Free weights or machines? This is a common dilemma that many of us face when we walk into the gym. Today, we are going to tell you why we make a beeline for the free weights in the gym instead of the weight machines.
Before we tell you all the reasons why we love free weights, let’s define free weights. Free weights are weights that you can pick up and move around. They are not attached to anything and the only thing you are fighting against is the force of gravity on that object. Dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells, sandbags, and medicine balls are all examples of free weights. Here’s why we prefer free weights over machines:
Accessible
Free weights are the perfect fitness tool if you don’t have a gym membership or workout at home. They are much more affordable compared to machines. You can get a set or two of dumbbells for a relatively affordable price and have a really good workout. Machines on the other hand are often expensive and take up a lot of space. Therefore, machines may not be suitable if you have a tight budget or a small workout space.
Versatile
Free weights come in many different shapes and sizes. This means that you can do a wide variety of exercises using free weights. You can also work every part of your body using a limited amount of free weights. In fact, you can get a full-body workout with just a single pair of dumbbells! Machines on the other hand are very specialized and often only allow you to work one area of your body. You may need multiple machines to work different areas of your body. Depending on your circumstances, this may not be a viable option.
Functional
Using free weights allows you to move in more natural ways, just like you would in real life. While machines restrict you to one plane of movement, free weights give your body the freedom to move throughout all three planes of motion. Therefore, free weights are more functional compared to machines and will help you become better at living your life outside the gym. Isn’t that why we work out in the first place??!!
Efficient
When you use free weights, you activate more muscles and engage smaller stabilizer muscles. This is because your body requires more balance and coordination to keep free weights steady compared to using machines. This ultimately leads to greater strength gains and faster progress in the gym. Free weights can also be used for power and speed training. This is something very challenging to do with machines. If you are looking for an effective workout tool, free weights might just be your answer!
While machines can be useful in certain situations, such as rehabilitation or isolating specific muscles, incorporating free weights into your workout routine can provide a well-rounded and functional approach to strength training. Invest in some free weights and take your fitness to a whole new level!
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