Free Weights vs. Machines Weights

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Free Weights vs. Machines Weights

People have enjoyed working out for a long time. The going to the gym and working out trend is gaining popularity every year. Right now working out is the rage. Health clubs are getting built and remolded. There is still one question that the average working out Joe wants an answer for. Which is better? Free weights or machine weights? Does it really matter?

When a person works out with free weights it is necessary for him to have a spotter (a person to watch him in case he fails to lift the desired weight). The only time one could work out without a spotter is if he/she is lifting extremely light/weights. Even this could be dangerous. No one I know recommends lifting free weights alone. When working out with machine weights such as cables or hammer strength equipment the spotter is nice to have but not necessary. Machine weights are ideal for those who wish to train alone. Training alone can also cut one’s workout time in half.

Free weights use the natural motion a person has on that specific lift. An example of this is if a person has physical alteration, like one arm is longer than the other is and he wishes to bench press. The barbell or dumbbell will adjust with his range of motion. If that person wished to use a machine, his range of motion would be limited to his short arm. He still would be able to use that piece of equipment, but he wouldn’t get as well a work out if he would have if he used free weights.

Another downfall of machine exercise or cables exercises is that people come in a variety of heights and weights. Some people may have trouble fitting or may not even fit in a piece of equipment. This will restrict them from getting the maxim...

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... The leg press actually works the legs better than the dead lift and since it is a machine it is a smooth controlled lift.

So which type of lifting is better, free weights or machines? Both are. There are certain exercises that are more effective by using free weights rather than machines. There are also certain machine exercises that are just as good as free weights and are a lot safer. The best way to get in shape and stay in shape is to find the happy medium of utilizing both machine and free weight. If one desires to build their body up they should primarily use free weights for their core lifts (bench, squat, power clean, incline bench, and dead lift). If one desires definition and tone they should stick to the machine weights. All in all, I found that using both free weights and machines I can achieve my personal goals.

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