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Free Weights vs Machines

by Jason76
9 replies
  • OFF TOPIC
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What are better for bodybuilding? Most experts say machines, because free weights utilize gravity which causes more muscle growth. Nonetheless, myself, I don't think they are a waste of time, and do produce good results, though maybe not as much as free weights. What do you all think?
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Gravity is just resistance. Machines are just resistance. It's the same thing. In sports, many teams prefer free weights because in addition to gaining strength, you gain balance as well.

    I've noticed you have posted a lot of threads in the Off Topic forum tonight. Just so you know, posts in this forum don't count toward your post count. Not saying that's what you're doing, but it's a mistake a lot of new members make.
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  • Profile picture of the author ameliabell
    body machine is best.
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by ameliabell View Post

      body machine is best.
      Ok people, that's it then, end of thread.
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      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

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      • Profile picture of the author JeffreyCivy
        Banned
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    I don't know about building, but I like machines for sculpting. Of course stretching sculpts, too - but if you're going to use weights ya might wanna kill the two birds with one stone.
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Most machines and free weights work EXACTLY alike. They use weight driven by gravity. Frankly, I often like machines better because.....

    1. They SHOULD give consistent resistance. Free weights will, at points other than 90degrees actually provide less resistance. So a bicep curl, standing straight up, gets easier at the end of the movement, for example.
    2. They can be very repeatable. Free weights depend on things that are less predictable person to person. This CAN be a good thing, but tests, and works, muscles other than those you may expect. Which is one reason why machines are considered good for isolating exercise. Whether doing squats or presses, extraneous muscles often work less on machines.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      Most machines and free weights work EXACTLY alike. They use weight driven by gravity. Frankly, I often like machines better because.....

      1. They SHOULD give consistent resistance. Free weights will, at points other than 90degrees actually provide less resistance. So a bicep curl, standing straight up, gets easier at the end of the movement, for example.
      2. They can be very repeatable. Free weights depend on things that are less predictable person to person. This CAN be a good thing, but tests, and works, muscles other than those you may expect. Which is one reason why machines are considered good for isolating exercise. Whether doing squats or presses, extraneous muscles often work less on machines.

      Steve
      Bu-bu-but, ameliabell above said machines are best.
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      Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

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  • Profile picture of the author socialentry
    Free weights, you work the stabilizer muscles. Pardon my french.
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    • Profile picture of the author Claude Whitacre
      Real Men use free weights. Sissy little girly men use machines.

      It's the law. Claude's Law.

      As you can see in my avatar...my forehead was built with free weights, not machines.
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      • Profile picture of the author Richard Van
        Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre View Post

        Real Men use free weights. Sissy little girly men use machines.

        It's the law. Claude's Law.

        As you can see in my avatar...my forehead was built with free weights, not machines.
        That comment just cost me half a pint of spilt and laughed out beer.
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        Wibble, bark, my old man's a mushroom etc...

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