Just wondering, if I am doing some basic body building to gain weight, would it be more effective with free weights as opposed to machines? One reason why I'm asking is because the free weights are normally really busy and I don't have a spotter, so I don't dare to do my max lol... But of course with machines, I don't mind doing max.

Another thing is, when I ment max, I don't do my absolute max as I need to use my hands to work and wouldn't be good can't move my arm the next day But have been trying to goto the gym 5x a week and working on same/ similar muscles everyday till I feel quite fatigued - is that recommended?

Finally, in terms of nutrition, would it be neccesary for me to take protien shakes right after the gym? Because I am quite full from my previous meal normally, I come back at 10pm and wait until 11.30pm before i have my 'main' meal... my meals normally consist of 500g chicken and 600g pork chops and 140g of oats through the day + 2 breakfast bars (155cal) each... + lunch can be KFC or subway

Is a diet of deep fried pork chops and Nando style chicken not recommended then or if I eat that it is OK in the long term? Its just because I think I'm consuming too much protien just from those... I'm quite litterally forcing myself to eat but I've seen an increase of about 3 - 4lbs in about 1 week which I thought was not possible so I'm quite motivated by results

Any inputs would be greatly appreciate

oh, and i'm asking about the protien shake consumption because basically I heard most people said that it is important to get the protien power in RIGHT AFTER you workout... but because I'm so full, if I took the protien powder, I won't be able to eat my main meal

well i think people would rather you put your nutrition questions in the nutrition forum.

but when it comes to the weights i would suggest using the freeweights as much as possible. if you want to body build then the freewiehgts will help build up all the smaller defining muscles.
plus... you shouldnt always work to failure. you could always just do your very last set of each exercise on the machines for sefety.

A diet of deep fried pork chops is not recommended.

-- hahaha what a hoot!

OH come on DEF!!!! we are talking about lifting and drinking in the other thread-- what's so bad about deep fried pork chops?

yer the best man

to the OP

machine and free both have their place

Sweat Daily
FF

When you say you are full due to your previous meal, what did you eat before working out? You should eat a whole meal 2 hours before any exercise but a preworkout snack an hour before is fine. A post workout shake of a fast-absorbing protein is recommended to take advantage of the post-workout window of opportunity.

On your question of free weights vs machines I would go with free weights but start light and perfect form. You will be surprised by how a raw untrained person can move tonnes of weight on the leg press but cannot squat a single Oly plate on each side.

Free weights are much better...

Thanks for the quick reply. Normally, I get back from work about 6.30PM.. I eat approx 600g of pork chop as mentioned about 7PM and go to the gym about 8.30PM... I come back about 9.30PM... wait until about 11PM before I eat about 500g of chicken. I could prob force myself to drink a protien shake straight after the workout but I would probably be too full for the chicken

Your body will adapt to drinking the shake post workout. If you really want to add muscle, that PWO shake really is that important.

You DO realize that 600g of pork chops is 21 ounces? That's nearly 1.5 POUNDS of meat at one sitting.
A lot of that protein isn't even being utilized because its passing through the gut too quickly.

Its no small wonder you feel too full.

It may be worthwhile for the OP reading the stickies in the nutrition section :-

*LV's grocery List
*Nutrition 101

It is important to know things like nutrition timing - covered in the sticky.

LIFTING and deep fried food do not go together ========sorry!

gday mate, just reading over what you posted.....i definately would not reccommend going to the gym 5 times per week and working each body part to failure, ur gonna get an injury quicker that you could ever imagine. if your a beginner do a MAXIMUM of 3 full body workouts per week, try to space them out as much as possible, and start with light weight and higher reps. Once your muscles start getting used to it, pump the weight up and start dropping the reps and then only twice per week. and deep fried pork chops? no go mate, u gotta give ur body good food m friend, it dont matter who you are, deep fried pork chops aint good for ya. i hope ive been of some assistance and enjoy