Which Is Better For Building Muscle: Machines Or Free Weights?

Want to know the Million Dollar question I get askedit'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 Freedo 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 heavygenerally follows the natural arc of our own force
weight -- whatever the type of equipment you usecurve.
-- is what promotes muscle growth. Any exerciseAnd 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 withyou 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 asweight. But it's not an advantage. Muscle fiber
effective at muscle stimulation as free weightrecruitment will always be less than if a free weight
compound exercises. That's because they limit thewere 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 growthmachine, 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 youbalancing and stabilizing all the weight yourself. This,
to handle maximum overload and use naturalalong 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!