Max weight-free weights vs machine (muscles, lifting weights, bench press, burns)
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I started lifting weights regularly about 2 months ago. I've noticed a huge difference in my max lifts using free weights vs the machine. It can't all be explained by stabilizer muscles...there's about 40 lb difference in my max!
I don't know the name of the machine but it has an actual bench (not a Smith machine) so I'm lying down.
Anyone experience the same thing? Is there a standard difference between free weights and machines? I only use the machine when I'm there alone but it has me really curious...
Could be the bar. The bar weighs 45 pounds by itself. If you are on a "machine" like the Hammer Strength, you are basically just lifting the weight (i.e., 4 45 pound plates) where if you were lifting the same 4 plates on a bar, you have to add in the 45 pounds that the bar weighs.
Its a common mistake not including the weight of the bar.
I'm not sure, but with the machines, you're usually using pulleys or a lever to move the weights. The actual numbers listed on the plates are probably correct, but using a machine to move them is different than picking up a free weight.
The important thing is not the number but the work you put into it. Comparing them by the numbers is like comparing apples and oranges. You just have to adjust for each as you do them.
I don't think you can ever fully trust what the actual weights say on the machines. If you're going to use them -- which a lot of people are against, but, meh, I use them -- just stay consistent with the machines, their weights, and track what you're lifting. Don't worry so much about the exact number. Worry more that you're progressing at all.
I started lifting weights regularly about 2 months ago. I've noticed a huge difference in my max lifts using free weights vs the machine. It can't all be explained by stabilizer muscles...there's about 40 lb difference in my max!
I don't know the name of the machine but it has an actual bench (not a Smith machine) so I'm lying down.
Anyone experience the same thing? Is there a standard difference between free weights and machines? I only use the machine when I'm there alone but it has me really curious...
I notice that I can bench more with the bar than the machines where you can push each side independently. My "stronger" side can't compensate for my "weaker" side on the machine.
Oh, you mean you can push more weight with free weights than with the machines?
What kind of machines are you talking about? Are these cable-weight machines or stacked-plate machines?
Nah it's the opposite.
Quote:
Originally Posted by yayoi
I notice that I can bench more with the bar than the machines where you can push each side independently. My "stronger" side can't compensate for my "weaker" side on the machine.
Interesting, that makes some sense. The machine I'm using is actually connected so my strong side can completely compensate. But on the bench I've got to push it straight up and have both side contributing a lot.
The other comments about not trusting the machines are true, but I was hoping there was some formula that could explain the difference. I suppose they're just unpredictable.
It wouldn't be so odd to have a 40lb difference if my max was 300 lbs! I'm actually not sure what my max is at this point but I can generally do about 5 reps of 180 with the machine or 135 on the actual bench.
The machines have so much variability with the pulleys / levers / etc. In my gym, we have 2 tricep pushdown machines within 10' of each other. On one, I can max out at 120 lbs. On the other I am able to use the entire stack at 190 lbs. As others said, just keep track of the plate you are using on a given machine and try to increase the weight or the reps on every workout.
Your max is always based one what you can bench press with free weights, not a machine.
Your scenrio is typical of everyone I have ever met.. they can all bench 300lbs on a machine.
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