Machines vs. Free Weights: What’s Better for You?

Hello Ziddis! Show of hands who have grown to love strength training! So many of us! When it comes to strength training, the debate between using machine weights vs. using free weights is never-ending. Some prefer machines for ease and safety while others believe that free weights yield better results. But is there really a way we can figure out which one is superior to the other? Let us check out the pros and cons of each and compare their effect on our muscle growth, strength and endurance levels.

How Good Are The Machine Weights?

Gymgoers know the machines to be the easiest way to go about their workouts. So let us understand the pros and cons of the machine weights.

Pros of Machine Weight are:

• It is beginner-friendly. Machines help us get our movements correct. This pro makes the machine weight ideal for those who are new to weightlifting.
• Machines provide stability and lower the risk of injuries. This helps when lifting heavy weights making it a very safe option.
• Machine weights allow you to target specific muscle groups to work them out more effectively.
• If you are recovering from injuries, machine weights could be useful since they help with controlled movement patterns.

Cons of Machine Weights are:

• Machine weights do not follow real-life movements making it difficult to practice full functional strength exercises.
• Since machine weight stabilizes the weight for you, your core and smaller stabilizer muscles do not get the workout that they need.
• Not all machines fit every body type. This could lead to improper form.

Are Free Weights Better For Weightlifting?

Traditionally it is believed that free weights are more beneficial. But is it really? Let’s find out.

Pros of Free Weights are:

• Since you must stabilise the weight yourself, free weights engage more muscle, especially your core. This helps in greater muscle activation.
• The free weight helps in functional exercises. This is because free-weight movements are like real-life movements making them more practical for daily strength training.
• Free weights allow you a better range of motion so that you can have full control over how the weights move. This improves flexibility and muscle activation.
• You can perform a variety of exercises with just a set of dumbbells or barbells if you are into free weights.

Cons for Free Weights are:

• Without a proper form, free weights could be risky and increase your chances of getting injured. It is advised against for beginners.
• Proper technique is important so there needs to be prior experience of handling weights or you need to start at a very basic level.

Read Also: How Important is It to have a Bench Press Arch?

Machines vs. Free Weights: Battle for the best

In 2014, a study was published that analysed the effects of machine-based weightlifting vs. free-weight exercises on muscle size, strength and endurance. This study had an observation period of 8 weeks and concluded the following:

	Free weight	Machine weights
Muscle Size	Slightly more hypertrophy	Lesser muscle pump
Muscle Activation	Greater muscle activation	Lesser muscle activation
Strength Gains	More strength improvement	Less strength improvement
Endurance	Better endurance and power gains	Lesser endurance and power gain
Possibility of injury	More possibility	Less possibility
Convenience	More compact	Bulky and can not be moved

While machines offer a controlled and safer workout, free weights provide more gains. That said, machines can be useful for beginners, isolation training and injury recovery, while free weights are ideal for overall strength and athleticism.

Takeaway

Depending on whether your goal is muscle gain, muscle toning or weight loss, you can choose what tool is the best for you whether it is free weights or machine weights. But whichever you choose never forget to protein up before you hit those weights. MuscleBlaze has convenient protein options for you like protein bars, protein shakes, oat proteins, fit foods and more.

Know your goals and body before hopping on either machine weights or free weights. So which one will you be choosing for your next workout?