Freeweights vs. Machines

[Unusual]

Ok, so it's obvious that freeweights are more beneficial than machines at the gym. But, what are the advantages and disadvantages of both freeweights and machines?
Can one still achieve results while doing most excercises on machines? (Lat pulldown, rows, leg curls, leg extensions, triceps pulldowns, pectoral machine, adductor, abductor...)
What are good freeweight excercises i could use instead of those machine exercises?
tnx!

 

[jenn]

Free weights hit the stabilizers, this is really important.
Rows- bent over rows etc
Lat pulldown- pull ups
Pec dec- bench press, flys etc
tri pulldowns- skull crushers, french press etc
Forget the adductor and abductor stuff altogether
legs- squats, unilateral squats ( bulgarian split squats) RDL's etc

 

[Unusual]

Tnx for you answer jenn!
Why do you say 'forget adductor/abductors'?
How do i work those muscles?

 

[jenn]

Tnx for you answer jenn!
Why do you say 'forget adductor/abductors'?
How do i work those muscles?

You don't need to use those machinces they are usless. Your big compounds will work your muscles much better. Vary your stance and do some unilateral stuff, much better.

 

[trainerty]

Tnx for you answer jenn!
Why do you say 'forget adductor/abductors'?
How do i work those muscles?

Those muscles were never meant to be hit directly and hard like that. We (humans) have adductor muscles, but there are no such thing as abductors. So by design the equipment is flawed.
Adductors are stabilizer type muscles and shouldn't be hit directly. Movements like lunges (all sorts) and squats (as I believe Jenn said) will stimulate them adequately enough.

 

[tonymcclellan]

Free weights dominate because they allow a more natural range of motion. Cable machines are not all that bad because they offer the same benefits. Machines dictate the way you move the weight, which is not beneficial.