Free Weights vs. Machines

For years I have heard numerous iron pumpers trash machines for resistance training. I started training with some dumbbells and a barbell with plates I purchased for home use decades ago. It was all I knew until I joined my first health club in 1978. They had the Universal brand chrome resistance .machines that I found fascinating. Since then the technology is amazing. My favorite to this day was the original Nautilus machines. They were monsters in size and the feeling of resistance made you want to come back again and again. The nay sayers of machines believe that one will not focus and could injure themselves or make them lazy during their training For myself, I use both free weights, and machines. They both are resistance training, but in my opinion are different. Free weights give you a larger range of motion. On the flip side of that you can favor one side of your body more than the other. Machines you are put into a position that you cannot adjust other than the length of seat and sides. I always advise someone that wants to workout in minimal time without a trainer to go straight to the machines and use every single one then get out. It is easy, they don’t have to feel silly and eventually end up curious enough to ask someone about the free weights. Of course different exercises one will be more beneficial than the other. But I truly feel that I would not be able to be at my best without the use of both.