guns&buns

Hi guys.

Had a good look on the forum for an answer to this without much luck.

Some fellas from the gym say that free weights are miles better than machines due to their ability to test more muscle. I dont question this. However, I also hear muscles are more likely to rip under free weights compared to machines, thus growing back larger. I'm not sure about the validity of this and wonder what you think.

I'd like to throw it open and see if there is a definite consensus that free weights are better for gaining more lean muscle mass.

Personally I quite like machines, though I have no experience of free weights as there are none in my small gym.

Would be interested to see what you guys think! Cheers.

NeilpWest

Hi

I use the odd machine like smith now and then and pec dec but most of my exercises are done with free weights as i have seen much better growth using them. Free weights work the muscle much harder and at different angles not just one fixed movement so you should get all round better growth.

hackskii

Free weights would be best, but some of the machines out lately isolate very well.
My knees are acting up so I dont do squats anymore, option #2 is machine, so I use that.

But any routine should be mixed up some anyway.

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Scott


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Kezz

both are as good as each other as resistance is resistance

MXMAD

Free weights as machines help you a bit.

I also like machines don't get me wrong but free weights best

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bigacb

I personally do free weights for everything heavy. But when it comes to some arm exercises i like to add alot of cable work to always keep tension on the muscle. Alot of people cheat when they do free weights especially arm workouts so atleast with cables the tensions always on.

genan

never heard that one before, are you sure?

leeston

i like both. for going to failure and really pushing yourself machines are great. You can easily fail with a machine and not injure yourself if training alone.

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Kezz

it doesnt sound like you are mate

JawD

My understandings always been that free weights were better. When you use them, you also need to balance and control the movement, bringing more into play. A machine controls its own movement pretty much while you concentrate on the weight. It isolates the muscle/s in question.

I use both like. As Im pushed for time I have alternatives in my routine. So Ill swap between machines or free or cable etc so Im not slowed down waiting.

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Jimmy_Cricket

if you have no experience with free weights, why not try out the machines for a month or two, see how you get on....then hit the free weights...

i used to use the machines when i was 16 because i was scared of the free weight section incase i made an **** of myself!

genan

what i was trying to say nicely that you are wrong. free weights should always come first (imo of coz )

Kezz

sorry it sounded like you were taking the ****

DBowden

IMO Muscle fibers are damaged regardless of if it its a machine load vs free weight load, and hypertrophy is possible with both, it makes no difference.

Machines are not as good at engaging the stabilizers as free weights are.

dru0111

I saw a faster growth rate with machines compared to free weights but at the same time created an imbalance that took months to sort out. From experience I would free lift over machines.