subject: Why Free Weights Are More Effective Than Machines - A Nubodyz Build A Better Body Read [print this page] Machinesyou always see people camped out by them at your local gym. Who can blame them; after all the equipment is aesthetically pleasing; its soft on your eyes. However, it can also be soft on your muscles. You see, machines are designed in such a way that they do part of the work for you by keeping the weight stable and allowing you to only move the weight from points A to B. They simply do not work the desired muscle as effectively, and as a consequence, they dont provide the same results as free weights.
Ok, so machines dont work your muscles as effectively, you might be wondering when you should use them. Generally speaking, machines are best used at the very end of a workout or to work around an injury because of the stabilization they provide. When we are performing free weight exercises we are executing them with the intention of isolating a certain muscle group, however, other muscles called stabilizer muscles will be recruited to offer stability through the movement. What can occur towards the end of a workout is that the small stabilizer muscles will fatigue before the primary muscle you are trying to exercise is fully exhausted. Finishing a workout with a machine can be helpful because your stabilizer muscles will be for the most part deactivated.
The added stabilization can also really help you out if you are working around an injury. Take myself for example. I have been recovering from a rotator cuff tare for months now. There are certain muscle groups (chest/shoulders) that when being performed put to much stress on my shoulder. Training these muscle groups on machines provides me with the stability I need to execute the movement while limiting risk of re-injury or discomfort.
So you can see that machines do have a place in your workout routine; however, they should be used not abused. If you havent already done so, liberate yourself from the prison of weight machines and provide yourself with the freedom to achieve a better body through using free weights!
by: Christopher M. Naughton
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