Do you use machines or free weights

[Locust]

I was wondering what you all use and what kind of results you get. I am currently using machines, but am thinking of switching to free weight.

 

[Blakeb155]

I just use free weights, can't be bothered to buy machines.

 

[Locust]

I go to the gym so that I don't have to buy all that expensive crap. It is only $15.00 a month and they have a heck of a lot of equipment. But every time I go I see the men over on the free weights and the women using the machines. I think I will save my ego and switch to freeweights.

 

[Kommie]

I prefer free weights, but machines such as the bowflex I had a free trial on. Generally provide better faster results. I would seriously save up for a bowflex, and buy some creatine and protein shakes, maybe some andro too. You will get ripped quick.

I havent worked out in months though, getting some fat(the standard freshman 15 nonsense) and cant see my abs anymore so I am going to start up again.

 

[Danimal]

Whenever I do a workout at the school gym (Sadly, it is a small shed the size of a bedroom ) I use both free wieghts and machines.

 

[Steve]

I like free weights...

I mean, if there's no real danger that you'll totally screw up your tendons and ligaments (I've totally screwed up my shoulders for life with my outrageously bad military press form, which I've now stopped), what's the point?

 

[johnnypoopoopant]

its all about the free wieghts, it works better for me

 

[f|uke]

I use a combination of both. I generally hit the free weights first to maximize my stabilizer workout, then switch to the machines to make sure I really nail the large muscles.

 

[Asuka]

Both. Forgot that option.

 

[Dan]

The only advantage I see to machines is that you aren't likely to injure yourself during the exercise and they're easy to understand. But you're only doing a single specific motion which will hurt you more in the longrun. Whereas with freeweights you are stabilizing your body through the whole movement. Say doing a military press, you have a lot of other muscles in your shoulders keeping the weights from shifting around. With machines you're working on a much smaller muscle group and you will be more prone to imbalances.

 

[Orcone101]

I use "tension rods".
They work just like weights. They're easier to move around, easy to attach and the results are the same as using free weights.

 

[Top Secret]

Free weights = More effective/Cheaper

 

[Dasparov]

free-weights, whats the point of going to a gym if you have your own?...

 

[Razor]

Both.

Free weights as it hits your muscles far harder and helps with stabiliser muscles as well.
Machines as they can take specific muscles a little better, like the Rope Pushdown with Triceps. They are also far easier to use properly.

 

[Razor]

Kommie, could i ask, what is Andro? I have just started my 6 week Creatine cycle and been using my protein shakes for a few months now., so was wondering if there was anything else which might help me better as well.

 

[Raziaar]

Free weights definately.

 

[bliink]

Free weights.
Machines are too much of a pain in the neck to have around a house if you dont have a dedicated room/space

 

[sfc_hoot]

Free weights are better. Not that I have room for a home-gym in my house anyway...

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

Free weights.... I used to have a machine... but its way too big for my room so I ditched it. I still have a bench though. Thats usefull

 

[PvtRyan]

Both, and both at the gym. But especially dumbells, more effective than a machine, but machines are more precise and when it's a difficult exercise, the movement on a machine is easier than with free weights. Free weights are simply harder imo.

 

[AzzMan]

I do both, but machines a bit more. I go to a gym, so I don't have to have all that stuff sitting around my house. Thinking about getting a bowflex though...

 

[Raziaar]

I do both, but machines a bit more. I go to a gym, so I don't have to have all that stuff sitting around my house. Thinking about getting a bowflex though...

Biggest waste of money you'll probably ever spend. I don't own one, but its easy to tell you that you will likely regret it. You can be far more effective with free weights, for about 1200 dollars less. lol

Buy a new comp with that cash.

 

[ComradeBadger]

I use both.. local gym owns

Up to benching 70kg these days

 

[AzzMan]

What about that dumbell thing bowflex has now? I'm thinking about that. Besides I'm sure whatever I go with, it'll end up being cheaper than a gym membership in the long run. Then again, checking out the girls at the gym is pretty fun too :naughty:

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

What about that dumbell thing bowflex has now? I'm thinking about that. Besides I'm sure whatever I go with, it'll end up being cheaper than a gym membership in the long run. Then again, checking out the girls at the gym is pretty fun too :naughty:

Oh come on, like there is any other reason to go to the gym!

Eh badge! eh!!


JK




And nice work badge, more than I can do...

 

[KoreBolteR]

Free weights are much better, even tho i use both. i can now go to the gym everyday for free im on this course in the sport complex, and the let me use sauna, swimming pool anything for free. but only for 13 weeks.

 

[KoreBolteR]

I use both.. local gym owns

Up to benching 70kg these days

is that including the bar or without.?

 

[The Monkey]

Bth, but mostly machines.

 

[ComradeBadger]

Including the bar

It's not much, but it's 5kg away from my bodyweight (I think )

And there is sadly v little talent at my local gym ;(

 

[Maxi]

I use both, but mostly machines.

EDIT: Bah badger I lift 60kgs including the bar, which is my bodyweight (I did last time I tried, gotta try again was awhile since I last tried).

 

[KoreBolteR]

Including the bar

It's not much, but it's 5kg away from my bodyweight (I think )

And there is sadly v little talent at my local gym ;(

cool cool well done m8.

i can lift bout 60 aswell, my bar weighs 20 kg, LOL :sniper:

 

[Razor]

I use both.. local gym owns

Up to benching 70kg these days

I can bench 2 x 15kg dumbells, i only use dumbells as they're a bit better then the bar for working the stabiliser muscles. I just upped my Squat to 40kg (ass to grass squats, not sissy parallel ones) and my leg press to 130kg. Not very good, but i am improving. Only just started .

Also started my Creatine cycle as well, so that will boost my strength.

 

[MuToiD_MaN]

Well, in reality it's both, but predominantly free weights when it counts.

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

Most I ever benched is 60kg including bar. But I dont know what my max is because Ive never actually bothered trying anything above that..


I train for speed and reactive muscles by lifting small weights (alot), I dont think that would lend itself to lifting heavy weights very well anyway to be honest.




While I am in a topic about exercise.... tip for you. Don't ever overstrech. No matter what the excuse. It freakin hurts like hell!!!!! ;(

 

[KoreBolteR]

I train for speed and reactive muscles by lifting small weights (alot), I dont think that would lend itself to lifting heavy weights very well anyway to be honest.
;(

i do that sometimes ...

its supposed to make you more toned

i dont want to be like arnie, just toned , if ya get me (6 pack for example)

 

[marksmanHL2 :)]

i do that sometimes ...

its supposed to make you more toned

i dont want to be like arnie, just toned , if ya get me (6 pack for example)

Aye, exactly right. Toned is the way to go. I suggest doing a bit of both. small and large weights I mean.



I'm damn proud of myself atm, Ive managed to get a decent six pack in about a month and I also managed to get about twice as flexable...... until I overstreched

 

[KoreBolteR]

Aye, exactly right. Toned is the way to go. I suggest doing a bit of both. small and large weights I mean.



I'm damn proud of myself atm, Ive managed to get a decent six pack in about a month and I also managed to get about twice as flexable...... until I overstreched

yeah i agree. but i havnt got a great 6 pack, more like a 4 pack, lol!

 

[Razor]

So to train for speed and flexibility, you use lighter weights, but do more reps?

What i am training for is size, bulk up and fill out my frame abit, then moving onto speed and strength training when i have some size.

 

[ComradeBadger]

If you want to build muscle lift weights you can barely handle

Just what I heard, not pro advice or anything

 

[KoreBolteR]

So to train for speed and flexibility, you use lighter weights, but do more reps?

What i am training for is size, bulk up and fill out my frame abit, then moving onto speed and strength training when i have some size.

im thinking to start ju jitsu tbh :O.

for defence only.