Yeah, free weights are much better for building real world strength and overall fitness. Machines are better for making specific muscles larger.
No. Free-weights are better there too.
Up to a point. They are better for actual bodybuilders who just need to really push one single muscle with massive weight. Which is pretty much what they were originally designed for, I believe.
Free weights will serve you better in the long run, but as a novice machines will do the job admirably. I reiterate, though: as you progress further and grow more comfortable with your body, free weights are extremely useful. Not only are they easier and more convenient if you ever need to improvise outside of the gym, but they recruit the use of secondary and even tertiary stabilizing muscles that otherwise lay dormant. You know that uncomfortable and indescribable soreness you get after pushing a car out of the snow, or helping a friend move furniture? A lot of that is relatable to how untaxed these 'real world' muscles are by machines designed to target a niche muscle group.
This is actually a very important point.
You are only as strong as the weakest supporting muscle, tendon, ligament, or bone. Using machines is a great way to build up individual muscles without working all the associated support structures. Far too many people get injured because they use a few machines that really isolate muscles and exercise them well, and then they go and tear a bunch of shit because they're suddenly supporting the huge load through their arm, back, hips, and legs instead of just pushing against the machine.
Yeah, free weights are much better for building real world strength and overall fitness. Machines are better for making specific muscles larger.
No. Free-weights are better there too.
Up to a point. They are better for actual bodybuilders who just need to really push one single muscle with massive weight. Which is pretty much what they were originally designed for, I believe.
can we just agree that going to the gym is better than staying at home?
That depends. Do you have free-weights at home?
I've heard the long term compliance rate at the gym is much stronger then at-home equipment, since you're paying monthly for the gym access. That monthly payment is a big motivator.
I refuse to make it a "resolution", as those (personally and statistically) fall through, but I am making a point of eating better (healthier, less) and hitting the gym as often as I can, if nothing else than to offset a renewed WoW addiction.
Hell, I'm wrapping up a report here at work and going to the gym right now.
My goal is twice a week to start, but I'm not going to beat myself up if I only get there once for whatever reason, and will be pleased with myself if I manage 3 or more times in a week.
I intend to do this so I can feel better, live a longer, healthier life, and yes, admittedly, look better. At 6'4" I'm told I carry what weight I have well (definitely overweight, but not obese), but I know I can do better on a lot of fronts.
Anyway, this is a good thread and I wanted to toss my figurative hat into the ring. I turn 30 this year (in less than 2 months, actually) and figuring I hope to live another three or four (or more) decades, I'd like them to be good ones.
Forar on
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKER!
You really want to aim to hit the gym 3x a week, since it lets you work a really good breakdown of legs/shoulders, back+bis, chest + tris + core. It's not about being he-man and working out for 1-2 hours, but more about starting with compound lifts to get your muscles used to moving. You're not really doing yourself any favours if you just go right into isolated muscle exercises. For example:
Good starting lifts:
Front + Back Squats
Benchpress
Military Press
Rows
Lunges
Pulldowns
Bad starting lifts:
Concentration curls
Pec Decks
and other single-muscle machines
Yeah, free weights are much better for building real world strength and overall fitness. Machines are better for making specific muscles larger.
No. Free-weights are better there too.
Up to a point. They are better for actual bodybuilders who just need to really push one single muscle with massive weight. Which is pretty much what they were originally designed for, I believe.
Bodybuilders are retarded, but I digress.
Charles Atlas didn't need no stinkin' weights. He used his own body! "How does Mr. Tiger keep in physical condition? Did you ever see a tiger with a barbell?"
You're much better off doing something than nothing, and like I said- machines are just fine starting out. If that's all you're comfortable with, and doing them keeps yo wokring out, then definitely go ahead. Doing anything a few times a week is better than doing something 'better' zero times a week
You really want to aim to hit the gym 3x a week, since it lets you work a really good breakdown of legs/shoulders, back+bis, chest + tris + core. It's not about being he-man and working out for 1-2 hours, but more about starting with compound lifts to get your muscles used to moving. You're not really doing yourself any favours if you just go right into isolated muscle exercises. For example:
Good starting lifts:
Front + Back Squats
Benchpress
Military Press
Rows
Lunges
Pulldowns
Bad starting lifts:
Concentration curls
Pec Decks
and other single-muscle machines
Deadliiiiiiiifts
RedTide on
RedTide#1907 on Battle.net
Come Overwatch with meeeee
The squat doesn't involve such strong moments about the pelvis, and it's easier to 'feel' when your back is in-line during a squat since it remains largely static.
Robman on
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Irond WillWARNING: NO HURTFUL COMMENTS, PLEASE!!!!!Cambridge. MAModeratormod
I am starting back to the gym this week. My ladyfriend has lost like 40 lbs over the past year and is in fantastic shape while I am hovering around 170 lbs and am not thrilled about my gut.
Aren't you tall like a freak?
no i am only 6 feet tall.
i did make it to the gym tonight. I did a few miles on the treadmill. I have an appointment with a trainer tomorrow.
You really want to aim to hit the gym 3x a week, since it lets you work a really good breakdown of legs/shoulders, back+bis, chest + tris + core. It's not about being he-man and working out for 1-2 hours, but more about starting with compound lifts to get your muscles used to moving.
Good to know, I'll have to up my aim and strive for that 3x mark.
I'm opening up with mostly cardio, but I'm not ignoring some time on the free weights to coincide with that.
Yesterday was a success, going back tonight, and should probably pop onto the scale in the changeroom so I know my starting point again.
Forar on
First they came for the Muslims, and we said NOT TODAY, MOTHERFUCKER!
The squat doesn't involve such strong moments about the pelvis, and it's easier to 'feel' when your back is in-line during a squat since it remains largely static.
I don't really agree with this specifically or generally. That's always the thing about free weight lifts, is that they are better FOR beginners, even though they are all more difficult to do, both in terms of effort and in terms of injury potential. I always found deadlifts WAY easier to do than squats though, especially if you're making an effort to do squats right (ie, deep).
Interesting tip regarding the free weights. I've been hitting the gym regularly since getting out of the video game industry, but for months and months I was just doing an hour of cardio five days a week. I wasn't very pleased with the results. I started doing a half hour of weights and a half hour of cardio three of those five days, and now I've moved it up to four days with weights and one with cardio. My weight exercises are about 50% machine based and 50% free weights. Things like shoulders, biceps and triceps tend to be free weights and chest, legs and back tend to be machine based. Would it be worthwhile going all free weight?
So, why don't we update the op with weights and goals of those interested?
I know part of the reason why I was able to loose the weight this time around, as opposed to any other times, was because I was using sparkpeople to track my weight loss, and I had a couple friends doing that too. On that site you can check each other's progress, and that was a big motivator.
Interesting tip regarding the free weights. I've been hitting the gym regularly since getting out of the video game industry, but for months and months I was just doing an hour of cardio five days a week. I wasn't very pleased with the results. I started doing a half hour of weights and a half hour of cardio three of those five days, and now I've moved it up to four days with weights and one with cardio. My weight exercises are about 50% machine based and 50% free weights. Things like shoulders, biceps and triceps tend to be free weights and chest, legs and back tend to be machine based. Would it be worthwhile going all free weight?
Chest, legs and back are a looot better to do free-weights, because of the huge number of support muscles they involve. Although, it's really fucking annoying to work your hamstrings not on a machine and you MUST, absolutely MUST work them about as hard as you work your quads or you will DESTROY your knees.
So, why don't we update the op with weights and goals of those interested?
I know part of the reason why I was able to loose the weight this time around, as opposed to any other times, was because I was using sparkpeople to track my weight loss, and I had a couple friends doing that too. On that site you can check each other's progress, and that was a big motivator.
Will do. Guys, PM me with your current and target weights and progress towards your target, I'll update the OP at least 1x/day. Also, let's agree that we weigh ourselves in the morning post-morning evacuation and pre-breakfast.
Interesting tip regarding the free weights. I've been hitting the gym regularly since getting out of the video game industry, but for months and months I was just doing an hour of cardio five days a week. I wasn't very pleased with the results. I started doing a half hour of weights and a half hour of cardio three of those five days, and now I've moved it up to four days with weights and one with cardio. My weight exercises are about 50% machine based and 50% free weights. Things like shoulders, biceps and triceps tend to be free weights and chest, legs and back tend to be machine based. Would it be worthwhile going all free weight?
Chest, legs and back are a looot better to do free-weights, because of the huge number of support muscles they involve. Although, it's really fucking annoying to work your hamstrings not on a machine and you MUST, absolutely MUST work them about as hard as you work your quads or you will DESTROY your knees.
The squat doesn't involve such strong moments about the pelvis, and it's easier to 'feel' when your back is in-line during a squat since it remains largely static.
If you're a complete novice to free weights you should either be shelling out for lessons or going with a friend who knows what hes doing anyway. People shouldn't be winging this shit because you can hurt yourself just as badly doing a bad squat or racking the bar wrong after a bench set as you can during a deadlift.
And if you're paying the money to get trained, your nuts to not learn how to deadlift asap
RedTide on
RedTide#1907 on Battle.net
Come Overwatch with meeeee
So, why don't we update the op with weights and goals of those interested?
I know part of the reason why I was able to loose the weight this time around, as opposed to any other times, was because I was using sparkpeople to track my weight loss, and I had a couple friends doing that too. On that site you can check each other's progress, and that was a big motivator.
Agreed. One thing that helped me stick with regular exercise last year was participating in future events. I trained for cycling because I was going to do a century ride (and didn't want to be in pain). Then I started running and got more into that when I signed up for a solstice 5k. Without those goals, even though they're not olympiad goals, it would've been a lot easier to say "eh, I feel like sleeping in today" and only working out occasionally.
So, why don't we update the op with weights and goals of those interested?
I know part of the reason why I was able to loose the weight this time around, as opposed to any other times, was because I was using sparkpeople to track my weight loss, and I had a couple friends doing that too. On that site you can check each other's progress, and that was a big motivator.
Will do. Guys, PM me with your current and target weights and progress towards your target, I'll update the OP at least 1x/day. Also, let's agree that we weigh ourselves in the morning post-morning evacuation and pre-breakfast.
What if I eat breakfast before my morning evacuation?
So, why don't we update the op with weights and goals of those interested?
I know part of the reason why I was able to loose the weight this time around, as opposed to any other times, was because I was using sparkpeople to track my weight loss, and I had a couple friends doing that too. On that site you can check each other's progress, and that was a big motivator.
Agreed. One thing that helped me stick with regular exercise last year was participating in future events. I trained for cycling because I was going to do a century ride (and didn't want to be in pain). Then I started running and got more into that when I signed up for a solstice 5k. Without those goals, even though they're not olympiad goals, it would've been a lot easier to say "eh, I feel like sleeping in today" and only working out occasionally.
I second this. Having a goal that actually involves potential failure should you choose to not workout is much more motivating than something based around appearance. When I was training for my first race, that's what kept me getting out of bed.
So, why don't we update the op with weights and goals of those interested?
I know part of the reason why I was able to loose the weight this time around, as opposed to any other times, was because I was using sparkpeople to track my weight loss, and I had a couple friends doing that too. On that site you can check each other's progress, and that was a big motivator.
Will do. Guys, PM me with your current and target weights and progress towards your target, I'll update the OP at least 1x/day. Also, let's agree that we weigh ourselves in the morning post-morning evacuation and pre-breakfast.
What if I eat breakfast before my morning evacuation?
Drink a cup of coffee before your shower, the coffee enema never fails.
Posts
Up to a point. They are better for actual bodybuilders who just need to really push one single muscle with massive weight. Which is pretty much what they were originally designed for, I believe.
This is actually a very important point.
You are only as strong as the weakest supporting muscle, tendon, ligament, or bone. Using machines is a great way to build up individual muscles without working all the associated support structures. Far too many people get injured because they use a few machines that really isolate muscles and exercise them well, and then they go and tear a bunch of shit because they're suddenly supporting the huge load through their arm, back, hips, and legs instead of just pushing against the machine.
Bodybuilders are retarded, but I digress.
I've heard the long term compliance rate at the gym is much stronger then at-home equipment, since you're paying monthly for the gym access. That monthly payment is a big motivator.
Hell, I'm wrapping up a report here at work and going to the gym right now.
My goal is twice a week to start, but I'm not going to beat myself up if I only get there once for whatever reason, and will be pleased with myself if I manage 3 or more times in a week.
I intend to do this so I can feel better, live a longer, healthier life, and yes, admittedly, look better. At 6'4" I'm told I carry what weight I have well (definitely overweight, but not obese), but I know I can do better on a lot of fronts.
Anyway, this is a good thread and I wanted to toss my figurative hat into the ring. I turn 30 this year (in less than 2 months, actually) and figuring I hope to live another three or four (or more) decades, I'd like them to be good ones.
Good starting lifts:
Front + Back Squats
Benchpress
Military Press
Rows
Lunges
Pulldowns
Bad starting lifts:
Concentration curls
Pec Decks
and other single-muscle machines
Charles Atlas didn't need no stinkin' weights. He used his own body! "How does Mr. Tiger keep in physical condition? Did you ever see a tiger with a barbell?"
You're much better off doing something than nothing, and like I said- machines are just fine starting out. If that's all you're comfortable with, and doing them keeps yo wokring out, then definitely go ahead. Doing anything a few times a week is better than doing something 'better' zero times a week
Kick ass, Skippy
Deadliiiiiiiifts
Come Overwatch with meeeee
Is a concentration curl another name for preacher curls?
A concentration curl is a preacher curl without the use of the stationary pad- you simply brace your elbow.
Because they are complicated or work only the advanced muscles?
Because if you do them wrong you can do real, serious and irreversible damage to yourself
The squat doesn't involve such strong moments about the pelvis, and it's easier to 'feel' when your back is in-line during a squat since it remains largely static.
no i am only 6 feet tall.
i did make it to the gym tonight. I did a few miles on the treadmill. I have an appointment with a trainer tomorrow.
i am unemployed, and so i have a lot of time, and i figure i should use some of it to become less scrawny.
i have a number of adjustable-load free weights. what are the basic exercises i should be doing to start with, for basic conditioning?
Good to know, I'll have to up my aim and strive for that 3x mark.
I'm opening up with mostly cardio, but I'm not ignoring some time on the free weights to coincide with that.
Yesterday was a success, going back tonight, and should probably pop onto the scale in the changeroom so I know my starting point again.
I don't really agree with this specifically or generally. That's always the thing about free weight lifts, is that they are better FOR beginners, even though they are all more difficult to do, both in terms of effort and in terms of injury potential. I always found deadlifts WAY easier to do than squats though, especially if you're making an effort to do squats right (ie, deep).
Also on Steam and PSN: twobadcats
I know part of the reason why I was able to loose the weight this time around, as opposed to any other times, was because I was using sparkpeople to track my weight loss, and I had a couple friends doing that too. On that site you can check each other's progress, and that was a big motivator.
Chest, legs and back are a looot better to do free-weights, because of the huge number of support muscles they involve. Although, it's really fucking annoying to work your hamstrings not on a machine and you MUST, absolutely MUST work them about as hard as you work your quads or you will DESTROY your knees.
Will do. Guys, PM me with your current and target weights and progress towards your target, I'll update the OP at least 1x/day. Also, let's agree that we weigh ourselves in the morning post-morning evacuation and pre-breakfast.
Deep squats will work your hamstrings as well.
If you're a complete novice to free weights you should either be shelling out for lessons or going with a friend who knows what hes doing anyway. People shouldn't be winging this shit because you can hurt yourself just as badly doing a bad squat or racking the bar wrong after a bench set as you can during a deadlift.
And if you're paying the money to get trained, your nuts to not learn how to deadlift asap
Come Overwatch with meeeee
Agreed. One thing that helped me stick with regular exercise last year was participating in future events. I trained for cycling because I was going to do a century ride (and didn't want to be in pain). Then I started running and got more into that when I signed up for a solstice 5k. Without those goals, even though they're not olympiad goals, it would've been a lot easier to say "eh, I feel like sleeping in today" and only working out occasionally.
I second this. Having a goal that actually involves potential failure should you choose to not workout is much more motivating than something based around appearance. When I was training for my first race, that's what kept me getting out of bed.
Drink a cup of coffee before your shower, the coffee enema never fails.
What the fuck is wrong with you people?
I crawl from bed to shower personally, what the fuck is wrong with you?
That's how life is as an adult. Okay?
Pluto was a planet and I'll never forget
I admit it's not smart
But it's over a decade of habit
It's wake->eat->shower->shave->brush teeth
cavities are a habit too
don't try to fight it.