Machine VS Free Weight

[NNN]

What body parts are better developed by machines for general people than barbels or dumbbells and what are those exercises. thanks.

 

[aztecwolf]

go free weights, they give you a better range of motion and it is a natural movement for the body.

 

[ASSPUNCTURE]

I like reverse flies on a machine...
I warm my shoulders with the lateral delt raise fangled contraption
the new hammer strength ab machine is hott

I think it depends on the design of the machine, newer isnt better and everyones body has quirks and works better/worse with certain machines

does machine include cables?

 

[NNN]

I usually used freeweight but if any machine does better I will go for the machine.

ASSPUNCTURE-> What is the reverse flies. I will include cables for machine.

How about pec deck? Any free weight exercise that will put some more tension on in the middle of my chest?

 

[cmason2004]

Pec deck is really he only machine I've been using. I love it. I close out my chest workout with it, and it seems good to give me those last couple sets I feel I need.

 

[daniel600x]

Initially, novice athletes will see benefits with either machines or free weights, but as you become more trained, free weights should make up the major portion of your training program. Free-weight exercises mimic athletic moves and generally activate more muscle mass. If you're a seasoned lifter, free weights are your best tools to build strength or burn fat.

 

[trHawT]

Yeah, free weights are better for ROM, most fiber recruitment, yadda. Reverse pec dec really feels good when working the rear delt.

 

[Spitfire]

*pec dec*
For the 'cut' in your chest, use a pec dec with your shoulders pushed as FAR forward as possible, and flex like a madman when your arms come together. You will see something you never had before if you have not been doing that.
Oh do a search on machines vs free weights, there is a lot of very good opinions and facts here.

 

[CowPimp]

I think that free weights, in general, are better than machines. The body part matters not. There are a few reasons I like free weights. One, the movement is natural. You aren't forced to adapt to the path a machine forces you to move along. Two, you can usually get a wider range of motion from free weights. Three, you are required to stabilize the weight using your own muscles. There are some machines that I like. In particular, I think the leg press is an excellent machine exercise. Also, any cable machines are good beacuse they allow for a more natural movement.

 

[LAM]

hands down freeweights are superior to machines, that can not be argued.

but machines when used PROPERLY can be very effective when supplemented to a freeweight based training program...

I see some guys in the gym whose entire routine is based on various machines. they look exactly the same as they did last year and are moving the same weights...lol

 

[madden player]

What body parts are better developed by machines for general people than barbels or dumbbells and what are those exercises. thanks.

Free weights are superior for many reasons but it would be really hard to develop bodybuilder type legs without leg extension/leg curls.