Machines vs. freeweights

[Test boy]

Do what you like to do. Both have pros and cons.

 

[Thaibox]

All you have to do is look at the majority of people on the machines, then look at the dudes throwing free weights around.

Its all about the freeweights bro.


Machines

 

[Test boy]

All you have to do is look at the majority of people on the machines, then look at the dudes throwing free weights around.

Its all about the freeweights bro.


Machines

I think machines are about as effective. There are reasons for the disparity in size between the free crowd and machine crowd:

1)Beginners use machines, they are easier to use.

2) Everyone looks at your weights when use use free weights. So strong guys can show off a bit. Beginners or weaker dudes don't like to be seen with 125 lbs on the bench. Lets face it...a lot of big guys at the gym are jerks and will scorn the smaller guys if they compete for the same benchs. I'm not like that but I do wonder about the neophytes using the free bench with about 100 lbs. I'd be embarrassed.

 

[calvesodeath]

Switch it around and do both every so often...it has worked well for me though I do prefer free weights for most body parts.

 

[riskybizz007]

The 2 biggest people in my gym actually do very little free weights. These guys are friggin huge but they seem so weak. Even on free weights they do sets w/ what i warm up w/. And in all the years at the gym never seen either of them throwing up big weights. Unless they're secretly working out at another gym... what does that tell you?

 

[Thaibox]

That tells me they're weak dudes with sick genetics, or they're injured

 

[endpoint]

i dont think i should reply to this subject.

i tend to get slightly emotional and agressive.

just a few notes:

riskybizz007 : when someone talks about a "stabilizer muscles" they wont be talking about it in a way that they do their biceps.....we are not trying to gain size on them. they are not there to be flexed. they are there to stabilize.

about the two biggest people in the gym: nobody said you cant reach hypertrophy by using machines.


for the moment i only have one thing to say:

machines have no real crossover into patterns of movment in the real world.
and the strength you gain from machines will only be viable to the machine that you use.
sure they will be able to make you stronger and bigger.....but not the same way free weights will.

 

[Blood&Iron]

for the moment i only have one thing to say:

machines have no real crossover into patterns of movment in the real world.
and the strength you gain from machines will only be viable to the machine that you use.

And how does squatting down repeatedly with a loaded barbell on your back mirror any pattern of movement in the real world? If a trainee increases his bench press from 100 lbs on a machine to 400 lbs, you can be damn sure if he moves to a barbell he will be able to bench press significantly more weight than when he was lifting 100 lbs on the machine.

 

[endpoint]

the key phrase is "pattern of movement" not "repetition".
you have never squated down to pick anything up?
you have never done any physical labor?
how do you go to the toilet?
how do you jump?

all with racks and pullys i guess........
get what i mean?

in the real world our bodys use stabilizers joints etc to complete a movement or task.....we dont have racks pullys wires etc to complete the stabalizing for us.


i hope i have made my self clear now.

okay for part two.

a person starts withall guess work)
machine 40lbs
freeweight 30lbs.

s/he works only on a machine and gets the exercise up to 60lbs.
according to you the person will be able to lift around 50lbs on the free weight exercise.

WRONG.

if the person trys the free weight at that weight....feelings will be hurt and so will necks arms and what ever the barbell hits on its way down.

with the bench press for example. if the stabalizers arent strong the bar will not be able to be pushed in a straight line without drifting. have you ever had a bar drift? once it starts it never stops.


BUT.....the person will be able to lift more on the freeweight exercise......but not a great deal more. (significantly less than if they focused on free weight)

yes you can build strength on a machine......but what crossover does it have?

 

[endpoint]

article by paul chek

http://www.testosterone.net/html/body_116patt.html

http://www.testosterone.net/html/body_117patt.html

yes yes i know its hosted by t-mag.com.....so what