Fit and Fabulous Body – Should I Use the Weights Or Machines?

Jan 23rd, 2010 | By coolbiking | Category: Bodybuilding & Weight Training

By Christopher Morris

Strength training should be added to every exercise workout. People have been preached to for years to get moving. To get that cardiovascular system flowing. Well, it’s really not enough. It is also a great idea to workout the different muscle groups.

The two primary ways to accomplish this is through either free weights or weight machines. Both have its advantages and disadvantages. And really what you want to do is figure out which one meets your fitness needs the best. And you do not have to choose one over the other. You may choose to use machines to workout your legs and use free weights for your upper body. You simply need to decide which works best for the exercise you are doing.

Free weights largely consist of barbells and dumbbells. Dumbbells are single weight, one piece items. There are no weights to change out. And there is nothing to adjust. You simply grab it and start lifting. Barbells, however, consist of a bar with interchangeable weight plates on each end. The barbells can be long like those you might see for bench presses, or short, looking very similar to dumbbells.

Weight machines are exactly what it says: machines with weights built-in. The weight machines have stacks of weight plates that are easily adjusted using a pin. Each weight machine allows you to do an exercise for specific parts of the body.

Generally speaking, free weights tend to work more areas of your body during an exercise than a similar exercise performed with a weight machine. The reason being is that with free weights you are supporting the weight with your whole body in a free manner. Just getting the free weight into position requires use of muscles other than the one you are specifically building. Balance and coordination comes into play much more so than with the weight machines. With free weights you can even “cheat” the movement required to do a repetition of exercise.

Weight machines on the other hand do not allow for cheating. The range of motion is locked into the machine’s movement. They also have an advantage over free weights for safety and easy usage. These machines are equipped with control and guides to direct the resistance paths. Thus it is less dangerous and prevents the user from being pinched, injured, or trapped. In the event you fail to control the weights, the weight stacks will never hit you. And a spotter is not required for you to perform the exercise. Adding heavier weights require no more than taking the pin out and putting it lower on the weight stack. Adjustments on the machines can be easily made that is why this machine is very popular in many fitness centers and gyms.

The free weights major disadvantage is safety. If you perform a bench press using a barbell, the chance of being trapped is possible if you fail to complete the repetition. You always want to workout with spotter to assist you if needed. Greater amounts of control are needed when lifting free weights to prevent joints and muscle injuries. Inconvenience is also a disadvantage to free weights. Putting on and taking off the weights can be a workout in itself.

Whether to use free weights or weight machines is really a personal preference. And really, there is no reason to choose one at the exclusivity of the other. You can very easily utilize each to achieve your fitness goals.

Free Weights vs Machines

–About–

By Christopher Morris – Chris spends a lot of time at the gym. He loves to workout and counts fitness as an important part of his life. You can find out more at his health and fitness website.

Source: Cool Biking Zone – Your source for great cycling, sports and fitness articles!

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