| Want to know the Million Dollar question I get asked | | | | it'd probably be Hammer Strength machines. Hammer |
| probably more than any other? | | | | Strength is a company that recognizes that humans |
| Which is better for building muscle: Machines or Free | | | | do not lift weights in a perfectly straight line. The |
| Weights? | | | | range of motion of Hammer Strength equipment |
| Well, first of all, overloading the muscle with heavy | | | | generally follows the natural arc of our own force |
| weight -- whatever the type of equipment you use | | | | curve. |
| -- is what promotes muscle growth. Any exercise | | | | And the thing is, you can probably lift more weight |
| that limits overload is not a good choice. | | | | on Hammer Strength equipment than a free weight |
| However, in most cases, it's much more effective, | | | | barbell. And it makes sense why. The machines help |
| and more efficient, to overload the muscle with | | | | you out by balancing and stabilizing the majority of |
| dumbbells and barbells. | | | | the weight for you. This makes it easier to lift more |
| Most machines are very inefficient and not nearly as | | | | weight. But it's not an advantage. Muscle fiber |
| effective at muscle stimulation as free weight | | | | recruitment will always be less than if a free weight |
| compound exercises. That's because they limit the | | | | were used. |
| amount of overload you can achieve. Less overload... | | | | Even though the absolute poundage is greater on a |
| less muscle fiber recruitment and less muscle growth | | | | machine, the actual overload on the muscle is greater |
| as a result. | | | | with free weights because you're responsible for |
| Sticking with basic free weight exercises enables you | | | | balancing and stabilizing all the weight yourself. This, |
| to handle maximum overload and use natural | | | | along with an increased range of motion, is why free |
| biomechanics as you perform the movements. | | | | weights are better for more muscle fiber recruitment |
| Machines restrict your natural movements, again, | | | | and maximum stimulation. |
| making them less effective for building muscle. | | | | Bottom line, good old-fashioned free weights are the |
| Now, if I had to use a machine for resistance training, | | | | number one selection for building muscle! |