Please Scroll Down to See Forums Below I'm going to be finally signing up at the gym tomorrow to try and gain some muscle and loose some stubborn areas, I don't know anything (workouts) to do with weights. I know there are personal trainers at the gym, but do they come at an extra price and are they useless as some people have told me?
Personal Trainers at the Gym
- Thread starter karl2me2
- Start date
Goldprospector
New member
I don't know if I would mess with the trainer. You can find all of the information that you want on this forum and elsewhere on the internet. Heck since you are a beginner, you can even buy books at your local wholesale warehouse type stores.
pwr_machine
New member
I'm a personal trainer, and I wouldn't consider myself useless. 
Some gyms offer services for free when you're just getting started. The trainer would show you around and introduce you to some basic exercises.
It would probably serve you best to find a training program on Elite that you would like to try. Then, a personal trainer may be able to guide you in the "how to's" of exercise rather than the "what to do". I'm not sure if I would trust too many of them out there to write you an actual training cycle. I imagine that you'll get better results here.
Also, some do come at an extra cost that is quite expensive. I make pretty good money personal training. It really depends on your goals. And if you're lucky, it is possible to stumble upon a good personal trainer that knows his stuff. Get there experience, education, certifications, etc. Do they have experience with athletes, powerlifters, bodybuilders, etc.
You may also want to consider posting this in the Training Threads.
Some gyms offer services for free when you're just getting started. The trainer would show you around and introduce you to some basic exercises. It would probably serve you best to find a training program on Elite that you would like to try. Then, a personal trainer may be able to guide you in the "how to's" of exercise rather than the "what to do". I'm not sure if I would trust too many of them out there to write you an actual training cycle. I imagine that you'll get better results here.
Also, some do come at an extra cost that is quite expensive. I make pretty good money personal training. It really depends on your goals. And if you're lucky, it is possible to stumble upon a good personal trainer that knows his stuff. Get there experience, education, certifications, etc. Do they have experience with athletes, powerlifters, bodybuilders, etc.
You may also want to consider posting this in the Training Threads.
pwr_machine
New member
But you just can't beat a good trainer or coach when you find one.manny78 said:
pwr_machine
New member
Take a look at the training board. There several examples of training cycles in the Stickies at the top. Pick one that looks suitable for your goals. And then you could possibly use a trainer to teach you proper form, etc.karl2me2 said:
canadianhitman
Well-known member
You only need a trainer for the first little while to help show you the proper technique lifting. Once you've got that down pat, part ways with the trainer and go with the mountains of information available here.
TerminatorX
New member
I think PT's r good for an introduction into the basics of weight training to prevent injury more than anything else, but you onloy need them once or twice and thats all. From there it a learning curve that you must climb yourself. And the most important thing about training, is that everybody's body is different and for those reasons you need to listen to your body to inform yourself of what exercises are best and which are worst for you.
I am the same as you... I get nothing out of bench presses but if I use dumbell presses, I can increase the range of motion and more importantly the stretch across the pectorals, so you see it depends on your body, and the only way to learn is to dive in
Good luck bro
Peace
I am the same as you... I get nothing out of bench presses but if I use dumbell presses, I can increase the range of motion and more importantly the stretch across the pectorals, so you see it depends on your body, and the only way to learn is to dive in
Good luck bro
Peace
THEEGAME2544
New member
I'm a personal trainer as well, and wouldn't consider myself useless either. A lot of the guys are right, there is a lot of information available on Elitefitness in particular that will tell you everything you need to know. But like anything, it's a learning process. Reading books, trying different exercises etc.... But if your looking to possibly get advice from a personal trainer, than it's important to find a personal trainer who "looks the part" There are way too many personal trainers nowadays giving advice that are either fat greasy bastards who don't even look like they workout themselves, or you get the skinny personal trainers that don't even look like they've ever touched a weight. How is one supposed to take advice from someone who doesn't look like they even workout themselves. The main thing here is that your looking to better yourself physically, and need to find someone who looks like they've accomplished goals themselves. Sorry for ranting on the competition......but with that aside, like I said it's a learning process, everyone starts somewhere. Just soak up what ever you can 
I go to Gold's, while I've never used a personal trainer there, there are always guy/girl trainers walking around offering people help -- for no extra bucks.
Thats the way it should be(trainers help for free) I hate seeing trainers in my gym who look like shit and are telling people what to do. I know i wouldnt get trained by a person that doesnt look good. If your a person that needs motivation and someone to teach you than a trainers great but after a while there is no need unless they are really experienced.
pwr_machine
New member
Training is a big source of my income. I'm glad my services aren't free.
Generic MALE
New member
I never have used a trainer but certainly can see the need for one. I would get one if I was planning on competing. Someone to give objective feedback, to push you when you feel like coasting etc.
I am fairly disciplined. I have been in the gym for 45 minutes of cardio 4 days per week at 5 AM, and in the gym at lunchtime 4 days per week for lifting for an hour for the last 6 months. Same thing for the previous 6 months before that except for the cardio - I do cardio starting in March to cut up for summer.
Others have a harder time with discipline. If you are paying money for a trainer 5 days a week you will most likely be there. I can push myself fairly hard, hard enough for my purposes. Others do better with someone encouraging them. And if you want to compete I think trainers are indispensible.
I am fairly disciplined. I have been in the gym for 45 minutes of cardio 4 days per week at 5 AM, and in the gym at lunchtime 4 days per week for lifting for an hour for the last 6 months. Same thing for the previous 6 months before that except for the cardio - I do cardio starting in March to cut up for summer.
Others have a harder time with discipline. If you are paying money for a trainer 5 days a week you will most likely be there. I can push myself fairly hard, hard enough for my purposes. Others do better with someone encouraging them. And if you want to compete I think trainers are indispensible.
swampmoose
New member
your best bet is to start hitting the weights and find a partner who is close or better than your experience level and start pounding the weights.
power machine is right, you can't beat a good trainer or coach or person who is always there to push you, God knows I wish I could find a good, reliable partner.
power machine is right, you can't beat a good trainer or coach or person who is always there to push you, God knows I wish I could find a good, reliable partner.
BTW, I know this is a stupid question, but how does a gym work clothing wise, is there a locker room and you bring clothes and change, or do you change at home and work out and such. Also what is a good amount of time to go to the gym? 40minutes to an hour 3 times a week? Or more? (Not including cardio which I will do at home)
THEEGAME2544
New member
Most have locker rooms, but it's easiest to just wear your workout clothes to the gym. And usually try to keep workouts 45 minutes too 60 minutes.....that's plenty of time if your focused on your training.
SofaGeorge
New member
it's not that personal trainers are useless - it's that there are so many bad personal trainers. It'd kick ass to have Charles Glass training you. It'd suck to have some idiot training you.
supreme
New member
Are trainers useless - yes & no - DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON THE TRAINER AND YOUR GOALS.
I am a trainer, but I stand out in my gym not because of my size or definition ( there are guys way bigger and more ripped than me ) but due to my knowledge.
It all depends on what you want your trainer to do - a basic workout, bodybuilding, sports training or rehab. Most trainers specialize in one area or maybe 2
I spend thousands of dollars on education, certification and specialized training programs so I can handle multiple areas. I also spend hundreds of hours :watching training technique videos, video lectures on nutrition etc. Reading books, journals and mags. I also spend hours searching and reading posts at Elite Fitness for the latest drug & supplement info.
Most trainers can do the basic workout and diet - I found that to gain the respect of the "big" guys and the average member I had to be able to instruct on any level (show them some kick ass exercises - not these bullshit machines!) and be able to answer their questions including different cycles & supplements etc.
Your best bet is to talk to a few, if they don't know shit about diet, supplements, drugs - pass on them. If they only show machines and very basic exercises and perform no sort of movement testing and evaluation - ignore them, you can learn more from a book or video. To start a workout routine with no postural, movement & flexibility assesments will just lead to poor form and injury later on - I AM SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!! - I am paying for a lot of ART therapy due to my early meathead days
If they only have an ACE certification and read muscle & fitness - take them outside and kick their ass! - Also kick the ass of the moron who hired them as well because he/she must be an idiot and knows nothing about training!
Things to look for:
College education, work experience, sports background
Certification by: NSCA, NASM, CHEK, or USAW (these are the top organizations for practical training & assemsnts; but they don't provide nutrition or drug info)
What do their clients look like - can they show you before & after pictures with testimonials of CURRENT members who you can contact (some trainers don't look as good as their clients because they spend more time training others & studying than working out - although they should not be FAT!)
Can they honsetly and intelligently answer your questions, yet be humble enough to refer you to an expert in situations where they can't help?
what is their reputation among members and the staff, it should be a mix of admiration, trust and dislike - dislike in that the trainers and members who don't know shit (>90%) and are too stuck up or narrow minded and will be enveous and jealous of the top trainers.
Do they train with themselves with free weights (takes more knowledge, skill, motor control & coordination than using machines)
Do they full squat, bench press, deadlift & do pullups and dips? Can they properly teach olympic lifts? - These and their derivatives are the best strength, mass exercies and have applications in most sports and rehab situations AND THEY WORK WELL WITH WOMEN AND THE ELDERLY - ALBIET AT LOWER LOADS & INTENSITIES!
These are just some things to think about!
Later!
I am a trainer, but I stand out in my gym not because of my size or definition ( there are guys way bigger and more ripped than me ) but due to my knowledge.
It all depends on what you want your trainer to do - a basic workout, bodybuilding, sports training or rehab. Most trainers specialize in one area or maybe 2
I spend thousands of dollars on education, certification and specialized training programs so I can handle multiple areas. I also spend hundreds of hours :watching training technique videos, video lectures on nutrition etc. Reading books, journals and mags. I also spend hours searching and reading posts at Elite Fitness for the latest drug & supplement info.
Most trainers can do the basic workout and diet - I found that to gain the respect of the "big" guys and the average member I had to be able to instruct on any level (show them some kick ass exercises - not these bullshit machines!) and be able to answer their questions including different cycles & supplements etc.
Your best bet is to talk to a few, if they don't know shit about diet, supplements, drugs - pass on them. If they only show machines and very basic exercises and perform no sort of movement testing and evaluation - ignore them, you can learn more from a book or video. To start a workout routine with no postural, movement & flexibility assesments will just lead to poor form and injury later on - I AM SPEAKING FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!! - I am paying for a lot of ART therapy due to my early meathead days
If they only have an ACE certification and read muscle & fitness - take them outside and kick their ass! - Also kick the ass of the moron who hired them as well because he/she must be an idiot and knows nothing about training!
Things to look for:
College education, work experience, sports background
Certification by: NSCA, NASM, CHEK, or USAW (these are the top organizations for practical training & assemsnts; but they don't provide nutrition or drug info)
What do their clients look like - can they show you before & after pictures with testimonials of CURRENT members who you can contact (some trainers don't look as good as their clients because they spend more time training others & studying than working out - although they should not be FAT!)
Can they honsetly and intelligently answer your questions, yet be humble enough to refer you to an expert in situations where they can't help?
what is their reputation among members and the staff, it should be a mix of admiration, trust and dislike - dislike in that the trainers and members who don't know shit (>90%) and are too stuck up or narrow minded and will be enveous and jealous of the top trainers.
Do they train with themselves with free weights (takes more knowledge, skill, motor control & coordination than using machines)
Do they full squat, bench press, deadlift & do pullups and dips? Can they properly teach olympic lifts? - These and their derivatives are the best strength, mass exercies and have applications in most sports and rehab situations AND THEY WORK WELL WITH WOMEN AND THE ELDERLY - ALBIET AT LOWER LOADS & INTENSITIES!
These are just some things to think about!
Later!
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fistfullofsteel
Well-known member
at my gym have sucky bodies. i want to see one that is jacked up on juice and built like a tank.
Singleton
New member
Most of the trainers I've seen are pussies with pussy workouts.
I learned a lot from reading magazines like M & F and flex and also from watching well-developed people train.
You can watch others train in the gym to see how they do form. Also, it's good to chat with people to learn about all sorts of things from different training approaches, postworkout nutrition, exercise execution, training philosophy, and routine development.
I learned a lot from reading magazines like M & F and flex and also from watching well-developed people train.
You can watch others train in the gym to see how they do form. Also, it's good to chat with people to learn about all sorts of things from different training approaches, postworkout nutrition, exercise execution, training philosophy, and routine development.
As I said, join Gold's or find a gym with free personal trainers on staff BUT it doesn't hurt to hire a trainer for a fee for a week or so who can point out trouble spots................................
C
Citruscide
Guest
You'll more than likely get a better response for this in the training section... I'm moving this over there to better help you out.
C-ditty
C-ditty
louden_swain
New member
I love the avatar Citrus!!
How could you hate a guy like this. . you can't!!!
As for finding someone who is jacked. . .find a gym with powerlifters or competitive bodybuilders.
How could you hate a guy like this. . you can't!!!
As for finding someone who is jacked. . .find a gym with powerlifters or competitive bodybuilders.
Most Pt's assume that beginning clients can't handle freeweights -- and they're often correct.
I'm a PT and have trained a few people, most of which were absolute beginners.
I tried putting them on freeweights, and it tanked miserably. After 2-3 sessions they still didn't have an inkling of how to do the moves correctly. So I put them on machines...a lot of cable pulley stuff so they still have to balance, etc.
Those of us who have been lifting for awhile underestimate the quality of our mind-body connection... we have an above-average ability to control and isolate the various motions of our bodies.
I'm a PT and have trained a few people, most of which were absolute beginners.
I tried putting them on freeweights, and it tanked miserably. After 2-3 sessions they still didn't have an inkling of how to do the moves correctly. So I put them on machines...a lot of cable pulley stuff so they still have to balance, etc.
Those of us who have been lifting for awhile underestimate the quality of our mind-body connection... we have an above-average ability to control and isolate the various motions of our bodies.
supreme
New member
Karl:
Go ahead and post the workout - I am sure everyone is curious as to what he gave you?
A FAT trainer ??? This is my opinion regarding a fat trainer:
He dosen't know or care about nutrition, supplementation etc.
He is lazy with no will power or self control!
He is severly lacking in personal pride, ethics & professionalism
- How can he inspire you to workout and change your body if he is fat tub of crap and takes no pride in his appearence!
How can he be professional?? - he wears his resume everyday, if he cannot train himself - how can he train you?? Everything he puts on paper is worthless if he dose not live it himself!
Ethically - how can he take money from you & others and ask you to trust and believe him if can't be a role model and practice what he preaches?? Fucking hippocrite!!
Besides being a trainer, I am also the Director of my Dept. - and while few of the trainers look like competitive bodybuilders (not a hardcore gym) - NONE ARE FAT and all workout regularly and are lean and athletic.
A FAT trainer never makes it to a second interview with me! (also a stupid, uneducated trainer dosen't make it either!) Every year my staff including me participates in a staff shape up challenge to keep improving and learning what really works!
looking forward to seeing FAT BASTARD"s workout - I need a good laugh (actually maybe I'll be surprised and it will be o.k. but who knows if he created it or just copied from a book or the web?)
I will post the appropriate questions to ask him about the workout and if he can answer them with a correct / detailed explanation you will know if he is intelligent - although that means he is smart, but lazy with no personal pride!
I am assuming he did no movement, postural or flexibilty assessment? - If that's the case, watchout He probably is clueless about how train people and just copies the bullshit routines from muscle & fiction (fitness?)
I know of 3 basic tests that can be performed in 10 minutes or less that will give anyone a gross overall indication of how your body is functioning and what you need to do to have effective workouts without injury
Later!
Go ahead and post the workout - I am sure everyone is curious as to what he gave you?
A FAT trainer ??? This is my opinion regarding a fat trainer:
He dosen't know or care about nutrition, supplementation etc.
He is lazy with no will power or self control!
He is severly lacking in personal pride, ethics & professionalism
- How can he inspire you to workout and change your body if he is fat tub of crap and takes no pride in his appearence!
How can he be professional?? - he wears his resume everyday, if he cannot train himself - how can he train you?? Everything he puts on paper is worthless if he dose not live it himself!
Ethically - how can he take money from you & others and ask you to trust and believe him if can't be a role model and practice what he preaches?? Fucking hippocrite!!
Besides being a trainer, I am also the Director of my Dept. - and while few of the trainers look like competitive bodybuilders (not a hardcore gym) - NONE ARE FAT and all workout regularly and are lean and athletic.
A FAT trainer never makes it to a second interview with me! (also a stupid, uneducated trainer dosen't make it either!) Every year my staff including me participates in a staff shape up challenge to keep improving and learning what really works!
looking forward to seeing FAT BASTARD"s workout - I need a good laugh (actually maybe I'll be surprised and it will be o.k. but who knows if he created it or just copied from a book or the web?)
I will post the appropriate questions to ask him about the workout and if he can answer them with a correct / detailed explanation you will know if he is intelligent - although that means he is smart, but lazy with no personal pride!
I am assuming he did no movement, postural or flexibilty assessment? - If that's the case, watchout He probably is clueless about how train people and just copies the bullshit routines from muscle & fiction (fitness?)
I know of 3 basic tests that can be performed in 10 minutes or less that will give anyone a gross overall indication of how your body is functioning and what you need to do to have effective workouts without injury
Later!
He's not a trainer, he owns the gym. The other guy, who looked like he lifted weights, but is old (looked over 45, maybe 50) wasn't there.
I don't know the names of everything to I'll try to explain some, all are machines.
3 sets, 10 reps for the following
5 Minute warmup
10 Minute stretching
Something where you lift a chest press thing but up (Shoulders?Back?)
Chest Press
Facing towards the plate you grab two bars in front of you and extend so your arms fully extended towards your sides (Shoulders/Back)
Same machine but you face the opposite ways with the bars at your size and make the bars come together (Like butterfly, but now)
Tricep extention (Elbows at side, pull down on bar, return to 90 degrees)
Lat Pull Down
3 sets of 12 for the following
Leg Press
Leg Extention
Using Leg Press machine, put your feet at the end of the thing, heels down, then toes up, for calves
Then something to work out the back of your legs, lie down and extend it till you nearly touch your back
20 Minutes of Cardio
Also said crunches and crunches with a twist
I may have missed one or two things but that is most of it
I don't know the names of everything to I'll try to explain some, all are machines.
3 sets, 10 reps for the following
5 Minute warmup
10 Minute stretching
Something where you lift a chest press thing but up (Shoulders?Back?)
Chest Press
Facing towards the plate you grab two bars in front of you and extend so your arms fully extended towards your sides (Shoulders/Back)
Same machine but you face the opposite ways with the bars at your size and make the bars come together (Like butterfly, but now)
Tricep extention (Elbows at side, pull down on bar, return to 90 degrees)
Lat Pull Down
3 sets of 12 for the following
Leg Press
Leg Extention
Using Leg Press machine, put your feet at the end of the thing, heels down, then toes up, for calves
Then something to work out the back of your legs, lie down and extend it till you nearly touch your back
20 Minutes of Cardio
Also said crunches and crunches with a twist
I may have missed one or two things but that is most of it
bds20002002
New member
find the hot aerobice chick. and tell her during the training sessions you want her to wear her thinest gstring,
Female trainers love that.
BTW. When leaving the gym, look for the trainers that are taking a smoke break. they are the best.
Female trainers love that.
BTW. When leaving the gym, look for the trainers that are taking a smoke break. they are the best.
D
Debaser
Guest
fistfullofsteel said:
A lot of trainers on juice somehow are oblivious to the fact that the people they train won't progress the same as them, if at all.
When my gf and I joined our gym, we were looking for some guidance and instruction. We watched the trainers for a couple weeks to see how they worked before we approached one of them. You can learn an awful lot more about them by watching than you can by talking to them. When you sit down to talk, they're in sales mode. Regardless of whether or not you will work well together, they're going to want you to commit to X number of sessions with them. I can't blame them for this, they're usually under pressure from the gym to train a certain number of hours a week/month. By watching the trainers, or by asking one of them for a spot or how to use a particular machine, you can learn a lot more about them. Training sure isn't cheap (I paid $75.00 an hour) and if it doesn't work out well, it's a waste of your money and their time. Do your homework, and then ask to talk to the trainers that interest you first. Good luck!
supreme
New member
O.k. to make it short and sweet -its hard to tell what he gave you exactly:
Warm up - o.k. but did he determine your target heart and explain it to you?
Stretching - maybe - but you only need to stretch tight muscles before a workout - to stretch a normal length muscle makes it overly lengthend and weak. With no movement evaluation you will not know what to stretch
All machines - what a lame workout, this will definately lead to muscle imbalances, poor control and lack of coordinated movement! - as well as boredom (the good thing is that you will have plenty of company from the aerobics chicks who are terrified of free weights and the elderly - take a good look a the uncoordinted, unstable, slow moving people on most machines - you will be one very soon if you continue on this program)
20 min cardio post work out - o.k. but again what about target heart rate??
The rest is hard to decipher but it sounds like a cookie cutter, basic bodybuilding routine (a realy piss poor one). If you are happy with it , o.k. - but I would NOT pay for any more training from him. I would hire a qualified trainer (see my earlier post) or buy some good books & videos. - I think this bozo is absolutely clueless about training etc.
Of couse that is my opinion, but I believe that 2 Master's degrees in exercise science and sports perfromance and 7 national certifications, plus thousands of practical hours, training, lecturing, attending lectures & seminars, interning in cardiac rehab wards & physical therapy centers allows me to make that call.
I definately agree with Kevdog to watch how trainers train themselves in fact I mentioned this in my earlier posts. He is right that trainers are in "sales mode" - but in my gym we come from the idea that if money is not a concern (very affluent area) and I give you the best workout (we give 3 free sessions to each new member) you ever had and can show you what you need to improve and how to do it safely to reach your goals why wouldn't you sign up for more?
I have never had to ask a client if they were interested in personal training - they are all referred to me or ask me at the end of the 3rd session to arrange training.
Hope your workouts go well and keep posting questions that you have - that's what this board is here for!
Later!
Warm up - o.k. but did he determine your target heart and explain it to you?
Stretching - maybe - but you only need to stretch tight muscles before a workout - to stretch a normal length muscle makes it overly lengthend and weak. With no movement evaluation you will not know what to stretch
All machines - what a lame workout, this will definately lead to muscle imbalances, poor control and lack of coordinated movement! - as well as boredom (the good thing is that you will have plenty of company from the aerobics chicks who are terrified of free weights and the elderly - take a good look a the uncoordinted, unstable, slow moving people on most machines - you will be one very soon if you continue on this program)
20 min cardio post work out - o.k. but again what about target heart rate??
The rest is hard to decipher but it sounds like a cookie cutter, basic bodybuilding routine (a realy piss poor one). If you are happy with it , o.k. - but I would NOT pay for any more training from him. I would hire a qualified trainer (see my earlier post) or buy some good books & videos. - I think this bozo is absolutely clueless about training etc.
Of couse that is my opinion, but I believe that 2 Master's degrees in exercise science and sports perfromance and 7 national certifications, plus thousands of practical hours, training, lecturing, attending lectures & seminars, interning in cardiac rehab wards & physical therapy centers allows me to make that call.
I definately agree with Kevdog to watch how trainers train themselves in fact I mentioned this in my earlier posts. He is right that trainers are in "sales mode" - but in my gym we come from the idea that if money is not a concern (very affluent area) and I give you the best workout (we give 3 free sessions to each new member) you ever had and can show you what you need to improve and how to do it safely to reach your goals why wouldn't you sign up for more?
I have never had to ask a client if they were interested in personal training - they are all referred to me or ask me at the end of the 3rd session to arrange training.
Hope your workouts go well and keep posting questions that you have - that's what this board is here for!
Later!
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karl2me2 said:
I don't think it's necessarily a bad starting point, but I will tell you this:
After spending my first couple of months lifting using strictly machines, I moved on to dumbells, barbells, and a few cable exercises - and I wish I'd done it much sooner.
I got better quality results, faster gains, and learned a lot more about my body and what goes into the lifts themselves.
Machines can be an excellent place to get started, but also don't be afraid to learn with free weights because it really is a different ballgame.
pwr_machine
New member
I haven't kept a client on machines longer than 2 weeks. I've trained dozens of people ranging in age from 9 to 59. It makes absolutely no since to use machines for an extended period of time. Machines should be used for teaching tools, not workouts. You can't beat the stability you get from free weights and the feeling of satisfaction from controlling the weight.
supreme
New member
The workout is not that horrible if you like it and it gets you to the gym. It just ignores (like many trainers do) a proper movement assesment before you begin.
Also the machines are an o.k teaching tool but they usually don't allow the body to function in an integrated fashion and they don't improve balance, coordination and stability
You can take a complete motor moron and put them on a machine and after 1 or 2 sets their form is perfect like they have been doing it all their life.
It all depends on your goals; if they happen to be sports related or are intended to improve movement then you are wasting your time.
You mentioned that you recently lost 60 pounds - that's GREAT!, if you need or wish to lose more, than free weights and some cables are the way to go because the more muscles you use in an exercise, the more calories you burn. I.E. you burn more calories standing and controling a free weight movement than sitting on a machine. Also you use more muscles with free weight and bodyweight exercises so you strengthen and develop more muscles
The first thing I teach people especially women, that if you want to lose fat - GET OFF YOUR ASS!
don't expect gym owners and managers to understand this, they love machines because more machines usually bring in more members - I have been repremanded by my general manager for not giving enough machines to people - but once I explain my position and how that a certain machine would make their injuries worse and the club liable the matter was dropped.
I use very few machines (but lots of adjustable cable columns), and none of my clients complain because I explain and demonstrate how my exercise is superior and they get great workouts
Good Luck!
Also the machines are an o.k teaching tool but they usually don't allow the body to function in an integrated fashion and they don't improve balance, coordination and stability
You can take a complete motor moron and put them on a machine and after 1 or 2 sets their form is perfect like they have been doing it all their life.
It all depends on your goals; if they happen to be sports related or are intended to improve movement then you are wasting your time.
You mentioned that you recently lost 60 pounds - that's GREAT!, if you need or wish to lose more, than free weights and some cables are the way to go because the more muscles you use in an exercise, the more calories you burn. I.E. you burn more calories standing and controling a free weight movement than sitting on a machine. Also you use more muscles with free weight and bodyweight exercises so you strengthen and develop more muscles
The first thing I teach people especially women, that if you want to lose fat - GET OFF YOUR ASS!
don't expect gym owners and managers to understand this, they love machines because more machines usually bring in more members - I have been repremanded by my general manager for not giving enough machines to people - but once I explain my position and how that a certain machine would make their injuries worse and the club liable the matter was dropped.
I use very few machines (but lots of adjustable cable columns), and none of my clients complain because I explain and demonstrate how my exercise is superior and they get great workouts
Good Luck!
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