Weight Trainning Machines?

[Kyon`]

I've been getting back to a regular work out schedule, well trying to. I've been able to sustain it for most part, alternating between cardio and weight stuff. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any good machines or should I just look into dumbells? Thank You.

Also I might end up still going to the gym, just some days when I don't feel like going out or seeing people for the most part.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

[Mr. Pickles]

There are a bunch of excellent programs out there that don't require much in the way of freeweights/machines. A basic set of free weights, like the above post, should get you through your workouts. Check out Mark Verstegen's book, Core Performance!

[peterbright]

Go with the bells

[Tsal]

Dumbbells, and a proper gym bench where you can adjust the angle.



I'd probably get 3 sets of the cheapo adjustable DB's w/ spring clamps, so that you don't have to swap the discs between every exercise. A cheap barbell bar would help in a couple of exercises, too.

If you want to invest more and have some space, you could invest into a proper barbell set and a power rack. Dumbbell route is definitely a lot cheaper, though, and with the kind of cash you would invest into a barbell and a rack, you'd be better off with a gym membership anyways.

[vene-nemesis]

+1 on the proper bench, find one that has both seat and backrest with adjustable angle.

I dont think that invertising in anything else than dumbells and weights at home is a good thing, mostly because when youre training in a gym you have one or two pluses, first there is more ppl around you and in case of lession or exaustion someone can help you to get the weights away from you, second there are monitors who can teach you/look after you in case your doing things wrong.

And 1 advise i give myself after starting training and everyone i talk about weight lifting be very very careful with your articulations, they are the weakest spots and the hardest to recover if they ever recover.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I think if you have the space and some experience, then it is good having a good setup at home.

+1 to Tsal's recommendation of a power rack and adjustable bench. You can always get yourself a mirror too.

An important thing to remember, especially when starting off, is that technique is more important than getting as much weight as possible on the bar. Start off light, get the technique down, then slowly increase the weight, keeping the technique proper!

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Another idea, if you want to try something a little different, look into kettlebells

[HollowBassman]

The only machine I have ever found useful is a lat machine(pictured below). Other than that, I stick to freeweights and a bench.

[v-12]

another vote for the free weight set. i have a modest home setup, and do nearly all my workouts there; i just prefer it that way. the only things i would wholly recommend are a squat cage, a barbell set, a bench (non-adjustable), and if you have the room a dip/pull-up station.
the main reason i prefer a non-adjustable bench is stability. most benches where you can adjust the angle are *to me* unstable and make me leery when doing heavy presses. that said i've never had one break on me, but i just don't trust them. if you are doing pushups/bench/dips combined with overhead presses, you are getting more than enough "total" chest development, there really is no need to do incline/decline- and for that matter because of the limited arm movement decline is pretty useless anyway......

[Broseph]

I've always been told that free weights or body weight are the best tools for progression. I'm deployed right now and the gym I've been frequenting only has a lat and row machine so it's dumbells all the way. Superset everything with abs since you can potentially do abs every day and that'll keep your pump/heart rate/focus up the entire workout. And don't forget to breathe!

[CanadaMan]

Weight MACHINES? NO NO NO NO NO!

Absolutely not. Spend your money on a 300 lbs. Olympic weight set from Dicks or Scheels (On sale at 150, or look on Craigslist), a power rack and a good FID Bench. (Folding, Incline, Decline.). I recommend Powertec as a cheap, quality power rack. Every essential exercise you'll ever do can be done from this setup, and it's more than enough weight for someone just starting out. Buy a pair of plate loaded dumbbell handles and you're off to the races.

Technique is definitely more important than weight at a beginner level, and free weights will use more muscles per exercise than machine to stabilize the weight. Find a good program and WATCH WHAT GOES INTO YOUR BODY!

Oh, and if you're into strongman/powerlifting like me, SQUATS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU CAN DO! Even if you're not, don't ignore them cause they hurt. If anything, you can get the pussy pad like Mohawk (Just kiddin' bud XD).

This isn't mine, BTW, but this is the same setup idea with nicer background scenery.


Another edit: Whoo Kettlebells! You don't NEED anything to get a full workout. Look outside convention, look at Strongman competition - Pushing trucks/Pulling them (You need a harness to pull). Lifting beer kegs, barrels, etc. Farmers walks, log press, all things that can be made out of things around the house and offer a mighty fine workout.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

None taken

Was bought on a whim at a sports shops closing down sale for next to nothing. Got used once or twice before I stopped using it, just couldnt get the bar to sit in the right place with the thing. Just one of these things that I thought, why not try, but, like gloves, it sits gathering dust

Also, on the note of Strongman comp's etc. I met Mark Felix last Saturday, damned nice bloke, and unbelievably massive!

[CanadaMan]

I actually use wraps on my knees (damage from football) and elbows and sometimes gloves, depending on whether or not I have chalk with me. I'd try it maybe on heavier squats, but if it doesn't sit right, it's not worth the money.

I'm about Mark's height, maybe an inch taller in competition dress (shoes, etc.) although he's got considerable mass on me, probably a bit less than 100 pounds o.o but I'm working towards it. Slowly but surely, as it goes. On an unrelated-related note, I was staying at the same hotel that the Mr. Olympia was being held at in 2005, much by chance. Met Ronnie Coleman amongst others, huge width wise but they're all quite short. Not really my scene but definitely the best at what they do.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Mark is the same height as me (6ft 4), so height wise we were the same, but like you say, the mass difference was incredible!

I only use chalk for grip these days, only other "cheat" I sometimes use is wraps for heavier set deadlifts when im trying to specifically target my back as opposed to being limited by grip.

On saying that, not done much at all with the weights as of late, has been all bodyweight excersises til I get to my new flat and join the uni gym!

Just looked up on the net there, didnt realise that Ronnie was under 6ft!

[ric1312]

Originally Posted by Kyon`

I've been getting back to a regular work out schedule, well trying to. I've been able to sustain it for most part, alternating between cardio and weight stuff. I'm wondering if anyone knows of any good machines or should I just look into dumbells? Thank You.

Also I might end up still going to the gym, just some days when I don't feel like going out or seeing people for the most part.

www.bodylastics.com

Work out bands. Only costs about sixty bucks for the set and works as good as free weights, actualy better for many exercises. Feels like a bowflex. Fits into a small bag when done and doesn't take up space.

Only thing I don't like them for is legs. Can't really squat with them, just pulls to much on the bag. Best way I found to work legs with them was to lay on my back and wrap the bands around one foot and then leg press.

[CanadaMan]

Just get free weights. No offense, but bands? Come on man. And the Bowflex? Blows.

Edit: And leg press is NO substitute for squats. I can't squat 1500+ pounds like I can on the leg press. You're missing all the core stabilizer muscle work by using leg press and bands. No offense, I'm just saying why it wouldn't work for me instead of just talking chit without backing it up.

[CanadaMan]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Mark is the same height as me (6ft 4), so height wise we were the same, but like you say, the mass difference was incredible!

I only use chalk for grip these days, only other "cheat" I sometimes use is wraps for heavier set deadlifts when im trying to specifically target my back as opposed to being limited by grip.

On saying that, not done much at all with the weights as of late, has been all bodyweight excersises til I get to my new flat and join the uni gym!

Just looked up on the net there, didnt realise that Ronnie was under 6ft!

Yeah, I'm still growing, surprisingly enough. I don't know when I'll stop. Hopefully around Terry Holland's/Magnus Samuelson's height, and not more. The big-big men can put more functional-mass on their frame, and it's impressive what some can do.

Chalk is good, but right now I don't have any so it's gloves for me. Better than straps though, hah.

Mmm, deadlift, my favourite exercise.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Terry Hollands should have been at the event I was at where Mark Felix was, but didnt show up

Straps were very rarely used

And meh, was never a huge fan of the DL, it's ok . . . but Squats is where its at

[Jereth]

Yup, most pro-Bodybuilders seem to be fairly short...

That Bosylastics stuff is bull****. My friend got some and I only asked him about them the other day, he HATES them. Said they did next to nothing for him...

To the OP-
You said you're getting back into a workout program, when did you last lift, if you even did weights at all before..? And what are you're goals? 6-Pack? Mass, just getting stronger...?