Introduction:
During the evolution of bodybuilding mankind has seen a technological advance in bodybuilding machines. Nowadays machines are designed and manufactured better then ever. However one may ask which is better. That answer will be found in the conclusion section of this article, but first lets get started with the pros and cons between the two!
Machines:
The machines that are found today all over the world are designed and manufactured better then ever. One must realize that machines just like free weights are tools that are used to sculpt and build ones body to the maximum one can achieve possible. Also one must be thankful and appreciative of the machines that are found today, look at the machines from the 1960’s and 1970’s and you will see what I mean.
Without further adieu, let’s get started – machines help isolate one’s muscle. What I mean by that is let’s say one does straight bar curls for the bicep muscle, while using the free weight, one’s front deltoid and forearms will assist in lifting the weight. However if one goes on a machine that is made strictly for the bicep muscle, the bicep will strictly do the work and lift the weight up. This isolation that ones gets from a machine will make the muscle work harder and stricter. However machines have cons too, cons such as not working the stabilizer muscles and not getting the most of ones natural testosterone production. Overall machines help isolate the muscle group one works out on, but limits the other muscle groups in terms of growth and strength.
Free Weights:
The muscles found in the human body where designed by evolution to overcome the pull of gravity rather then to work against machines resistance. Therefore one’s biggest gains in strength and muscles size will come from lifting free weights such as dumbbells, barbells and straight bars. Lifting free weights will also increase ones natural testosterone production which is need for muscle growth and recovery. However this all comes with a cost. When using free weights different muscle groups will come into play, thus making ones workout less efficient. However, overall the pros outweigh the cons when one uses free weights!
Conclusion Which Is Better?:
Neither because both are tools one needs to build their bodies up to the maximum they can achieve possible. Therefore I recommend one has both machine and free weight exercises in their weight-training routines!