Free Weight Machines Vs Machines Essay
English 1020
The Great Debate: Weight Machines vs. Free Weights The debate between free weights and weight machines has been around as long as the machines themselves. From body builders to stay-at-home moms trying to stay in shape, the great debate has been fueled by the fact that there is no ‘one size fits all’ method. Individuals are encouraged to find the method that works for them. There are many angles from which this argument may be examined such as cost, safety, effective muscle workout, and medical effects of continuous use. People should use free weights instead of weight machines because they are less expensive, versatile and work more muscle groups simultaneously than weight machines.
In today’s economy, …show more content…
The safety hazards of free weights can be easily avoided with some training. Weight machines are safer than heavy free weights for beginners and new comers to weight lifting. According to Jeff Bayer, a fitness specialist for Ask Men; “…are important for beginners because they are so often uncertain about the appropriate range of motion and risk of over-extending or under-extending with free weights. Injuries are much more likely to occur when we go out of our body’s preferred range of motion, and weight machines help to ensure that doesn’t happen” (“Free Weights vs. Machines”). This means that machines are safer for beginners because of the range of motion involved. Machines help limit the range of motion to prevent over extension of muscles. They maintain a pattern that enforces good form which is nearly impossible to deviate from. This makes them safer for beginners. However, where weight machines reduce risk of injury due to poor form or over extension, they have a higher risk of causing injuries due to repetitive movement for weeks at a time. When using the machine, the same muscles, tendons, and ligaments are used to perform exercises, which may lead to overuse injuries. Free weights may leave more risk of over or under-extension, but it is not difficult to learn and maintain good form. Both free weights and weight machines have safety hazards; however, if safety precautions are taken, free weights
The Great Debate: Weight Machines vs. Free Weights The debate between free weights and weight machines has been around as long as the machines themselves. From body builders to stay-at-home moms trying to stay in shape, the great debate has been fueled by the fact that there is no ‘one size fits all’ method. Individuals are encouraged to find the method that works for them. There are many angles from which this argument may be examined such as cost, safety, effective muscle workout, and medical effects of continuous use. People should use free weights instead of weight machines because they are less expensive, versatile and work more muscle groups simultaneously than weight machines.
In today’s economy, …show more content…
The safety hazards of free weights can be easily avoided with some training. Weight machines are safer than heavy free weights for beginners and new comers to weight lifting. According to Jeff Bayer, a fitness specialist for Ask Men; “…are important for beginners because they are so often uncertain about the appropriate range of motion and risk of over-extending or under-extending with free weights. Injuries are much more likely to occur when we go out of our body’s preferred range of motion, and weight machines help to ensure that doesn’t happen” (“Free Weights vs. Machines”). This means that machines are safer for beginners because of the range of motion involved. Machines help limit the range of motion to prevent over extension of muscles. They maintain a pattern that enforces good form which is nearly impossible to deviate from. This makes them safer for beginners. However, where weight machines reduce risk of injury due to poor form or over extension, they have a higher risk of causing injuries due to repetitive movement for weeks at a time. When using the machine, the same muscles, tendons, and ligaments are used to perform exercises, which may lead to overuse injuries. Free weights may leave more risk of over or under-extension, but it is not difficult to learn and maintain good form. Both free weights and weight machines have safety hazards; however, if safety precautions are taken, free weights