Why are free weights and barbells better than machines?

[bud_2005]

I keep reading this like in magazines and hearing this from people. That you see much better results from free weights and such over machines. Why is this? I'm sure fitness centers are packed with machines for a reason. So whats the real deal?

 

[speed dawg]

Free weights use stabilizer muscles and you do more work per capita, thus less time in the gym. Machines are preferable to me while injured or trying to target a certain muscle. I personally like machines better for chest BECAUSE i've always had a problem building my chest with bench and incline press because I use my shoulders and tri's so much.

Free weights give you more functional strength, but it's really all a preference and what you're trying to accomplish.

 

[Skilla_Staz]

To add to speed dawg...Free weights allow free motion and you can generally increase to much higher weights than machines allow. Machines also restrict your motion quite a bit due to the fact that they're very limited in THEIR movements, and your body is forced to comply with the machines ROM.

 

[mrRuckus]

I'm sure fitness centers are packed with machines for a reason. ?

Public perception. People never learn free weight exercises properly. At that point machines probably are safer.

You know if a gym wasn't covered in machines people would think "this gym sucks."

 

[MrS]

Machines are safer for novices.

 

[speed dawg]

Public perception. People never learn free weight exercises properly. At that point machines probably are safer.

You know if a gym wasn't covered in machines people would think "this gym sucks."

Very good point.

However, I never really realized the benefit of machines until I was injured. Specifically for chest, I think I've added good mass without the strain on my previously torn rotator cuff. I'm a whole lot more sore after a machine chest workout than I was from bench and incline press, BB and DB.

 

[A-Unit]

Re:

It mimics what you would do with your body IN REAL LIFE. A machine is mechanical in its approach and can't replicate nearly as perfect as you can when lifting.

And when doing exercises, what's the ULTIMATE purpose of exercising?

Functionality. Looking good comes as a byproduct of a body that works properly and efficiently. For many, they choose aesthetics over function, but the end result is injuries.

Take a look at people who do upperbody versus the whole body or lower body. The legs/back are used MORE and INJURED more frequently, yet they choose the easy bench press and break their shoulders or injure rotator cuffs.

If you can't do free weights, start with machines. BUT, the end result is, you'll never get good with free weights UNTIL The moment you being using them, and EVEN if you go light to get into the FORM of using free weights, you're better off than going heavy with machines AND THEN having to switch later on and drop the weight anyways. Ultimately, if for some reason you're PERMANENTLY injured or super obese, then machines can be used for activity purposes. My brother can throw his shoulder out just by chucking a ball a few times, so for him to lie below a free weighted barbell is TOUGH, especially knowing he can pop it at anytime. He was dropped in wrestling on his shoulder and it's been weak ever since.

A-Unit

 

[protienpowder]

I always like to finish my workouts with a few sets on machines. This is when im too tired to keep good form or max out on free weights.

 

[Contender]

They are both equally important, and useful. Since free-weights are well supported, I will present a good reason why Machines must still be used.

The Reason

It isolates the specific muscle - thereby giving that muscle a well stimulated workout. The free-weights tend to rob that particular muscle from well-needed work by doling out the work amongst our various muscle fibers throughout our body.

I'm not saying machines are better, but they should be used to compliment a free weight workout to better benefit one's body.

 

[SELF-MASTERY]

I'm a free-weight lifter for life -- compound lifts > cable kick backs

 

[Kerpal]

Gyms have machines strictly for business purposes, they take up less room and less time to use, which means more members can use the equipment in less time, which means more money for the gym. They are also safer for beginners and stupid people since form isn't important on a machine.

However the machines are not as good as free weights because machines work only a few muscles at a time and you move the weight on a pre set path, both of which are unrealistic.

 

[mrRuckus]

They are both equally important, and useful. Since free-weights are well supported, I will present a good reason why Machines must still be used.

The Reason

It isolates the specific muscle - thereby giving that muscle a well stimulated workout. The free-weights tend to rob that particular muscle from well-needed work by doling out the work amongst our various muscle fibers throughout our body.

:crazy:

 

[grr]

I agree with contender, and everyone who doesn't is probably short.

From my personal experience lanky guys usually have trouble isolating muscles during lifts. I do compound workouts for my pecs like dips & bench, but its the butterfly presses on a machine that really makes them grow.

 

[tmpgstx]

I have to throw my 2c here. Machines are awesome. In recent years, the weight has been doubled or tripled on them. I've gotten quite big and ripped using mostly machines at 215lbs of solid ripped muscle mass. I'm moving up in weight very quickly - 20lbs every week or 2. It really is effective and efficient.

You can also do point of failure much better which is very important for muscle mass.