wutangnomo
New member
InTraining said:Good debate going on here...gotta agree with Wnt2 for a few reasons...
Personally from experience and just observing various gym goers it is obvious who uses machines as a base of routines and who uses them for supporting roles or assistance in the end...
I would say free weights comprise 80%-90% of my exercises and machines are used for assistance...though I do believe machines have some benefits(cables and resistance through the whole movement IE a lateral raise and a nautilus pullover machine etc.)
I see guys all the time doing lots of weight with lat pulldowns...cable rows...and yet their backs are laughable...using good form mind you....
There IS a difference in bodys that were built with free weights vs.machines....a certain density that one lacks when they rely on machines too much...
Basing a routine around machines is not optimal IMHO....there is a reason compounds should be the centerpiece of any routine...they give the best results!
I agree with you on some points, but I never said to base a routine soley around machines. I have been saying variety all along and to not knock machines. My only caveat is the attitude that if someone has great legs or a great back one automatically assumes they deadlift and squat. That is incorrect b/c one can still build a great back and legs performing other exercises.
As for your comment about guys having laughable backs or whatnot using machines, the problem is not the exercise, it is the fact that thei diets suck and that they do not CONSTANTLY progress upwards with the weight. If they were doing deads and squats they'd still have laughable physiques b/c they don't up the weight and lift intensely. So it really doesn't matter what exercise these guys do.