Discussion
Not that I have the space, but who has a weights machine at home, which lets you work on pretty much every muscle group, is well built, and gives you nearly everything you'd find at a normal Gym. Obviously there are good ones and naff ones, are any brands recognized as being particularly durable and worth the money?
UKbob said:
Not quite in answer to your question, but free weights are apparently better for training your muscles.
For certain reps I agree, but if you buy a machine which does 10 different things, you should end up relatively well excercised in all areas though, right?
Nope!! If you know what you are doing free weights are far superior to machines and just as flexible in terms of muscle groups worked. I say "if you know what you are doing" because, done properly, free weights also make you ensure that you stabilise your body and do exercises the right way rather than machines where people tend to be lazy and do things in-effectively.
garyhun said:
shadowninja said:
Not quite in answer to your question, but free weights are apparently better for training your muscles.
For certain reps I agree, but if you buy a machine which does 10 different things, you should end up relatively well excercised in all areas though, right?
Nope!! If you know what you are doing free weights are far superior to machines and just as flexible in terms of muscle groups worked. I say "if you know what you are doing" because, done properly, free weights also make you ensure that you stabilise your body and do exercises the right way rather than machines where people tend to be lazy and do things in-effectively.
The problem with free weights is that if you are really pushing yourself, you need a spotter! The home gym's rarely have enough weight in order that you can push yourself. Hit the gym!
What I should have said was free weights are undoubtedly the best, but as far as home gyms go but... 
I used to train at a gym with machines, had a 6-pack, plenty of muscle, excellent figure, never really went down into the basement part of the gym where the freeweights were, it was mainly occupied incredible hulk type characters which made far too many animal noises for my liking
Besides, the ladies were all upstairs using the machines with me 
I used to train at a gym with machines, had a 6-pack, plenty of muscle, excellent figure, never really went down into the basement part of the gym where the freeweights were, it was mainly occupied incredible hulk type characters which made far too many animal noises for my liking
Besides, the ladies were all upstairs using the machines with me 
Get a bench and some free weights...
They're about the only piece of apparatus I can think of that allow you to work pretty much EVERY single muscle group. You can even turn your legs in to tree trunks with big
off bar squats (the most painful thing I have ever done to myself, I might add)!
Machines really aren't much cop - I've recently moved on to training with free weights and I can tell by the amount of (good) pain I'm currently experiencing that they are so much more effective than anything else. A large part of this seems to come from the fact that you have to stabilise yourself as opposed to letting a machine do it for you. The first time you have a go at something like inclined dumbell presses you'll be rolling all over the place!
It is true about keeping good form when pushing on though - If you can't get a spotter you at least need a well positioned mirror or two. If you're by yourself use relatively easy weights and just concentrate on getting good form - you'll still find it hurts at first! Once form is established it should be easier to move on.
God, I really do love it.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Thursday 18th August 16:57
They're about the only piece of apparatus I can think of that allow you to work pretty much EVERY single muscle group. You can even turn your legs in to tree trunks with big
off bar squats (the most painful thing I have ever done to myself, I might add)! Machines really aren't much cop - I've recently moved on to training with free weights and I can tell by the amount of (good) pain I'm currently experiencing that they are so much more effective than anything else. A large part of this seems to come from the fact that you have to stabilise yourself as opposed to letting a machine do it for you. The first time you have a go at something like inclined dumbell presses you'll be rolling all over the place!
It is true about keeping good form when pushing on though - If you can't get a spotter you at least need a well positioned mirror or two. If you're by yourself use relatively easy weights and just concentrate on getting good form - you'll still find it hurts at first! Once form is established it should be easier to move on.
God, I really do love it.
>> Edited by DanBoy on Thursday 18th August 16:57
mkgriff said:
The lipstick lycra brigade! Whay do they bother to go to the gym, fully made up and lifting one plate on each machine, then walk for 10 mins on a treadmill?
I guess thay could be employed to encourage the rest of us
I saw a bird at the gym the other day, wearing the skimpiest PVC/lycra/whatever outfit I've ever seen... Wouldn't have minded but she wasn't even nice to look at - No curves or shape at all. Although I do feel slightly sorry for the really fat people that had to look at her as she was a complete twig...
Why the hell would you wear that to the gym? Joggers and T-Shirt is all you need! You get enough freedom of movement, with the added bonus of not looking like a prat!
My mum recently went to the gym with a friend of hers and her friend's daughter (my age). Apparently all the daughter did was sit on the leg press working out on the first weight, with her walkman on, texting her mates!
>> Edited by DanBoy on Thursday 18th August 16:52
I don't know the real names of anyone at our gym, but they do all have names. There is monkey man (hairy chap, does a lot of lat pulls), Kevin the pervert (just watches the women), butch girl, inappropriate lycra lady, skinny weak man, sweaty monkey man (as monkey man but sweats buckets), the big nose twins, skirt man (has a skirt of spare flesh from losing so much weight), and my personal favourites Sex Face lady and false titty lady.
I wonder what they call me?
I wonder what they call me?
UKbob said:
What I should have said was free weights are undoubtedly the best, but as far as home gyms go but...
I used to train at a gym with machines, had a 6-pack, plenty of muscle, excellent figure, never really went down into the basement part of the gym where the freeweights were, it was mainly occupied incredible hulk type characters which made far too many animal noises for my liking
suddenly i feel the urge to sell my home equipment and sign up to the local gym
UKbob said:
Not that I have the space, but who has a weights machine at home, which lets you work on pretty much every muscle group, is well built, and gives you nearly everything you'd find at a normal Gym. Obviously there are good ones and naff ones, are any brands recognized as being particularly durable and worth the money?
had one, got bored, sold it, there is no motivation at home I'd rather go to the gym, there's more to look at
UKbob said:
What I should have said was free weights are undoubtedly the best, but as far as home gyms go but...
I used to train at a gym with machines, had a 6-pack, plenty of muscle, excellent figure, never really went down into the basement part of the gym where the freeweights were, it was mainly occupied incredible hulk type characters which made far too many animal noises for my liking
Not been thrown out for leering and flexing your love muscle have you?
Shadow, Rooster, Sparky... Some might argue that you dont need the gym when sites like this one exist
Having never visited that site, I coudnt comment but felt I had to illustrate the point to make you aware that... erm a good camel toe is hard to come by?
Speaking of which, I need to get back in shape
Having never visited that site, I coudnt comment but felt I had to illustrate the point to make you aware that... erm a good camel toe is hard to come by? Speaking of which, I need to get back in shape
UKbob said:
Speaking of which, I need to get back in shape
Join a proper gym.
You will get the right advice from personal trainers, and help you achieve whatever it is that you want your body to look like
It does not matter whether you buy your own gym gear or join a gym, you have to keep motivated, and if you are paying £50/month for a good gym, then that is motivation enough to attend, as you are paying by direct debit anyway, so otherwise is money down the toilet.
>> Edited by ledfoot on Friday 19th August 00:02
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