10/07/2026
The age old question:
"Are free weights better than machines?"
It depends. Are you trying to build muscle? Get strong and athletic? Rehab an injury? Are you brand new to lifting?
Your answer determines whether or not using machines is a good use of your training time.
“I WANT TO BUILD MUSCLE”
Ok, then machines are just fine.
They may even be better for building muscle than free weights because they don’t have the same stability and balance demands.
This means 1.) you can isolate your target muscle easier, and 2.) you can get closer to failure without risking injury.
If aesthetics are your main focus, the equipment you use - barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, machines - doesn’t really matter.
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“I WANT TO GET STRONG AND ATHLETIC.”
Ok, free weights reign supreme.
They require more balance and stability, challenge your core, and force you to move your body through a more natural pattern.
This translates to greater gains in strength and athleticism (machines don’t have that same carryover).
..
“I’M REHABBING AN INJURY."
Choose whichever training tool allows you to work AROUND the injury without causing pain.
In most cases, this will be machines.
But that doesn’t mean machines are the only tool. It just means they’re a good one, and something to fall back on if free weights aren’t an option for a short time.
Remember, “no pain, no gain” when you’re injured is bullish*t.
...
“I’M BRAND NEW TO LIFTING.”
Ok, machines are a great starting point.
You can put a lot of stress on your target muscles with minimal injury risk, and this is great for adherence (because you’ll start seeing fast results).
Still, I'd try to include free weights as quickly as you can.
One, because they’re fun. Two, because most people don’t just want to build muscle; they also want to be strong and athletic, and that requires you to lift some heavy iron.
Start with machines. Layer on some lighter free weights. Then as you get more advanced, the proportion of free weights can go up while the proportion of machines goes down.
Hundreds of Transformations. 11 years experience
Make a choice
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