• FreeTrainers.com Forums
• Beginners to Exercise
• machine vs. free weights - continued

Group: Beginners to Exercise

machine vs. free weights - continued

theboowahs Posts: 21 Joined: 2001/08/02	2001/08/06, 12:23 PM I have read the previous comments from everybody concerning the advantages of free weights over machines (stabalizer muscles etc). I am using the PowerTec Leverage Workbench (over twenty exercises without the need of a spotter) at my house. My question is two part: #1) Do you consider a leverage bench a machine with the same limitations as your "traditional machines" ? #2) Has anybody worked out with a leverage workbench - what were your results??
snowboarder_76 Posts: 144 Joined: 2001/05/27	2001/08/06, 01:59 PM I havent used one, but it is just said that free weights are for mass and machines are mainly for toning.-snow
the_w8lifter Posts: 138 Joined: 2001/08/03	2001/08/06, 03:21 PM I disagree with snow about toning. Toning is a phrase that was never meant to be a verb. Tone is a noun and a physical condition one should strive to acheive. Machines are limiting (as the earlier comments delineate). I have never used a leverage bench, but my instinct is that it is still not as good as free weights. However, I know the importance of being able to workout with no spotter. I put my money into a cage squat rack. I have the best of both worlds, the rack spots for me while I use free weights!
erin4ever1990 Posts: 266 Joined: 2001/06/25	2001/08/06, 10:10 PM But, can machines in anyway help with with form as a beginner?
the_w8lifter Posts: 138 Joined: 2001/08/03	2001/08/07, 09:29 AM Somewhat, but using them can fool you into thinking you have good form. Then, when you go to the bench and unrack, the dreaded "sway" begins. As a beginner, I would use only free weights with an experienced spotter to help me with form.
mongrel2012 Posts: 125 Joined: 2001/05/04	2001/08/08, 10:01 PM the_w8lifter is right. Good form on machines has nothing to do with good form with freeweights. A machine squatter would keel over when using half the weight he uses on the machine if he we're to freeweight squat. Machines also can't offer that variable resistance curve which freeweights can. Furthermore using machines will not train you to be able to fire up a maximum number of motor units within your muscles, and thats where realworld strength comes in
jutx687 Posts: 8 Joined: 2002/01/28	2002/01/30, 03:19 AM how about using the cable for arms workout.. because of the consistentcy in resistance...is it good or still you prefer free weight?
rpacheco Posts: 3,770 Joined: 2001/12/13	2002/01/30, 10:25 AM That's the problem with the machines...the resistance is consistent. Can you say that your strength on a daily basis is consistent? Probably not. That's where other muscles come in when using free weights. You use a lot more of your stabilizer muscles to balance and resist gravity.
MuscleRage Posts: 203 Joined: 2001/12/09	2002/01/30, 03:25 PM Its not exactly the same as normal machines, but it still doesnt allow you to control the weight by yourself. This means that it is kind of like lifting with a spotter...helping you lift the weight the whole time.
Philia2 Posts: 4,078 Joined: 2001/10/19	2002/01/31, 02:40 AM Great to work muscle definition, but takes long to get muscle mass using only cables.
rpacheco Posts: 3,770 Joined: 2001/12/13	2002/01/31, 11:16 AM Right philia2. That's why I would not recommend soloflexes or total gyms to those who want to add muscle mass. However, if you want to get toned, defined and just want to get back into an exercise routine, these machines would be excellent for that.
goliath420 Posts: 5 Joined: 2003/10/02	2003/10/02, 06:09 PM I will agree there is no substitute for free weights but I do own a powertec leverage workbench and I use it all the time. It has a great range of motion and in my opinion is far superior to other "home gyms". My advice to you is go heavy and incorperate dumbels into your workout and you will bulk up. ============ Quoting from theboowahs: I have read the previous comments from everybody concerning the advantages of free weights over machines (stabalizer muscles etc). I am using the PowerTec Leverage Workbench (over twenty exercises without the need of a spotter) at my house. My question is two part: #1) Do you consider a leverage bench a machine with the same limitations as your "traditional machines" ? #2) Has anybody worked out with a leverage workbench - what were your results?? =============