Free weight vs weight machines: What is better?

Many gym-goers often seem to be confused about building strength. Dumbbells, pulleys, ropes or machines, there are so many options available that they often find it hard to decide which one to go for: free weights vs. machines. If you are someone who exercises regularly, this thought might have also crossed your mind – where should you spend maximum time. Here we will decode this answer for you.

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We all know the benefits of strength training exercises. It helps to strengthen our bones, increases muscle mass and cuts down the risk of injury. Whether you choose to pick a dumbbell or hop on the machine, both will be beneficial in some or another way. Both of them have their pros and cons and the decision depends on your fitness level and goals.

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In case you are a beginner, then machines are a better option for you. That’s because while using machines, you do not have to worry about your form. You can work with a heavyweight without getting injured or straining your muscles. It can also help to maximise your performance. In case of dumbbells and barbells, you need to be cautious about your form. Once you master the form, you can easily experiment with free-weights.

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If you aim to target more muscles, then free weights are a better option. Lifting free weights like a dumbbell, barbell and medicine ball allow you to work on more muscles and promote functional fitness. Machines have a fixed range of motion and you can perform fixed exercises on them. With free weights, you can try variations that can help you target more muscle groups. Besides, you do not need to go to the gym for that. You can set up a mini-workout area in any corner of your home.

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With free weights, you can perform more exercises. You can easily get a full-body workout in less than 30 minutes and can engage more muscle groups. They can help you target all the small muscles located deep inside the tissue that may be hard to activate by using machines. While using a free weight you need to maintain balance, which can promote more activity of the joint stabilizer muscles.

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Both the free weight and weight machine have their benefits and drawbacks. You should first evaluate your fitness level before choosing any one of the two. You can add both to your routine depending on your mood and the type of muscle you want to focus on. On lazy days, you can just choose a machine, which can help you get a good sweating session, without much effort, while on days you are willing to work go for free weight. Try different kinds of weights and different variations of exercises.

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