so I'm here... and I need help !!

Better than what? watching tv? machines?

Yes on both counts.

nothing is better then watching tv !! lol, I just moved my 46" into the bedroom and got a 61" for the living room !!!

but yes, I meant better then machines. It seems that even with lower weights (cause I'm still trying to get the hang of balance and form) I am more sore, and worked then the machines ! I just am not too keen on doing free weights alone thats why It's super cool and groovy to have my buddy and I figure out a workout sched that works for both of us !

As long as you know what youre doing I think free weights are best as you're having to balance the weight while lifting it engaging more muscles. The machines aren't bad.. I use them about half the time... however free weights are definitely more effective. Machines are better for beginners who don't know proper form as they really force you to use proper form (for the most part).

As far as nothing being better than tv... In my opinion sleeping is much more fun than tv. I'm a big fan of sleep. Wish i was doing that right now instead of sitting here at work.

I wish I could sleep, I'm not a good sleeper at all. if I get 5 hours a night it's a win in my book

I wish I could sleep, I'm not a good sleeper at all. if I get 5 hours a night it's a win in my book

I go through phases... I'll go months and months where i can't get more than 5 hours, then snap out of it and be fine for a while, then go back into insomnia mode. I think thats why I like sleep so much. I have a HUGE appreciation for it as I never know when i'm going to be able to sleep and when i'm not. Have you tried things like melatonin and valarian root?

Free weights recruit more muscles for a given exercise. Chest press machine v dumbbell chest press, for example. You will not have to do much to stabilize a fixed track machine. You will have to work much harder, use more muscles (especially the lil stabilizers) if you use free weights. I am a huge advocate of free weights. I avoid the smith for the same reason, though a smith does have its uses (:

For the record I'm like a lizard. I sleep in the sun about 20 hours a day.

a smith ??

A barbell on a fixed track. They can be used for squats, bench pressing, anything that uses a barbell. The fixed track means that you do not have hte natural flow of the exercise you usually would. Benching, for instance, has a slight S curve to it. It is not straight up and down.

I used that for my calf and deep squats yesterday, helped with motion and balance.