Re: Free Weights vs. Machines

[Guest guest]

My personal opinion - which I believe is based on sound science - is

that free weights are superior. The reason I believe this is because

you are working on balance at the same time. With a machine, you're

not having to control a weight and stop it from crushing your skull

or breaking your foot. When you are lifting a dumbbell or a barbell

your body must use it's complex neuro-muscular system. We have cells

called proprioceptor cells that send signals to the brain

saying, " this part is HERE in relation to that part, so straighten

THIS " constantly.

Proprioception is the body's ability to process information about its

orientation or position at any given time. Our muscles, skin, joints

and tendons have proprioceptor cells that tell our brain where each

part is in relation to the other parts - signals are sent and our

muscles react quickly to any change in position in order to stabilize

and maintain the body's balance. Pretty nifty, eh?

When you're using a machine (and I do use machines for some things,

especially when I'm feeling groggy or something), you just don't have

to work your balance. I do like machines for isolating certain

muscles... but if I had to pick which one - and could only go one

way - it would be free weights hands down.

I hope that helped and wasn't totally " too much " info.

Glynis

>

> I know this has probably already been hashed but I can't find the

> information I am looking for. (Maybe I am just looking for someone

to

> agree with me:) We are trying to add to our home gym. We were out

> all day on Friday in Beijing traffic trying to find the places that

> sell gym equipment. You can't go to a sports store or department

> store here. You have to find the area and then shop at each

> individual store. Anyway, We discovered that to buy a set of

weights

> including the rack is about the same price as an older model of the

> home gym with the cables. I think she said it does 20 different

> exercises. So.....for the money, which would be the better

> investment? I think some people enjoy the machines, like my son,

and

> others find they get a better workout with the dumbells. I would

> appreciate your help! We can only buy one and want to make the

best

> purchase!

>

> Thanks again and have a great day!

>

>

[Guest guest]

Glynis,

WOW! Thank you so much for the information! We were leaning that

direction but it sure helps to have a majority vote! Maybe when we

complete challenge two, we would have enough saved up for a

machine:) Maybe the three of us should put a certain amount of

money in a jar for each workout that we complete! I think I like

that idea:)

> >

> > I know this has probably already been hashed but I can't find

the

> > information I am looking for. (Maybe I am just looking for

someone

> to

> > agree with me:) We are trying to add to our home gym. We were

out

> > all day on Friday in Beijing traffic trying to find the places

that

> > sell gym equipment. You can't go to a sports store or

department

> > store here. You have to find the area and then shop at each

> > individual store. Anyway, We discovered that to buy a set of

> weights

> > including the rack is about the same price as an older model of

the

> > home gym with the cables. I think she said it does 20 different

> > exercises. So.....for the money, which would be the better

> > investment? I think some people enjoy the machines, like my

son,

> and

> > others find they get a better workout with the dumbells. I

would

> > appreciate your help! We can only buy one and want to make the

> best

> > purchase!

> >

> > Thanks again and have a great day!

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I'm not anti-machine, but if it's one or the other, definitely go for

the free weights. You'd find those select 20 exercises very limiting

after a while. (Just try to do walking weighted lunges!) Besides, if

something breaks on your machine, there goes your entire weight workout.

Naomi

******

>

> I know this has probably already been hashed but I can't find the

> information I am looking for. (Maybe I am just looking for someone to

> agree with me:) We are trying to add to our home gym. We were out

> all day on Friday in Beijing traffic trying to find the places that

> sell gym equipment. You can't go to a sports store or department

> store here. You have to find the area and then shop at each

> individual store. Anyway, We discovered that to buy a set of weights

> including the rack is about the same price as an older model of the

> home gym with the cables. I think she said it does 20 different

> exercises. So.....for the money, which would be the better

> investment? I think some people enjoy the machines, like my son, and

> others find they get a better workout with the dumbells. I would

> appreciate your help! We can only buy one and want to make the best

> purchase!

>

> Thanks again and have a great day!

>

>

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