ComputerHunter.org

 

Free Weights Vs Machines - The Battle!


It seems like everyone has an opinion on this debate. Which is better- free weights or machines? I asked my trainer friends what they thought and it was pretty much split in half. One group loved free weights and the other loved machines.

Those that are just beginning to strength train, those that are rehabilitating a body part, those who want to isolate a particular muscle, and those that want to lift large amounts of weight would be better off selecting a machine. It is safer for your circumstances.

Here's why, free weights require users to have a base of strength, balance and coordination. Machines provide that balance for you. Using a machine the strength trainer can lift a weight in a relatively safe manner. The exercise is guided along a pre-set path that does not allow for unsafe movements. With free weights you are left to your own devices. Your exercise path is whatever feels best for you.

If you are setting up your own in-home gym, I would go with a set of dumbbells. They are less expensive and take up less space. Less is good. Buying an all-in-one machine may be what interests you more and that's fine. Just be sure that all of the cable lines are of strong and high quality material. Otherwise they will wear out over time.

If you want variety in your exercise program, try free weights. You can virtually do any exercise you want. You can also add in fun side kicks such as a stability ball or balance board. With machines you are limited to the one exercise it was built to perform.

In the end, the decision is yours. I think everyone has their own opinion on which is better because we all have different goals and tastes. Go with what you enjoy and prefer. Just be sure to keep your routine fresh and fun.

Copyright 2005 strength-training-woman.com

Lynn VanDyke is the proud owner of http://www.strength-training-woman.com. She is a certified personal trainer, nutritionist, and yoga instructor.







Google News - Top Stories

BBC News

US grains up 2 percent as financial markets bounce
Reuters - 3 hours ago
By Naveen Thukral SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Chicago grain futures climbed more than 2 percent on Tuesday, rising for a second day from multi-month lows as fresh efforts by governments across the world to rescue the banking industry buoyed financial markets ...
European shares charge ahead after Wall Street rally (1st Lead) Monsters and Critics.com
World Markets Reflect Growing Hope TIME
Bloomberg - The Associated Press - guardian.co.uk - BBC News
all 1,011 news articles


Boston Globe

Deadly LA wildfires forcing evacuations
CNN - 1 hour ago
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Two major wildfires, pushed by strong Santa Ana winds, raged through the San Fernando Valley on Tuesday morning on a path that has already forced thousands of families from their homes.
Video: Mayor: Thank God for Our Firefighters AssociatedPress
Wind-Fueled Wildfires Threaten LA Suburbs Washington Post
Whittier Daily News - Ventura County Star - Reuters - San Jose Mercury News
all 4,145 news articles


BBC News

Race Remains Campaign Issue, but Not a Clear One
New York Times - 5 hours ago
By PATRICK HEALY ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio - Senator Barack Obama lost the Ohio Democratic primary by 10 percentage points and the West Virginia primary by a whopping 40 points last spring - a sign, to some Democrats and political analysts, ...
Video: New McCain Stump Speech Emphasizes Economy AssociatedPress
McCain Attack Ads Called Inevitable -- And Ineffective Washington Post
Sofia News Agency - Wausau Daily Herald - CNN - Chicago Tribune
all 2,003 news articles


ABC News

House Race Is Shaken by Report of an Affair
New York Times - 7 hours ago
By IAN URBINA WASHINGTON - The Florida congressman who succeeded Mark Foley after he resigned because of a sex scandal is now embroiled in a sex scandal of his own, and has requested a Congressional ethics investigation to clear his name.
A Florida (House) Bombshell Washington Post
South Fla. Congressman Investigated Amid Sex Scandal Local10.com
CNN - The Associated Press - Los Angeles Times
all 351 news articles


Boston Globe

Mbeki 'sure' of Zimbabwe progress
BBC News - 1 hour ago
South Africa's ex-President Thabo Mbeki is confident he will be able to salvage Zimbabwe's power-sharing deal in talks in Harare, his spokesman says.
Zimbabwe: 'Tsvangirai Got More Than Kenya's Odinga' AllAfrica.com
UK denounces 'power grab' as Mugabe swears in new deputies guardian.co.uk
Voice of America - Aljazeera.net - The Associated Press - Xinhua
all 3,074 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base