Free weights vs machines

[southernsamurai]

There have been guys like Charles Poliquin who say a solid training programme should revolve around free weights: Squats, Bench (variations), DL, Barbell Press, Dips, Chins. He even goes to say given equal variables/resistance the guy slaving away at the chin up bar will get better gains than the guy at the pulldown station?

This is very interdasting as I have met guys who do lots of machine work yet are very big and muscular. There is also the age old strength=size yet there are guys who can't bench 1.5xBW for reps yet have big chests etc, massive quads with just leg pressing etc

What gives? To the big guys and more developed bodybuilders is there a time where you have "paid your dues" with free weights and you switch?

[gixxer]

some machines are appropriate. Smith is a good one to use, leg press and rowing machine, pulldowns...

in general machines are not recomended, they are only tested on maybe 100 - 1000people. We are all different built so no machine can accomodate for everyone. Therefore, free weights are always most optional as they "fit" everyone. Less injuries with free weight I would guess (no proof of this) and you gain more control over your body.

But all exercise comes down to consistency and diet... you might spend 6h a week exercising, it all the hours when you are not exercising that will determine the outcome

[b3h3m0th666]

I think all have their place in some way or another.

I personally like free-weights for mass built, then use machine to fine tweak at the end of the sesh.

b3.

[olympia]

imo you have to use free weights because they bring so many other stabilizing muscles into play such as on the squat and bench. But machines are still great both for the isolation of a muscle group and the safety factor.

Start with free weights, finish on machines.

[BIGKIWI]

Free weights all the way

[Grover]

Free weights all the way

then all we need is a "Free gym"

[I Declare War]

Free weights all the way

then all we need is a "Free gym"

It's called Road Working.

[Chemo]

Gotta say, free weights are harder so I think they'd be better in the long run, more muscles involved = more GH and IGF release?

But damn I love the load a cable machine can give on some exercises.

Agreeing with; start with the bar, end with the machine.

[I Declare War]

Gotta say, free weights are harder so I think they'd be better in the long run, more muscles involved = more GH and IGF release?

But damn I love the load a cable machine can give on some exercises.

Agreeing with; start with the bar, end with the machine.

I think the GH and IGF release from a workout is a load of bollix. It's very insignificant to what you get from a good night's sleep. Sleep is where it's at.

[Chemo]

Sleeps a load of bollocks, It's very insignificant to what you get from a good jab of HGH. HGH is where its at.

I joke, I joke! Just had to say it.