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 Anabolic Discussion Board
 Hammerstrength or free weights?
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| Author | Topic: Hammerstrength or free weights? | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder 
Posts: 146 |
Your preference? I personally get a better pump out of hammerstrength, at least most of them. What do you like? What do you think the conversion ratio is, for example if one uses 315 on free weights, how many plates would he need on hammerstrength and vise versa.     | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 282 |
I use hammer strength alot when I am dieting down and dont have the energy to fight balancing the bar or dumbells. I do think it is easier, so I don't do it much. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder 
Posts: 478 |
Both for a balanced body. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 146 |
There is no doubt that free weights are harder. First, because you have to balance the bar, not just push it up. Second, the vector of movement is directly against gravity, especially on bench. You are pushing the weight straight up, a 100% against gravity. When you work with hammer strength, you can not cheat. The muscle worked is isolated in a better way than free weights. Are you pushing against gravity? Not 100% but pretty close. I like the isolation and the safety hammer strength provides. I am just wondering if there is such a thing as a conversion ratio between free weights and hammerstrength. Any opinions? | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 282 |
Each machine would vary, on the lat pulldown the weights do go almost straight up and down. BTW I do use that one alot. | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder 
Posts: 789 |
I don't think anything can subtitute free weights....I tend to alternate my work out to shock my muscles into growing...so they don't get used to one routine. This is basically how I do it: 1 month barbells, 1 month dumbells, 1 month dumbells/hammerstrength (usually when I'm cutting)....then back to barbells. Of course there are some exceptions. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 402 |
I only ever move away from the free weights when I'm either injured or the move I want to do is crowded in the free weight area and free on the hammersmith. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 146 |
I just spoke to hammerstrength, they said that they design all their equipment to mimic free weights as much as possible. They balance and counter balance the arms of their machines to make sure that you are working with straight weight. What you put on is what you get. What I like about dumbells and hammerstrength, is that your movemnt is not restricted as with barbells. For example, straight bench press, using a barbell, you lose your pecs towards the end of the movement, you ar eno longer squeezing your pecs, more shoulders and tris. Dumbells and hammerstrengh let you bring your arms in at the end of the movement, maximizing pecs. Makes any sense? | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 363 |
Hammer strenth makes good stuff. The chest machines wear out my shoulders too quick though. Use a mix. | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1287 |
The controlled movements of most Hammer Strength equipment messes with my shoulders too much so I avoid them. I'm a dumbbell guy. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 146 |
My problem is that my gym's dumbells stop at 85, way too light. I go there for the view, not for their hardcore equipment. My alternative is hammerstrength and freeweights combo. I wish I could go heavy on dumbells. I was just curious because I was doing four plates on each side on the incline hammerstrength, I got eight good reps out of it. I'd be scared to do same weight on free weights, way too prone for injuries. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 464 |
I'd estimate that you can lift roughly 75% of the workload on freeweights that you can lift on hammer. No matter what anybody says, it does lock you into a single plane of movement (like a smith machine); your stabilizers don't get worked as well and you lift in one groove, which can lead to injury when you go back to freeweights. Remember also that the arms on HammerStrength don't weigh 45 - 55 lbs. (combined) either, for chest machines, they weigh 10 lbs. an arm. If you're serious about lifting, I think Hammer has its place -- primarily for use when you are injured, tired or finishing off -- or for an OCCASIONAL change of pace. I do like lifting on them though, it is a lot of fun to get under that many plates -- great ego boost. However, no matter how hard I've hit Hammer, I never get quite the same feeling of soreness that I do from freeweights. For the abovementioned reasons I surmise. ------------------ Copyright � 2001 TheMachine Company, Inc. | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 235 |
I combine them. I alternate routines about every 3 weeks. For three weeks I hit nothing but bells and the following 3 I hit some bells with hammer. It's a good way to hit muscles in a different fashion. I feel that my muscles get used to the motion really quickly so I have to change often to see better results | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 523 |
The ratio can't be 1:1 because I can do the equivalent to 405 on Hammer decline for 8 reps and I'm not sure I could even get a double with 405 on freeweight decline. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 146 |
DocJ, I agree, but... What percentage of your energy goes to balance when you do free weights? What percentage of power goes to plain lifting the weight? Yes, you can not lift as much in free weights, I agree. | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 523 |
Quite a bit I imagine... I rotate: hammer, barbell, and dumbbell. ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 193 |
well as for their flat bench, I think the movement is a little differnt. almost more like a fly movement. I think the weight differnce is off around 30 pounds compared to free weights. Its not as off compared to smith machine, and when I get on that my bench goes up like 50 pounds, so I assume the hammer is around that 25-30 off. this just for flat bench. Other problem with the hammer is you can only pack one 5 plates each side(450lbs) I do however likethat you dont have to worry about getting that weight stuck on top of you, and I like that each side is idependent. ------------------
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 291 |
i alternate one day on free weights, then the next time i work that body part i go to hammer-- i like them both -- but im more impressive on hammer-- tomo | ||
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Pro Bodybuilder
Posts: 478 |
You won�t grow with machines. Lift heavy free wights!!!! ------------------ | ||
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Amateur Bodybuilder
Posts: 150 |
Free weights all the way without a doubt! ------------------ | ||
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Elite Bodybuilder
Posts: 1310 |
quote:
GOD SOMETIMES YOU GUYS MAKE ME SMILE!!! BY THE WAY A MUSCLE CELL HAS NO BRAIN AND NO EYES FOR THAT MATTER SO IT REALLY WON'T BE ABLE TO KNOW IT'S A MACHINE UNLESS YOU TELL IT. ------------------ |
All times are ET (US) | |
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posted February 02, 2001 10:28 AM
