Hammer Strength Machines...

[IrishMonk]

I love the Hammer machines on chest day. There is 5 of them in a row at the gym , all of which hit the chest at diff angles. I usually do 2 sets on each, then do the cables in a fly motion to finish.

But I'm wondering... should I do 2 or three diff. hammer machines one week, then the others the next ? or Is it fine to do 2 sets on each ?

Just another newb Q.... sry

 

[jstarcarr]

dont totally relay on machines for your workout use free weights to, but if you are going to do what you said I would do 2 1 week 3 the next

 

[SFW]

stick to free weight when possible. i personally like the wide iso incline hammer. but for the most part, no stabilizer activation.

 

[IrishMonk]

yeah... I thought I might get that answer. But for now I'm trying to get a little stronger... nobody to spot me on the bench etc....

 

[min0 lee]

yeah... I thought I might get that answer. But for now I'm trying to get a little stronger... nobody to spot me on the bench etc....

That never stopped me. Just ask for a spot.

 

[cshea2]

If you don't have a spotter use dumbells...

It's already been said, but one hammer machine after the main lift is all you need for 3 or 4 sets. Using five hammer machines in one workout seems very redundant.

 

[OutWhey]

HS machine "assist" a lot and the person is able to "cheat" the weight also.

IMO, nothing beat the main lifts such as bench pressing, db press (incline, flat, floor press)

 

[cshea2]

Yah, the only thing I like about the HS machine is you can get such a deep stretch at the bottom, even deeper then dumbells. I haven't used one in a while because my gym doesn't have them. Not a big loss though...

 

[LAM]

there are some pretty decent machines out there today but they should always be used to supplement free weight based resistance training.

 

[OutWhey]

Yah, the only thing I like about the HS machine is you can get such a deep stretch at the bottom, even deeper then dumbells. I haven't used one in a while because my gym doesn't have them. Not a big loss though...

How do you get a deeper stretch from a HS machine from DB? Makes no sense.

 

[Merkaba]

Machines suck. They are crutches. Sometimes we need crutches. Most of the time we don't. No spot? Use Dumbells.

 

[min0 lee]

I never use a spotter, but that doesn't stop my increases.
It may take me a while to reach a certain goal but I do it at my own pace.
I really avoid asking for help, I am done with being social at gyms. everytime I make a new friend they turn out to be too talkative, I only go to work out not to socialize.

 

[REDDOG309]

I really avoid asking for help, I am done with being social at gyms. everytime I make a new friend they turn out to be too talkative, I only go to work out not to socialize.

This is why I rarely take my headphones off. If someone wants to bullshit with me, they can stop in the bar later maybe I'll be there.

 

[urfitness]

stick to free weight when possible. i personally like the wide iso incline hammer. but for the most part, no stabilizer activation.

Me too think that free weight will help more in your muscle gain.
You can do bench press using dumbbells inclined or flat

 

[ANIMALHAUS]

If you don't have a spotter use dumbells...

It's already been said, but one hammer machine after the main lift is all you need for 3 or 4 sets. Using five hammer machines in one workout seems very redundant.

Well that might work for someone using 75lb DB's, but I know in my case, when using 150lb DB's for chest there is no way I am getting them over my head by myself. Actually, it requires two guys to place the weight in my hands.

If you can't find a spot (which I find hard to believe) then do what you have to do!!!!

 

[ANIMALHAUS]

I really avoid asking for help, I am done with being social at gyms. everytime I make a new friend they turn out to be too talkative, I only go to work out not to socialize.

This is why I rarely take my headphones off. If someone wants to bullshit with me, they can stop in the bar later maybe I'll be there.

This is my biggest pet peeve in the gym. I hate socializing, and I especially hate the out of shape people who literally go to the gym for an hour, do three exercizes and talk the whole rest of the time. These are the same people that continuously ask for advice.

 

[cshea2]

Well that might work for someone using 75lb DB's, but I know in my case, when using 150lb DB's for chest there is no way I am getting them over my head by myself. Actually, it requires two guys to place the weight in my hands.

If you can't find a spot (which I find hard to believe) then do what you have to do!!!!

I've never used 150's but I don't really see the problem kicking them back up with your thighs. I do it with the 110's all the time...

 

[cshea2]

How do you get a deeper stretch from a HS machine from DB? Makes no sense.

You can bring the levers all the way down in to your lats.

With the db's you can only go to the side of your chest.

DB's are obviously superior though..

 

[ANIMALHAUS]

Apparently I offended member 'OUFINNY' with one of my posts above because he gave me zero rep points for it. It must have been the 75lb DB comment. Sorry little guy, stay strong!!!!!

 

[gopro]

I love the Hammer machines on chest day. There is 5 of them in a row at the gym , all of which hit the chest at diff angles. I usually do 2 sets on each, then do the cables in a fly motion to finish.

But I'm wondering... should I do 2 or three diff. hammer machines one week, then the others the next ? or Is it fine to do 2 sets on each ?

Just another newb Q.... sry

If you really want to build a big chest you need to implement some free weights into your training. NOTHING is as effective as DB's and BB's for building muscle. Try a program that contains at each workout...

1 free weight press
1 hammer press (different angle)
1 free weight flye
1 dip
1 cable crossover

2 sets for each for no more than 10 working sets.

 

[IrishMonk]

Thnx for the input everyone....