Members acmaddox0825 Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 1st of let me say hi to everyone:wave:. i havent been on here in a while (and i only have a while on here now!) my music has really been taking off. last time i was on here i was staying with my folks,but now i have my own place, a nice little studio, and a car that is under 5 years old (YAY!) anyways, i have some spare cash, and i have been doing some weight training ( freeweights) at a friends house, i have a bar and some weights at the crib rite now but i am looking to get something a little more elaborate; so my question is should i get free weights or a weight machine. personally i am leaning twoards a weight machine because its all inclusive, compact and its safer for me to work out by myself.... but i dont know anything so um......edumacate me! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members rummy Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Free weights work adjacent muscles as well as primary muscles. i.e. free weights don't limit the range of motion of your workout. Most people prefer free weights once they get comfortable. If you're totally new, you may want to build up some strength by using machines, but you'll eventually want to move to free weights as you'll feel limited. Welcome back, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Free weights require a spotter if you are pressing the heavy stuff. Machine weights in heavy loads are expensive and harder to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Free weights work adjacent muscles as well as primary muscles. i.e. free weights don't limit the range of motion of your workout. Most people prefer free weights once they get comfortable. If you're totally new, you may want to build up some strength by using machines, but you'll eventually want to move to free weights as you'll feel limited. Welcome back, too. +1 ...all points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitargod0dmw Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 I prefer free weights as well. I don't have a spotter, so I don't lift anything crazy...it can get pretty dangerous! I've never been comfortable on a machine, except for legs... Welcome back btw! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Free weights require a spotter if you are pressing the heavy stuff. Machine weights in heavy loads are expensive and harder to find. Not necessarily. There are plenty of heavy dumbbell exercises that have allowed me to get away with working out alone at home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bass8987 Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 I HATE machines with passion. Free weights are much better imo. Also, don't be a dumbass by doing squats on a smith machine. Here is some other advice http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/9-least-effective-exercises http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=MachinesVsFreeWeights http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbinfo.php?page=BeginnerWorkoutPrograms Bodybuilding.com is the greatest website ever welcome back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members boogiebassbill Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Not necessarily. There are plenty of heavy dumbbell exercises that have allowed me to get away with working out alone at home.JUST LIFT FAT GIRLS....THEIR USUALLY DUMBBELLS AND THEIR FREE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SA Rios Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 I've almost moved completely to free weights. I used to make my rounds on the machines at the gym, but like rummy said, free weights work adjacent muscles and require balance and coordination, so its an all around better workout. All you need is an adjustable incline bench and a few assorted dumbbells and you have a multitude of workouts you can do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Undead Sycip Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 I like free weights but watch your form when using these. Machines can limit your range of motion to keep your form correct. Free weights also take up less space. Don't workout without a spotter once you start with the heavy stuff (to me it was my body weight) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members T. Alan Smith Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Bodybuilding.com is the greatest website ever That it is! There are enough body weight only exercises there alone to keep you busy for some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bass8987 Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 That it is! There are enough body weight only exercises there alone to keep you busy for some time. Yep. Plus, Jamie Eason (aka Mrs. Bass8987) is a member there too http://bodyspace.bodybuilding.com/JamieEason/ http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/jamie.htm :love: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members takeout Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Dumbbells. Check Craigslist and the local classifieds for good deals from the New Year's Resolution crowd. Those and an exercise ball will go a long way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pickdust Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Free weights always. As other have said watch the form and becarefull with the amounts when lifting alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mmb Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Free weights also work stabilizer muscles that machines would not effect. Dumbbells really are the way to go and you can get away with lifting without a spotter for most exercises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Adrenochrome Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 I always used free weights when I played rugby to a decent level.Now I only have 45 min at lunchtime in the gym at work I use machines for speed and convenience, and because I don't need/want to bulk up. Both approaches have benefits - free weights are the way to do it if you can though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members lug Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Free weights also work stabilizer muscles that machines would not effect. Dumbbells really are the way to go and you can get away with lifting without a spotter for most exercises. checks anatomy and physiology book to find the "stabilizer" muscle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mmb Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Forgot my quotation marks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Decker Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 dumbbells>barbells>machines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members takeout Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 Based on your MP3's, may I suggest looking instead for the "destabilizer" muscle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Perfessor Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 My brother sells weight equipment to pro teams, the Olympic committee and the US Navy. www.healthandfitnessohio.com You can also get more damage to your body with free weights. My brother was 3rd in the nation NCAA power lifting super heavyweight. He needs both shoulders replaced and has a bad back. I'd use a machine for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members takeout Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 My brother sells weight equipment to pro teams, the Olympic committee and the US Navy. www.healthandfitnessohio.com You can also get more damage to your body with free weights. My brother was 3rd in the nation NCAA power lifting super heavyweight. He needs both shoulders replaced and has a bad back. I'd use a machine for sure. Your brother could just as easily have injured himself if his competing had involved machines. He was pushing himself to an extreme against his competition. Context is important. You can injure yourself just as easily (maybe even easier) with a machine. People think they're safer and attempt heavier weights. Then they get in trouble. Then they go to the E.R. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members ThrashmetalErik Posted October 22, 2007 Members Share Posted October 22, 2007 i prefer free weights for upper body their simple and versatile and dont require cables and {censored}. (not that i really work out as much as I should) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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