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Did you even take the time to read the reasons I just wrote or you're just trolling ? If you just google "advantages of machines vs free weight" you get thousands of results. Just an example from the good website BeingHealthy.TV :
"What are the disadvantages of using free weights?
Even though free weights have many advantages, they also have some disadvantages.
May require a spotter: With light weights you should be fine, but safely lifting heavy weights requires a spotter.
More potential for injuries: Weights sometimes slip while being picked up, exercised with or put away, potentially resulting in injury.
Proper technique is essential: It is important to learn how to lift free weights correctly to prevent strain or injury. And it takes time to master lifting techniques, especially if you will be lifting heavy weights. If that is your goal, consider hiring an exercise specialist to show you how to lift properly and to work with you on several occasions to insure that you have the technique mastered.
What are the advantages of resistance machines?
Machines definitely have their place in the strength training world. Here are some of their advantages:
Easy to use: Machines guide your movements, which makes it easier to learn to use them properly. They can also be adjusted quickly and easily.
Safer: Weights are held in place by stacks. That reduces, but doesn’t eliminate the risk of injury due to improper form. It also eliminates the chance of injury due to a dropped weight.
Muscles are isolated more efficiently: Machines allow you to target specific muscles through their full range of motion without using other muscle groups for stabilization."
Perhaps I should be more specific. There are no advantages to using machines over free weights when it comes to building strength.
Perhaps I should be more specific. There are no advantages to using machines over free weights when it comes to building strength.
OK my bad, I agree on this one. The main benefits about machines are about safety (especially for people who don't have the good lifting techniques) and the isolation, but certainly not on the pure strength / muscle building aspect
-Machines often do not allow for the actual movement required for a proper lift. A bench press for example is not straight up and down, yet that is what many machines, including the smith machine, do.
-A machine does not contribute to those stabilizer muscles, those muscle combinations that a person incorporates to keep a load steady as the movement is performed.
-A machine often only isolates a few muscle groups to perform the movement, which is counter to the purpose of the movement to build strength.
Machines do have their purposes, people with injuries, rehabilitation, medical issues, etc. However if you notice, many people like machines because they are "easier", more "convenient."
If a person wants to use a machine, at least just use the cable machines. They allow free movement for the lift. Same with those dip machines and pull up machines, in which they are only subtracting weight from the movement so you can perform the movement, the movement itself is free from constraints.
As for the safety thing: I have no idea why so many people are so paranoid over free weights and safety. The only lift that needs a spotter is the bench press and decline bench press, and even at that, I rarely see a bench press that does not have safeties on it. Every other lift you can bail on or safely lower it.
Just asking a legitimate question. Many hardcore strength training people abhor machines and I'm just wondering why. My strength program is probably 70% free weights/body weight/etc. but I do find machines to be easier to use on my own. There are actually some machines that I've found useful, such as the Hammer line of chest presses and the preacher curl. I have arthritis and traditional squats hurt so i primarily use the seated leg press machine.
No one hates machines.
I've been lifting all my life as has my husband and we use both.
Generally speaking, free weights require more core stability and you work more muscles.
That is about the only difference.
Personally, I prefer a Smith Machine to the rack.
I can work out my tris much better on a machine than with free weights.
Both are effective if done properly. Both offer risk of injury for different reasons. I could run with bad form and injure my hip.
Several years ago, I joined Golds Gym for a summer. Mr Cardio Boy here wanted to change things up. So after 2+ decades of mostly cardio with a sprinkling of resistance work on my Hoist V5, at 54 I decided to lift. I wanted to give it a whirl and see what I could do to a 5'10.5" 155 lb body, someone who has never had a weight issue. About 1/2 year in, I was happy with my progress. On my 5th set of 5x5's on deadlift I was up to 345 lbs, and on squat 225 lbs, all free weight. I used the power rack to avoid injury, studied proper form, and didn't experience an injury. Then one day jumping rope I fully ruptured the Achilles.
IMO, the importance is proper technique for the exercise at hand. Machines can be effective if used properly. Some machines may constrict body movement, but it still doesn't mean they aren't doing anything. Why hate on machines (unless you're watching a Terminator movie)? The Hoist V5 has allowed me to do some resistance work at home on my own.
Stop being a douche, the man is 69 years old, I wish that you can have such shape at that age. Besides, based on the pic you've shown, the problem is not about the muscles, it's about the bodyfat percentage, which has nothing to do with the efficiency of the workout. It's about diet and metabolism. Geez...
As for the safety thing: I have no idea why so many people are so paranoid over free weights and safety.
We will talk about it when you will turn 50 or even 45
I suggest you check the great Youtube channel called Athlean-X : the host (who is a physiotherapist) has dozens of vids to explain how to not snap some sh*t when you workout, based on his professional experience. So let's not underestimate the injury risk shall we.
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