There are many debates out there about whether free weight training than training with a machine? The answer all depends on your need and preference. Free weight training is considered cheaper and more convenient than machine weights because they are smaller and does not take up too much space, so you can set-up a home gym with a few weights, barbells and a bench. This way you can exercise any time you want at home. Machine weight training most often we have to join membership at a gym, this could be a problem for people who are on a budget plus we have to commute to go to the gym. But using machine weight really helps you with your posture and stability in your movements. I was checking out this Youtube video by Picturefit and they list all the benefits using free weights or machine weights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUeQUyCWUPg

Free weights

• Are great for balance, coordination, and athleticism because a lot of the movements are full range movements.
• Make you follow a natural bar path, meaning you can move the weight in pattern that comes natural to you, making it great to replicate functional, real, life movement.
• Great for performing a wide variety of exercises, whether you want to do Olympic lifts such as the snatch, or a big compound exercises like deadlifts.

Machine Weights

• Gives you stability on your postures.
• Machine weights helps you do movements that free weights can’t do such as leg extension or leg curls.
• Fixed movement patterns means you can isolate muscle groups much better.

Free weights and machine weights are great are great options if you are looking to start your fit journey. For me, I prefer free weights because it helps me for balance and coordination and it is more challenging and I like a good challenge 🙂 But, for beginners or older adults, machine weights are probably best option to start. How about you? Do you prefer free weights or machine weights?