Machines in gym whats good whats bad? - Ausbb

kindred · 20-11-2009, 08:36 PM

I got a gym membership to a 24 hour gym that is 100% machines acept dumbbells. Because i wanted to lift weights before work which i couldnt do with my home gym as it wakes the people next door.

ANYWAY

I was thinking today about machines in most gyms. I know free weights are better but can some stuff in the gym actually be ok? Some of the machine i was specifically thinking of is:

- assisted pull-up machine
- ab machines (they leave my abs burning so they must be doing somethin)
- Smith machine (im convinced they do something I just dont know what)
- rowing machines
- stationery bike
- lat pull down (?? i dunno about these)
- deadlift/squat machine (this is a new one i only saw today it isnt a machine as such but it tilts up like a wheel barrow but you add weight to it.)

Im not a fan of biceps machines or leg machines of any sort.

Morgan · 20-11-2009, 08:42 PM

* reaches for popcorn *

Fadi · 20-11-2009, 09:51 PM

Machines in gym whats good whats bad?

It's not the machines per se but your effort and training plan that counts. You can become a MR. Olympia using only machines, or be a total unknown using only free weights. I know, they are some big statements I'm making here; but I'm trying to emphasise that it's the way you train instead of your reliance on this machine or that d/bell that is at the heart of the matter.

It’s no different with knowledge; it’s not how much you know, but what you do with what you know that counts. Are you with me kindred?

Fadi.

kindred · 20-11-2009, 10:14 PM

Yep I know what you mean. I think im gonna need to learn more about dumb-bells tho as i cant fint in some of the machines there. I think they were build for gnomes.

hyjak · 20-11-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgan

* reaches for popcorn *

*pulls up a seat next to Morgan and grabs a handful of popcorn*

Shrek · 20-11-2009, 11:06 PM

Lightly salted I hope....... mmmmmmmmmmm

aussieBaller · 20-11-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyjak

*pulls up a seat next to Morgan and grabs a handful of popcorn*

Can I join?

hyjak · 20-11-2009, 11:50 PM

yeah but you better chuck some more popcorn in the microwave, Morgan just tried to blend the last lot into a shake, said something about waxy maize is good carbs or something.....

**The Hulk** · 21-11-2009, 09:24 AM

For bodybuilding, a good machine would be one which targets your intended muscle/s, through a full range of motion preferably, which feels comfortable with your body proportions, which can have increased resistance easily as you progress.

There are alot of good plate loaded leverage machines for all different exercises, like Hammer Strength, if they are isolateral, it's even better.
Some cable machines can be good too, for certain exercises, you can do so much with just a lat pulldown machine which also has a low pulley.

21-11-2009, 09:51 AM

It's not the machines per se but your effort and training plan that counts.[/QUOTE]Agree 100%

Your muscles only know work/resistance. They can't differentiate between how that resistance is created. For example, machine shoulder press, dumbbell shoulder press and barbell shoulder press all equal a load on the shoulder (and assistance) muscles when you ask those muscles to lift the load.

Yes you will be limited by the variations you can use with your training, but you should still be able to perform and adequate workout.

20-11-2009, 08:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
kindred Active Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Australia Gender: Posts: 3,102	Machines in gym whats good whats bad? I got a gym membership to a 24 hour gym that is 100% machines acept dumbbells. Because i wanted to lift weights before work which i couldnt do with my home gym as it wakes the people next door. ANYWAY I was thinking today about machines in most gyms. I know free weights are better but can some stuff in the gym actually be ok? Some of the machine i was specifically thinking of is: - assisted pull-up machine - ab machines (they leave my abs burning so they must be doing somethin) - Smith machine (im convinced they do something I just dont know what) - rowing machines - stationery bike - lat pull down (?? i dunno about these) - deadlift/squat machine (this is a new one i only saw today it isnt a machine as such but it tilts up like a wheel barrow but you add weight to it.) Im not a fan of biceps machines or leg machines of any sort. __________________ http://ausbb.com/member-training-dia...html#post80479

20-11-2009, 08:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Morgan Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Melbourne Gender: Posts: 1,417	* reaches for popcorn * __________________ 6'4", 119kg - Bulking to 125-130kg by September... Recent PB's - Bench 175kg x 1 145kg 5x5, Weighted Pullups +25kg 5x5, Sumo Deadlift 250kg x 1 180kg 5x5, Squat 200kg x 1 160kg 5x5, BB Row 115kg 5x5

20-11-2009, 09:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fadi Super Moderator Ausbb's resident Yoda Join Date: Jul 2009 Gender: Posts: 3,415	Machines in gym whats good whats bad? It's not the machines per se but your effort and training plan that counts. You can become a MR. Olympia using only machines, or be a total unknown using only free weights. I know, they are some big statements I'm making here; but I'm trying to emphasise that it's the way you train instead of your reliance on this machine or that d/bell that is at the heart of the matter. It’s no different with knowledge; it’s not how much you know, but what you do with what you know that counts. Are you with me kindred? Fadi. __________________ Squat 200kg, FSquat 195kg, C&J 160kg, PC 140kg, MP 90kg.

20-11-2009, 10:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
kindred Active Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: South Australia Gender: Posts: 3,102	Yep I know what you mean. I think im gonna need to learn more about dumb-bells tho as i cant fint in some of the machines there. I think they were build for gnomes. __________________ http://ausbb.com/member-training-dia...html#post80479

20-11-2009, 11:50 PM	#8 (permalink)
hyjak Active Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Melbourne Gender: Posts: 1,877	yeah but you better chuck some more popcorn in the microwave, Morgan just tried to blend the last lot into a shake, said something about waxy maize is good carbs or something..... __________________ Resident Reese's addict - powered by peanut butter cups

21-11-2009, 09:24 AM	#9 (permalink)
The Hulk Active Member Site Advertiser Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Sydney Gender: Posts: 2,092	For bodybuilding, a good machine would be one which targets your intended muscle/s, through a full range of motion preferably, which feels comfortable with your body proportions, which can have increased resistance easily as you progress. There are alot of good plate loaded leverage machines for all different exercises, like Hammer Strength, if they are isolateral, it's even better. Some cable machines can be good too, for certain exercises, you can do so much with just a lat pulldown machine which also has a low pulley. Last edited by The Hulk; 21-11-2009 at 09:36 AM.

21-11-2009, 09:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
Shame Guest Posts: n/a	It's not the machines per se but your effort and training plan that counts.[/QUOTE]Agree 100% Your muscles only know work/resistance. They can't differentiate between how that resistance is created. For example, machine shoulder press, dumbbell shoulder press and barbell shoulder press all equal a load on the shoulder (and assistance) muscles when you ask those muscles to lift the load. Yes you will be limited by the variations you can use with your training, but you should still be able to perform and adequate workout.