dumbells or barbell?

[evenlu]

I think it's important to start by training mostly with dumbbells. That is, referring to training guru Ian King, to correct for any imbalances that you have in your arms. When that is corrected you can use both.

 

[GenetiKing]

both........just as long as you stay away from any machines.........especially the smith machine.

I agree that free weights are typically better than machines/cables in most instances but I think they get a bad rap...especially from hardgainers.

If I was 5'8" and 110 lbs, I wouldn't even look at most machines in the gym. It would be heavy, free weights (DB or BB depending on the exercise) all the time.

But that's not me. I'm not huge, but I have enough mass at 6'0" 202 lbs that I can go to the bicep machine and fully fatigue the exact muscle group I'm targeting (biceps) to the point of incurring hypertrophy without worrying about ancillary muscle groups giving out before the targeted one does.

It all depends on your goals and at what point you are in your training career. Machines and cables get a bad rap, especially on this site. I suspect that's mainly because many of the members have found this site looking for training advice and they are just starting out, still looking for big gains in strength and mass. In which case, free weights are the answer. But don't think you won't grow using machines either. All a muscle fiber needs is the stimulus of resistance training. It doesn't know or care how that stimulus was administered.

 

[endpoint]

The reason i say no machines for beginners is because it would be good to work stabalizers and secondary muscles.

once a solid base has been built then sure go to mahines.

 

[GenetiKing]

The reason i say no machines for beginners is because it would be good to work stabalizers and secondary muscles.

once a solid base has been built then sure go to mahines.

Yeah, I think I knew what you meant.

I just didn't want some of these guys to start thinking that should avoid machines and cables, especially after they develop some appreciable mass and begin to approach a targeted bodyweight.

 

[NFG123]

Machines are OK

Machines aren't bad! I think the pec deck flye machine isnt particularly interesting, but the hammer strength machines aren't too bad. Milos Scarcev notes that often because machines are guided they may let you overload the primary muscles without stabilizers fatiguing first, which would be an added advantage as opposed to entirely using free weights. Either way, use a combination: dumbells and barbells for free weights, but don't entirely neglect machines!

 

[b fold the truth]

Tax your entire body. There is no reason not to. People are amazed at how large I am, yet how simple my routines are. Why? I train in my garage, a piece of crap Weider power rack, 2 bars, piece of junk bench attachment, 55 gallon steel drums for squat racks, 2 pair of dbells, and a ton of 45's.

Get big!!! Get really big!!!!

Many times, people just want to focus on the chest muscle...and they lose a lot in the process. They lose the overall body growth that the barbell provides. The overload that the increased amount of weight provides is hard to replace.

I worked out at a Gold's Gym this past weekend (was out of town) and it disgusted me. All of the hammer strength equipment just made me sick. They make all of the benches, squat racks, and moveable racks so "ergonomically" correct that they are just horrible. Foot placements here, back support here, shoulder support there....why???? They are trying to accomodate people who want to feel good when they train, I guess.

Sorry to rant...but I always feel that it is very important to stick with the barbell FIRST!!! If you have anything left...then go for the dbells. Make the exercise harder, correct, simple, basic, and compound. The entire body grows that way.

Bless

B True

 

[endpoint]

b fold the truth......word up

l train/feel the same way you do (except the logs and yokes).

Machines have only limited involvement in my training.......not because i can afford them.....but i dont need them.

but i will say this........your muscles can grow under the workload of a machine.

but they dont aid my goals as a lifter

 

[b fold the truth]

I agree. Machines do work!!!!

BUT!!!!!!

For only a very very very limited time. You MUST switch from them constantly!!!!

B True

 

[mattcanning99]

yea..i have been working out for bout a couple months now...anyways...wats wrong wit machines?

nothing major - you can make great gains with machines...just dont make them the only part of your workout. make free weights the major part of your workout (because they work the stabilizer muscles, machines do not). supplement your routine with machines. some machines, like the pec deck for chest flies, cannot be duplicated with free weights, because the machine allows tension to stay targeted on the chest througout the entire range of motion (where free weight flies take this tension off at the top). do both machines and free weights, but make free weights the bigger part of your workout.

peace

matt

 

[Charlie B]

Unless you have a workout partner that you fully trust you are likely going to be hesitant to give a maximum effort on free weights. If this is the case then I would use machines, if it isn't then use a combination. If you are extremely new to weight training, then I would stick with barbells and machines for at least month before moving to the dumbells, and even then I would begin light until your coordination and technique are solid.

Many of the newer machines (nautilus, cybex, bodymaster, etc) replicate the use of dumbells, but also allow you the peace of mind that can attemt to give 101% without fear of injury. This is especially good if you don't have a reliable training partner.