10 Machines You Shouldn't Use

[The Bat]

http://health.msn.com/fitness/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100184337&GT1=10815

I normally don't trust MSN for any of my news or articles simply because MSN either reports news that is incomplete/too late or because they post articles like the one above.

Just because your consult is someone who wrote a book and has MD after their name does not make them an expert. Don't get me started on the second consult they used: trainer and an author.

I think the author of the article missed the whole point of using weight machines: perfect form negates any and all possibilities of injuries associated with using machines. Sadly, majority of the audience reading this article does not care about form when it comes to weight lifting. I suspect that most of them just go to the gym for an hour for the sake of going to the gym for an hour.

What do you folks think of the article?

 

[HandyAndy]

I use free weights anyway.

 

[Nip/Tuck]

How about only p*ssies and ppl who don't know wtf they're doing use machines? The only "machine" that is acceptable is bench, squat rack and a sit up bench. Free weights are SOOOOO MUCH BETTER... you can't work you stabilizer muscles using the machines.

 

[mrRuckus]

The article is pretty much right on. The leg extention, for example. That always annoyed my left knee but my knee gives me no problems on ANY other lift.

There's nothing wrong with some machines though. They just shouldn't be a huge part of it. Machines are actually getting better... like some of the hammer machines.

Stop the black and white thinking.

 

[shaunuk]

some machines are decent, i.e. lat pulldowns, calf raises, some Hammer Strength machines, but you're usually better off using free weights if your goals are size and/or strength. But some of that article is bull****

 

[Quagmire911]

"A better exercise: Body-weight squats. Focus on descending with control as far as you can without rounding your lower back. Aim for 15 to 20 for a set and increase sets as you develop strength."

Increase sets of 15-20? What kind of demon wrote this article!!!

Couple of fair points, however the above is plainly absurd.

Unless you are using the bar of course and enjoy being a twig.

EDIT-Whoa, my mind actually missed the body-weight part. Wonder what planet this person came from. Gravity must be 2-3x that of Earth. BW squats for the win!!!