Can I do without resistance machines?

corblimey

I've been going to the gym for a few months now and will be getting a programme made up for me next week. However, I'd quite like to avoid the various resistance machines they have, and concentrate on cardio and free weights. I'll be suggesting it to the person who puts together the programme, but don't want to look like a gowl if it's just not possible to avoid the machines AND have a good allover workout. I'm sure some of them are recreatable (the arms ones for ex) using free weights but I don't know enough about most of the machines and what they do to even know if its possible.

(PS, no I have no good reason to avoid them, just that I used to be in a gym a few years back and seriously hated every moment I spent on them - could have been my form, too much weight, whatever, so maybe I can change my mindset, but right now if I can avoid them, I will)

Thud

you can probably avoid them most of them are trying to mimic a freeweight exercise action and can often be less effective (if you can't find a setting/height adjustment to suit you or the motion it puts you through isn't ideal)

It would depend on which machines you want to cut out but if you look at which muscles they say they are exercising you should be able to find a non machine exercise on here to replace it:
http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html

cmyk

corblimey wrote: »

But don't want to look like a gowl if it's just not possible to avoid the machines AND have a good allover workout. I'm sure some of them are recreatable (the arms ones for ex) using free weights but I don't know enough about most of the machines and what they do to even know if its possible.

I can't really think of a machine that does a better overall job than a free weight exercise, save for maybe a GHR, reverse hyper or cables or under certain circumstances.

Make sure your technique is up to par when starting out with free weights is all I'd recommend. What are your goals, are you male or female? Do you have much experience with resistance training at all?

corblimey

cmyk wrote: »

Make sure your technique is up to par when starting out with free weights is all I'd recommend. What are your goals, are you male or female? Do you have much experience with resistance training at all?

Male, but no major goals, the same as everybody else, lose the belly, become toned, tanned and handsome . My only experience was the gym a few years back when they gave me a programme that was 90% resistance, and I stopped after a week or so. I used to do only free weights years ago in Dublin and never needed the resistance machines - in fact thinking back I'm not sure my gym even had any! Which is why I thought I should be able to do without.

cmyk

corblimey wrote: »

Male, but no major goals, the same as everybody else, lose the belly, become toned, tanned and handsome . My only experience was the gym a few years back when they gave me a programme that was 90% resistance, and I stopped after a week or so. I used to do only free weights years ago in Dublin and never needed the resistance machines - in fact thinking back I'm not sure my gym even had any! Which is why I thought I should be able to do without.

Well losing the belly will be achieved mainly through diet, machines vs free weights won't be the difference there. As I said before if you're going the free weight route make sure you're technique is up to scratch.

Regardless of which route you go...push yourself hard and consistently to the programme and get your diet in check (see the stickies for more info on that). That ought to take care of the lose the belly/become toned bit...you might need to visit a different forum for the tanned and handsome part.

Thud

cmyk wrote: »

...you might need to visit a different forum for the tanned and handsome part.

i've read that if you increase your squat you'll become more tanned and handsome

cmyk

Thud wrote: »

i've read that if you increase your squat you'll become more tanned and handsome

That's a myth I can officially de-bunk!

Mellor

cmyk wrote: »

I can't really think of a machine that does a better overall job than a free weight exercise, save for maybe a GHR, reverse hyper or cables or under certain circumstances.

I consider the GHR a bench, and I separate cables from traditional machines as they lack the fixed ROM issue.

Never used a Reverse hyper, but I guess that's the exception the breaks the rule.

Theresalwaysone

If you can get your Squat to a 1.25BW-1.5BW region ladies literally leave slug trails for you.

TRUST me. Its science.

gymsoldier

Thud wrote: »

i've read that if you increase your squat you'll become more tanned and handsome

No no, only your grip strength will increase.

Burkatron

Thud wrote: »

i've read that if you increase your squat you'll become more tanned and handsome

I've turned hot, sweaty & shade of red from squatting before, will this work for you OP :PAC: