because iv'e come to the decision that i hate the gym i was wondering if i could get a full body workout with free weights... whats are the benefits of the machines in the gym?

-Thx lol

Nice thread man. I was about to make a new thread about this. Im thinking of getting dumbells and the bar for "bench press". I dont actually need to bench do? Could I use my bed to do bench presses?

they don't have free weights at the gym? machines don't offer any benifits unless you're injured and need to rehab a specific muscle or something like that.

I thought free weigths were like dumbells etc. Free from a machine in other words.

oh snap, sorry! That's suppose to say "Machines don't offer any benifits.."

oki mate! FEW! Thought "nooo. i wana work out in my room" I been using machines for like the 5 months ive been working out but I must admit I feel the burn so much faster with dumbells Can you use dumbells to work torso/shoulders and tri-cepts?

well, at the gym they probably have more free weight equipment than you do at home.. they don't? You'll need a squat rack for sure in order to work out efficiently.

You can work every muscle with dumbbels, no problem. Do you only have dumbbells? any benches, barbells, squat racks, etc?

Nope. Might order some 25kg dumbells for now. I will be working out in my room so no benches etc :S

did you cancel your gym membership?

Listen everyone try not to put out bad information without the research. Here is the skinny on both free weight and machine.

Free weight: The best free weight to use are the bumb bells they are verstile and offer so much more range of motion and for a full body work out. I personally use only dumb bells and since I am getting recertified as PT I will offer my clients only dumb bell work outs as appropriate.

Machine: The machines are not bad the concentrate on one particular muscle group or individual muscle. It keeps you from cheating and they do have there benefits. But they do from time to time cause some injury do to the constriction of the movement, if not properly seated or properly positioned.

So in closing both free weight and machines offer benefits and don't discount anything. There will be times that you will want to use a machine for a specific exercise and other times not.

If you are going to a full body work out I have some ideas for you that you might like.

I like Karen Voight's DVD Great Weighted Workout for a full body workout with weights. I also like Kari Anderson's Tone it Up, which is shorter and a little more dancey.

Now now Karks...you know better than that. Remember that a muscle doesn't recognize if it's a machine, a sandbag, a free weight, a big tire, etc. All the body knows is something is heavy.

Free weights pwn machines most of the time. Sure, sometimes machines can be good, but you'll most likely end up with more overuse injuries and stuff like that. A muscle doesn't know if it is a machine or not, but your CNS notices if it is something that needs co ordination or not.