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Free Weights or Machine Weights?
Deciding what type of weights to use can sometimes be very confusing,
especially for those of us that are new to the concept of resistance
training. Should I use levers, cables, barbells or even dumbbells to
train a given muscle? Is it better for me to perform single arm /
leg exercises or to train both simultaneously? This month in
Gyms.co.nz
Fit Tips we investigate the benefits and drawbacks of
utilising machine weights vs. free weights as part of our exercise
programme.
Machine Weights
Machine weights are great for beginners because
they are safe and easy to use. They are designed to guide your body
through a certain range of motion and often restrict movement outside of
this desired motion range to avoid injury and ensure correct technique. The are particularly beneficial for those
new to exercise as you do not have to worry about balancing weights, a
simple change of the pin position is often all that is required to
increase the weight lifted. Additionally, there is very limited
coordination required as you generally will work each muscle group in
isolation. A workout designed around machine weights will often be
more time efficient as you can quickly move from one machine to the next
without carrying weights back and forth.
However, it is not all roses when it comes to machine weights. Yes
they do not require as much coordination, but in turn this means they are
less effective in building muscle balance and coordination within your
body. Also, machines are obviously not portable, they cannot be
moved around easily, and during peak workout times it can sometimes become
difficult to gain access to your desired equipment at your gym.
Free Weights
Free weights on the other hand are very versatile. One set of
dumbbells can be used for many exercises, and they tend to build a better
muscle balance and muscular coordination within your body. Your muscles can
be trained in a way that matches real life. Free weights allow you
to strengthen stabiliser and synergist muscles and tendons that would
perhaps not be utilised during an isolation exercise on a machine.
The difficulty with free weights is that due to the balance and
coordination required generally workouts are more suited to advanced gym
goers. Additionally, the increased complexity and freedom of
movement means injuries occur more easily using free weights. Furthermore, if
you are pushed for time then you may want to bypass the free weights as a
workout will generally take longer than when using machines.
The conclusion. For beginners, free weights are a great way to get
used to movement patterns required in resistance training. However,
as you become more confident with your training then why not try to
incorporate a combination of dumbbell and barbell exercises into your
routine to replace some of the machines. Not only will you get a
great workout of the muscle that you are training, but the surrounding and
assisting muscles will also get a supplementary workout at the same time.
If you are happy sticking with machine weights, then look to modify your
exercises slightly so that you perform single leg / arm movements from
time to time to add variety and to ensure you are not creating muscle
imbalances.
Safe Lifting Precautions
Whether you are lifting
free weights or using a machine there are a number of precautions that you
should take before embarking on any weight training workout.
Warm up before you begin.
Take 5 to 10 minutes doing some light aerobic exercise to warm your
muscles up. By doing this your muscles will become more limber and
less susceptible to injury.
Do a warm up set for each exercise.
Choose a lighter weight than you will be using and perform 8 - 10
repetitions of each exercise you do before you exercise. Again, this
will ensure your muscles are ready for the strain of more intense weight
lifting and will reduce the incidence of injury.
Lift the weight slowly.
Too many individuals try to rush the movement when they are
training. Generally, the weight should be lifted in a slow,
controlled fashion to gain optimum benefit and reduced injury risk.
Don't hold your breath.
Holding your breath during weight training can be very
dangerous as it causes a sharp rise in your blood pressure. Remember
exhale during the exertion phase of the lift.
Use proper form.
Always use proper technique when performing your exercises, do
not swing your body or weights around. If you are unsure about the
correct technique then ask an instructor.
Cool down.
Just as important as warming up is cooling down post workout.
Again, 5 - 10 minutes of light aerobic exercise will assist in returning
blood pressure to normal, reducing breathing rates and removing waste
products from muscles.
Sleep Your Way Thin?
Sleep... often a luxury that we have to or can do without. "Honey,
set the alarm"... so we can get up and tend to the daily chores, or hit
the day running. However, some new evidence suggests that we may now
need to be planning our sleep patterns as we plan our exercise training.
A
recent study has actually stated that additional sleep may actually help
you lose weight. The study into the sleep patterns of 500
volunteers, over a 13 year period, revealed that significant increases in
weight were displayed as sleeping time decreased. Women gained on
average 5 pounds when their sleep fell from 7.7 - 7.3 hrs, and men also
gained on average 5 pounds when sleep activity dropped from 7.1 to 6.9
hours.
The scientist concluded that Leptin, one of the chemicals created during
your sleep, aids the suppression of fat cell production by curbing your
appetite, and that a lack of sleep may affect the hormones that burn off
calories during the day.
The
consideration for Joe public? Perhaps we should be planning an extra
couple of hours of sleep into our exercise programme each week to maximise
the potential for the weight loss that we are seeking?
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