Hammer strength or regular bench Q?? Am i cutting myself short while on gear??

[RideR1]

Was wondering if anyone had anytyhing to say about me using the hammer strength machines for my chest workout as apposed to the usuall free weight barbell.. I use the machines for flat inc and dec with good weight.. I heard from a friend that there are some NFL teams that only have these machines in there gym. I am on my 6 week of a bulking cycle.. I do get great pumps from the machines but do you think i am cutting myself short by not working old school on the bench???

[Big Poppa Pump]

100% cutting yourself short. Hammer strength machine is for slackers.

[RJstrong]

In my opinion yes you are cutting yourself short... you must always make the effort to incorporate basic compound movements using free weights in any mass program... squats, deadlifts, bench press, and so on... there is a place for hammer strength or any other machine for that matter they just should not be the main ingredient to your mass program... good luck with your training.

[Prime]

100% cutting yourself short. Hammer strength machine is for slackers.

Actually i quite like them. They work for me as well if not better then certian free weights. But i mix it up. Machines can have a place in your workout, but freewights should still be utilised too. The problem with training exclusivley with machines is that you dont hit your stabalising muscles, they take you through their plane of movement not yours and they can cause strength imbalances. But having said that i still use them on occasion.

[taiboxa]

free weights are the only weights!

[Prime]

free weights are the only weights!

so you are saying you use NO machines in your workouts?

[El Jugo Buen0]

I definately think free weights are better but it all depends on what you can handle, I've had 2 major shoulder surgeries and some days in the gym I'll do only flat, and flyes with dumbbells and if my shoulder is in pain I might go over to the hammer strength incline. Try to get used to free weights for many exercises, who cares if you start off very light...everyone does...you work your way up.

[Hypertrophy]

Are you cutting yourself short? Are you seeing results?
I would recommend free weights over machines, especially if you are on a cycle. Because if you are on cycle, you should be advanced enough to utilize free weights. I would have to have PROOF that NFL teams train ONLY on machines. This is no specificty to using a machine to what happens on the football field.

[taiboxa]

so you are saying you use NO machines in your workouts?

cables for flys and tri ext is only thing i do for "Machine" work.

[Prime]

cables for flys and tri ext is only thing i do for "Machine" work.

no leg presses, hamstring curls?

[taiboxa]

no leg presses, hamstring curls?

oh i do leg ext for theraputic purposes like 30lbs per leg 3x 20+ reps
but yeah hamCurls bleh i get more ham rape off squats/lunges/Deads and its a deaper tear too.

[BDTR]

Hammer strength incline = best machine in the gym if it could hold more weight.

[SMYL_GR8]

Hammer strength incline = best machine in the gym if it could hold more weight.

They are the best MACHINES, but the incorporation of stabilizer muscles and the flexibility in direction of range of motion will always make free weights better. An ALL-MACHINE workout will never build ass much strength and mass as one with free weights incorporated.