Whenever I walk in a gym, majority of the people I see tend to gravitate towards the machines for their workouts. NO I'm not talking about large machinery operated by gay steel mill workers, but machines which are designed to replace traditional workout movements e.g. the bench press. These machines were designed to be a safe and easier alternative to our classic favourite workouts, in fact you can lift heavier weights due to the support system and not look like such a boob in front of the large 300 pound bench pressing jock-man.
Unfortunately, if you use a machine, those big jock-men will still think you're a boob anyway. Machines, although easier to operate and will remove the danger of having a large dumbbell drop on you (Which I have NEVER seen by the way), will eventually be a terrible detriment to your future workout progress. As I quote Mike Burgener's Power to the 4th exercise guidelines given in the Men's Health Power Training book, "Doing all of your training while supported puts your body in a fairy-tale like world in which core stability and balance are of no consequence." Neglecting your core and various stabilizer muscles is a huge mistake since it strengthens your body under an unstable state, thus reducing the reliance of your muscles on a non-existent support system in real life when you perform actual physical activities.
So if somebody outbenches you with a machine during a workout, don't feel too bad, in the long run you'll be stronger and more well equipped to handle REAL physical activities. Besides it'll be fun to see him shake uncontrollably to balance two dumbbells or a barbell if he attempts free weight exercises. Although I have to admit, the only exception to use machines for me would be for pullup and chinup exercises. For a significant segment of gym-goers, it would be hard to perform, lets say, 3 sets of 10 repetitions free weight pullups or chinups. Therefore that particular machine would be useful for beginners who want to improve their strength before they tackle the real deal.
Unfortunately, if you use a machine, those big jock-men will still think you're a boob anyway. Machines, although easier to operate and will remove the danger of having a large dumbbell drop on you (Which I have NEVER seen by the way), will eventually be a terrible detriment to your future workout progress. As I quote Mike Burgener's Power to the 4th exercise guidelines given in the Men's Health Power Training book, "Doing all of your training while supported puts your body in a fairy-tale like world in which core stability and balance are of no consequence." Neglecting your core and various stabilizer muscles is a huge mistake since it strengthens your body under an unstable state, thus reducing the reliance of your muscles on a non-existent support system in real life when you perform actual physical activities.
So if somebody outbenches you with a machine during a workout, don't feel too bad, in the long run you'll be stronger and more well equipped to handle REAL physical activities. Besides it'll be fun to see him shake uncontrollably to balance two dumbbells or a barbell if he attempts free weight exercises. Although I have to admit, the only exception to use machines for me would be for pullup and chinup exercises. For a significant segment of gym-goers, it would be hard to perform, lets say, 3 sets of 10 repetitions free weight pullups or chinups. Therefore that particular machine would be useful for beginners who want to improve their strength before they tackle the real deal.
In conclusion, PEOPLE PLEASE USE FREE WEIGHT EXERCISES! It will be the best thing to happen to you, do you think the large Samoan people got strong by carrying their farming equipment with a machine-esque support system that went everywhere they worked?
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