Choose the Right Equipment for Your Fitness Goals

Working out can be intimidating for the novice lifter, and figuring out which equipment is best to use can be overwhelming. Machines and free weights each have their own advantages, and deciding which one is right for you depends upon your goals, exercise experience and fitness level.

For strength training beginners, machines are a great option as they provide guidance in form, promote proper execution of exercises and have adjustable weight stacks that let you add resistance without having to worry about the awkwardness of learning how to load plates onto a barbell or dumbbell. In addition, they target specific muscles while minimizing strain on the joints, making them an ideal choice if you’re just getting into bodybuilding or weight lifting.

On the other hand, using free weights like barbells and dumbbells will help you build greater stability throughout your body since free weights require more balance and coordination from your supporting muscles in order to execute proper form. Because of this, many experienced lifters prefer free weights when performing cardio or strength training as it allows for more range of motion than machines do. Plus, free weights offer a greater variety of exercises than machines do; it’s easier to customize an exercise routine with all types of barbells, dumbells, kettle bells and medicine balls available in gyms today.

To summarize, machines are excellent for strengthening individual muscles with precise movements while free weights provide balanced strength with multiple muscle involvement needed for stabilizing movements. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference - there is no wrong way to go when engaging in fitness activities as long as proper form is used whenever possible!

-Ravonn Gregory