The 10 Machines You Must Avoid at Your Gym

[Matt Emery]

Interesting article on Machines Vs free/body weight exercises.

Link: http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/best-body/10_Machines_You_Must_Avoid.shtml

[HelderLuis]

Excellent post, i subscribe everything said there,  but i consider the smith machine the most dangerous of all, they should be forbiden in gyms. nothing can compare to natural movements, that our body is "designed" to do, it's the best way to develop strenght, and mass in a healthy natural way.

[Matt Emery]

i consider the smith machine the most dangerous of all, they should be forbiden in gyms. nothing can compare to natural movements, that our body is "designed" to do, it's the best way to develop strenght, and mass in a healthy natural way.

I agree... machines in the gym are inferior to natural movements.  It's a shame that people value them so highly.

[Phanatic]

I believe that machine use could possibly lead to a negative fitness impact. What good is a caveman if his calf muscles are huge, but will tear if he attempts to sprint?

[BigKhanz]

the smith machine has it's uses. I love using it for plyo-bench (when I want to do some heavier ballistic pushes then I could get from a push-up)and while I wouldn't uses it for squats, there are some great powerlifting moves to help increase your bench or punching power that work VERY well.

But relying on the machines instead of using them to supplement your training is a classic newbie problem.

[Matt Emery]

the smith machine has it's uses. I love using it for plyo-bench (when I want to do some heavier ballistic pushes then I could get from a push-up)and while I wouldn't uses it for squats, there are some great powerlifting moves to help increase your bench or punching power that work VERY well.

But relying on the machines instead of using them to supplement your training is a classic newbie problem.

Very true.  We use it occasionally for clap pushups, that is, with your feet on a fitball, and your hands on the bar.  It's pretty scary, and unstable as hell

[BigKhanz]

I load up 335lbs, set the stops just above me chest(so I dont die if I miss) and push/throw the bar as high as I can. Nothing like watching that bar crash down to motivate hand speed.

[Joe]

Crap, now i have to change my whole routine.

[bodhi9]

Cool post. I see people all the time using to much weight as opposed to doing the lift correctly.
Nice read.

[BigKhanz]

I see people all the time using to much weight as opposed to doing the lift correctly.

I laugh sometimes, because I see guys doing that an known that cheating on the lift is the closest they ever get to full body workouts!!!