Comments on: Free Weights Are Still King

By: Tom - Alternative Health 101

Tom - Alternative Health 101 — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 01:41:42 +0000

I don’t go to the gym, I don’t think it has many advantages over working out at home. I use only dumbbells, push ups and stuff like that that doesn’t use anything specific.

By: Acai Berry

Acai Berry — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 18:04:49 +0000

In all of my workout routines I’ve always seemed to perform better with free weights. My body feels like it has a more equalized workout versus the times I’ve used machines. I agree, free weights are the best choice.

By: xtrainer

xtrainer — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:29:50 +0000

It is sad. You would think that with the cost of machines vs. free weights that it would encourage gym owners to opt for more free weights.

I don’t agree with the above poster that those who are new to fitness should start off with machines and progress to free weights. Many of the exercises you perform with free weights are identical to movements performed in daily life without the assistance of a machine. I think it’s a disservice to dumb down the nervous system with machine exercises instead of teaching proper form from the get go with free weights.

By: güzellik

güzellik — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 02:37:16 +0000

Great read. I have always been a fan of using nautilus machines but do keep some free weights handy around the house. Part of the ritual for me is actually heading over to the gym. I still use a few free weights there as well though.

By: Tina Ryan

Tina Ryan — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:34:20 +0000

I totally agree ive started working out on th bow flex and moved to free weights..What a difference alot of my smaller muscles that i wasnt using really got a work out and i feel how unstable i really was. Thank you for your info on the difference.

By: Pepper Spray

Pepper Spray — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 06:19:07 +0000

By: Lose Weight

Lose Weight — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 23:11:50 +0000

Free weights are absolutely the way to go, I almost always feel sore when I work with free weights, but machines I can do 3/4 of a stack and still barely feel like I worked out.

I think the problem with gyms are that regular people are intimidated by the bodybuilders who actually know what they are doing and avoid the free weight section.

When in doubt, get a trainer or just ask someone!

By: learn to draw

learn to draw — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:51:53 +0000

machines are too stable. When you are using dumbbells for say incline bench press you have to use more parts of your muscles and core to stabilize the weights.

the only time i ever use machines is when i am injured and need the stability of the machines to take any strain off the injured area

By: Project Swole - Build Muscle and Lose Fat

Project Swole - Build Muscle and Lose Fat — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:51:08 +0000

The reality is that we must use free weights if we want to be swole. No amount of bodybuilding or powerlifting can be done with machines or cardio equipment. There is a time and a place for everything I suppose, but the time and place for free weights is here and now. Say ‘werd’ son.

By: Pam

Pam — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:01:56 +0000

I am no longer a member of a gym because I moved to a different area. However when I used to go I found it strange that such a big modern building could have such a small area for free weights. I used to feel like I was getting in the way of the more “dedicated” weight lifters so I tended to skip that part of my exercising and moved onto the machines. Now I just use dumbells and my Pilates machine at home.

I sent a link here from my tumblr blog.