Free Weight vs. Machines
By zeloguy
@zeloguy (4911)
United States
March 27, 2009 11:03pm CST
When I am at the gym I invariably come across people who ONLY use freeweights or others who are afraid to use them and stick only to using machines or cardio equipment (treadmills, bikes, etc...).
When you go to the gym do you use freeweights or machines or a combination of both like I do?
Thanks
Zelo
Zelo 2 people like this
8 responses
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
28 Mar 09
When I go to a gym..which it has been awhile..but I head for the machines and don't mess with the free weights. I don't know if it is a girl thing or not but most of the girls used the machines while the men worked with the free weights. I just find that the machines are easier. I do have a few weights at home but nothing over 2 pounds that I workout with...ummm when I get the notion to work out.. 
2 people like this
@zeloguy (4911)
• United States
28 Mar 09
I can understand that it can be intimidating to use free weights and it is good that you get to the gym and use the machines. One great thing about the machines is that for the most part your form is better with them than with free weights.
Thanks for the answer.
Thanks
Zelo
Zelo 1 person likes this
@mtdewgurl74 (18151)
• United States
28 Mar 09
I like mine I can use them as I walk and won't have to worry about them putting alot of strain on my arms. I use them mostly to tone with.
@GardenGerty (157563)
• United States
28 Mar 09
My maximum weights at home are 10 lbs. I do not use them often. I can tell I need to do some strength training as I am turning into a wimp.
@polachicago (18716)
• United States
28 Mar 09
I am more into yoga, qi gong and aikodo...
In general is hard for me to use health club, because it is boring for me...
Also bicycling and walking is better, less boring.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
28 Mar 09
Aikido is a fascinating art. I think it's a wonderful art for women as well because it allows for the use of leverage, over say the harder forms that rely more on strength. I've also heard of Quigong. Are you studying to become a practitioner or do you just go to healing sessions?
Namaste-Anora
@GardenGerty (157563)
• United States
28 Mar 09
I have not been to a gym in ages. I tended to use cardio machines, universal weight machines and just a few light hand weights. Some resistance band work is great, too.
1 person likes this
My husband and I work out with free weights, although I don't do it as often as I should. 
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
28 Mar 09
Yes, it has. I know that gym memberships can be costly. My husband went to Gold's Gym years ago and paid $25 a month back then. It you double that for the year (for him and myself) it comes out to about the same amount that it cost us for the gym (including the additional weights we bought) and here it'll last us longer than a membership could. 
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
28 Mar 09
There's benefits in both, so I tend to do both machine and free weights. I also use my cross trainer. Of course, I own all of my equipment so I'm a bit spoiled lol.
Namaste-Anora
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
28 Mar 09
It was really a good investment. I had a personal trainer when I lived in Arizona, and that was truly costly, nice, but costly. It made more sense to invest in quality pieces and do my training at home where I'd be more motivated because I hop out of bed and there it is. I also study martial arts under my husband who is my Sensei. It's more freestyle, but it's quite a work out on its own.
Great topic by the way. Namaste- Anora
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
22 Jun 09
I have not gone to any gym. I actually have a threadmill at home with add ons like stationary bike, and many other stuffs that I can do. So I get to exercise in the comfort of my home. It was just lucky that my wife found the equipment on sale in a sports shop. So it was very cheap when we bought it.
