I love this debate, heres my 2 cents.
Machines are very good for many moves. They serve their purpose for a lot of things. Big lifts however should be avoided because you are locked into a certain ROM predetermined by the machine. Free weights for some moves, machines for others. You just need to figure out what works best for what situation.
by the way there should never be any pain. Challenge yes, pain no.
Machines are very good for many moves. They serve their purpose for a lot of things. Big lifts however should be avoided because you are locked into a certain ROM predetermined by the machine. Free weights for some moves, machines for others. You just need to figure out what works best for what situation.
by the way there should never be any pain. Challenge yes, pain no.
I feel that compound exercises, Like bench press, really need to be done with free weights. the beauty of these IS the large number of assistor and stabilizing muscles that get involved with the primary movers.
a bench press machine simply ROBS YOU of your workout.
that said, I much prefer a fly machine, and several other machines like cable crossover station that allows me to target/isolate certain muscles...the 'icing on the cake', where the cake is bench presses, squats, pull ups, etc.
too many machines will build deficits in those stabilizing/assisting muscles and you set the stage for injury. i.e. your chest and triceps can bench press 200lbs but your shoulders and rotator cuffs can't. injury waiting to happen.
a bench press machine simply ROBS YOU of your workout.
that said, I much prefer a fly machine, and several other machines like cable crossover station that allows me to target/isolate certain muscles...the 'icing on the cake', where the cake is bench presses, squats, pull ups, etc.
too many machines will build deficits in those stabilizing/assisting muscles and you set the stage for injury. i.e. your chest and triceps can bench press 200lbs but your shoulders and rotator cuffs can't. injury waiting to happen.
An article I read years ago rated the most effective exercises to the least effective as (best I recall the source):
1. exercises that move the torso through space (squats, lunges, dead lifts, pull/chin ups, dips, handstand push ups, push ups, etc.).
2. compound free weight movements (military press, bench press, row, pull downs, etc)
3. compound machine movements
4. isolation free weight movements
5. isolation machine movements
The advice of the article was that you should use the most effective exercises to stimulate maximum muscle growth with minimum time and volume, so recovery and progress are maximized. Makes sense to me!
1. exercises that move the torso through space (squats, lunges, dead lifts, pull/chin ups, dips, handstand push ups, push ups, etc.).
2. compound free weight movements (military press, bench press, row, pull downs, etc)
3. compound machine movements
4. isolation free weight movements
5. isolation machine movements
The advice of the article was that you should use the most effective exercises to stimulate maximum muscle growth with minimum time and volume, so recovery and progress are maximized. Makes sense to me!
Plus, many machine type movements (IE, Squats on a Smith machine ..ugh) are not only less beneficial than their free weight counterparts, but can lead to injury.
I have always worked out with free weights at home. Today I had a look at my local gym that have lots of machines and the guy at the gym said that since i had been exclusively using free weights i would probably experience more rapid muscle gain switching to the machines (sounds a bit too good to be true). Also since I don't have a training partner to spot me I thought training on the machines might help me work out with heaver weight a little easier.
do what you enjoy doing,as long as your working all parts (not just chest/bis etc) if your enjoying it you will keep going.
but i agree with the guys that the benefits of free weights outways the machines,a mixture of both is prefered.
also IMO if you need a spot then you have to much weight on the bar.
but i agree with the guys that the benefits of free weights outways the machines,a mixture of both is prefered.
also IMO if you need a spot then you have to much weight on the bar.
do what you enjoy doing,as long as your working all parts (not just chest/bis etc) if your enjoying it you will keep going.
but i agree with the guys that the benefits of free weights outways the machines,a mixture of both is prefered.
also IMO if you need a spot then you have to much weight on the bar.
I disagree with your sh!t. You should have a spot for an exercise like the bench press
youtube.com/watch?v=Mygns0H6Ok4
youtube.com/watch?v=GmM9yxbYLc0
If you use girl weights and then do 15 or 20 reps then you don't need a spotter, actually you should join the aerobics class instead of playing around with the weights and leave the serious sh!t for the men.
seems you have a little bit of rhoid rage.
totaly no need for a spotter,you should know your 10,8,5,rep maxes,if someone is helping you,then it isnt you lifting is it.
Shenanigans! This is silliness. When I'm doing max weight sets (2-3 reps), I know my max weight but I still use a spotter. They generally don't even touch the weight beyond a lift off, but for safety's sake. I have no desire to have 350 pounds + coming back down on me.
seems you have a little bit of rhoid rage.
totaly no need for a spotter,you should know your 10,8,5,rep maxes,if someone is helping you,then it isnt you lifting is it.
You seem like a douche who can't even listen or watch a youtube video. The spotters work in the bench press is not to participate in the lift. It is to unrack, pass me the bar (which is 3x your BW) and ensure the bar doesn't fall on my face.
Do you actually do the bench press yourself or you are some keyboard warrior? How many times your BW do you bench?
In fact if you are benching properly, you have to get out of your setup, unrack the bar (which takes some gas out of you) and then setup again (with the bar in mid-air) to bench the weights. Then after doing your sets you have to re-rack the bar.
If you are using serious weight, then in some instances you may fail to get all the reps and the spotter can catch the bar before it falls on you. This should be pretty obvious to most people I dare say.
If you are using serious weight, then in some instances you may fail to get all the reps and the spotter can catch the bar before it falls on you. This should be pretty obvious to most people I dare say.
i was responding to bloke,who is hardly going to lift 3x his own bodyweight is he.
if your going for a pb or lifting less than a 5rm,then having someone watch you is ok,but i was refering to guys who have there spotters do most of the lift for them.
and yes i have benched plenty of times over the last 36yrs but i never train to muscle faliure and lift my 5rm fine on my own.
BTW my 5rm is 140kg im 90kg
if your going for a pb or lifting less than a 5rm,then having someone watch you is ok,but i was refering to guys who have there spotters do most of the lift for them.
and yes i have benched plenty of times over the last 36yrs but i never train to muscle faliure and lift my 5rm fine on my own.
BTW my 5rm is 140kg im 90kg
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