Weight machines Vs. Free weights

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spark911

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I am looking at building most of my top body muscles (arms, chest, abs, back) and at the moment am only using the machines that work specific muscles (at the gym) - are these a good way to start?

I don't really want to venture over to the free weights as I doubt I'd be able to lift anything worthwhile. My plan is to use these machines until I'm almost at the top weights (most go to 90-120K) and I've gone from about 20 to the 40-50s, so I'm moving up. Just wondering if this is the best idea for now?
 
I personally would use free weights. Even if you have to use light weights that is fine. Just lift with strict form and get used to performing the exercises. Your strength will increase in time.
 
Spark we all start somewhere. jpc is right get your form dowm with free weights and work up from there. Machines do not allow the stablizers to get worked so you will not really get stronger, atleast not in any functional way. Think about the things you do everyday and how you move. Think about how your body works, then look at the way the machines make you move, huge difference. Don't worry about getting into the free weights trust me its the best thing you'll ever do :D
 
jenn said:
Spark we all start somewhere. jpc is right get your form dowm with free weights and work up from there. Machines do not allow the stablizers to get worked so you will not really get stronger, atleast not in any functional way. Think about the things you do everyday and how you move. Think about how your body works, then look at the way the machines make you move, huge difference. Don't worry about getting into the free weights trust me its the best thing you'll ever do :D
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I love you, Jenn.:p You just put it so beautifully.
 
Compound lifts work multiple muscles. Examples are sqauts, deadlifts, benchpress.

You get your compound movements done as the main part of your workout then get onto isolation movements, such as dumbell curls and skullcrushers which target one specific muscle.

Just to confuse matters, when you train with free weights, because your body does all the work, you train stabalising muscles and tissue when you train which is an added benefit you do not get from machines.

Skip the machines, hit the free weights for good growth, strength and power.
 
yeah skip the machines buddy, you like your progress a lot better. the machines are just conveinient sP? you may use the machines every now and then but don't let your body get too used to it. just take a look at the guys at the gym look at the guys that are just strictly machines, usually old people,people doing therapy, & people that are just starting out.
 
Agree. Machines are good if you're injured or really want to cut up a certain part (maybe the pec deck, but even that, controlled butterflies will stress you more).
Free weights teach you balance and stabilization and prevent one side of your body getting bigger or stronger than the other.
Bench Press, Squats are key. Be careful with deadlifts, have an expert or trainer show you proper form. Doing a deadlift improperly can really mess you up.
 
squats and deadlifts both can do bad things to your lower back if you're not using proper form.

also on both of these, you should never force a rep if you're feeling weak or like your form might suffer on that rep. It only takes one heavy rep with a curved back to do serious damage. better to call it quits at 5 reps than try to hit 6 and become permanently disabled.

but, by the same token, building a strong lower back with these two moves is a great way to prevent injury! specifically from sports and daily stuff.
strong abs are important too.
 
I ALMOST totally agree with everything said thus far. I'm a FIRM believer in free weigths...and we've all just read the benefits of them. It's not even that I really disagree with anything...I guess it's just a personal opinion. I do use machines to define and push my muscles past the normal limitations of the stabalizers. For example: Leg Press - You can push up TONS of weight with the leg press because it takes out the limiting factor of your lower back and stabalizers. I can leg press 1,200 pounds while I don't like to go over 315 pounds on squat. Also, leg extensions and leg curls. Love those machines to death...but again, just personal opinion
 
spark911 said:
Thanks for the replies, but what do you mean by this?
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Multi-jointed lifts.

Example, the squat pulls in the knees and hips.
 
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