Lifting - Can I get a good physique using weight machines

billthane · 2015-01-30T00:51:18+00:00

It's better than nothing, but it'd be less efficient than free-weights. If you can afford the gym, and it's not too far away, do that.

trpadawan · 2015-01-30T03:22:24+00:00

Free weights (like squats, deadlift, bench press) are better than machines for building muscle, especially when you're first starting out.

papirojo · 2015-01-30T00:25:33+00:00

If you want to pack on real mass and strength go to the gym and stick with barbells and dumbbells.

RedderThanAll · 2015-01-30T06:49:17+00:00

The key thing about bodybuilding is actually lifting. You won't get anywhere if you don't lift. A lot of people make the mistake of becoming armchair bodybuilders, planning will often get you nowhere.

Silenuslaughed · 2015-01-30T08:08:53+00:00

Why are you debating this? Just to save ~$30 - ~$60 a month?
Ask yourself:
1) What are your fitness goals? (Sidebar: what kind of machine is available? Some machines are relatively worthless, others approach free weights in terms of optimal Gainz potential for beginning lifters. Though, on second thought, if it's between machines and nothing I would start with the machine and see how your body responds: just do something)

2)What are your priorities? Are you ok with "less than optimal" Gainz?

3) Will spending the extra money on a gym membership present an unacceptable opportunity cost? (E.g., between my wife and I I spend $60/mo on membership fees, which is $750/yr after a once a year "maintenance fee". That $750 could be put towards a number of other cool things, but I enjoy the gym for the social aspect, superior equipment to my own, and the sauna. Saunas are badass)

gui524 · 2015-01-30T03:58:28+00:00

It's not optimal, but as long as you apply progressive overload to the exercises there will be some results. If you have a chance to go to a gym, do it.

asd1100 · 2015-01-30T08:14:14+00:00

It depends how versatile the machine is.

You build volume by creating a high stress enviroment for the specific muscle and by having a good nutrition.

Just force progresion and you'll be okay.

Why include cardio? You only force catabolism and increase metabolism stress. For mass gain that is a really big no,no. For weight loss, it could be a maybe but in would work more on diet, because the 3 day split will keep your metabolism activated anyway all trough out the week.

My opinion is to start out with strength training with freewights and a good diet. You can go from there.(adding high rep isolation routines at the end of your main workout for that extra volume)

On the issue of gym vs home, the important thing is to do it. I started out at home, because of my personality and time constraints. I find it more comfortable and easy. I have a friend that is a lazy fucktard at home but very disciplined and hard working once he gets out of his house.

PublicallyViewable · 2015-01-30T06:59:45+00:00

Yes, you'll be fine.

Title	Lifting - Can I get a good physique using weight machines
Author	unpluggedoasis
Upvotes	1
Comments	8
Date	January 30, 2015 12:18 AM UTC (11 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/askTRP
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/asktrp/comments/2u54bg/lifting_can_i_get_a_good_physique_using_weight/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/askTRP/lifting-can-i-get-a-good-physique-using-weight.145737 https://theredarchive.com/post/145737

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