Wieght Machines vs Free Weights

[trikydik]

I know there has been a raging argument forever about whether you get the same impact from a machine as you get from free weights.
I was wondering what people's opinions are here.

[ppwc1985]

I just love the feel of free weights plus I think you use more supporting muscles with fw. But I also believe machines have their place as long as they are quality machines.

[Times Roman]

I just love the feel of free weights plus I think you use more supporting muscles with fw. But I also believe machines have their place as long as they are quality machines.

I am going to agree with this.

But....
....I do use alot of machines. They are convenient as hell, and sometimes there are no equivalent work stations with free weights. Try hip adductions with free weights? never seen it.

[austinite]

I used nothing but machines after my shoulder recovered. But free weights all the way otherwise.

[clarky.]

I just love the feel of free weights plus I think you use more supporting muscles with fw. But I also believe machines have their place as long as they are quality machines.

This ^^^^^ both have there place.

[songdog]

Depends on wat you are doing.Everything has its own place.I used a BowFlex after shoulder surgery to get my strength back up.

[600@50]

Depends on wat you are doing.Everything has its own place.I used a BowFlex after shoulder surgery to get my strength back up.

This ^^^^^^^. It depends on your goals, how much time you have to workout that day, using what you have to do to minimi*e pain. Or just to do something different for the heck of it.

[tigerspawn]

I have my clients primarily use free weights. If you are looking to add mass and increase your overall strength nothing beats free weights. They work your stabilizing muscles that are such a vital part of seeing gains in the weight that you can lift. However, I personally like using cables. They keep tension on the muscle through entire range of motion. When lifting free weights, tension varies throughout the range of motion.

[baseline_9]

It's not a black and white answer....

Machines have their place.... So do free weights...

Machines will allow you to remain beyond failure in a more controlled manor which is great if you wish to train with very high intensity....

Free weights will 'work stabilising muscles' to some degree.... But I actually believe this statement to be a little over used..... However I'm not completely dispelling it.... It just isn't a valid argument against using machine training IMO...

So again the truth falls in the middle.... Use the advantages of both to get the best results.....


I like using bands on machines..... That's a good advantage of machines.... Easy to set up bands on them

[marcus300]

Both have there place but with machines you are locked into the movement of the machine and we are all made in different sizes and with free weights your follow your natural groove which is far better imho, but both are great just depends what works best for you

[energizer bunny]

Both have there place as said above....BUT if you have to choose between them then free weights all day for me!