circuit machines vs just using weights

shaunna · Post by **shaunna** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:25 pm

What is better for getting into shape? Circuit machines or just using weights?...The circuit machines have weights but, i dont know if i should just use hand weights...

SarahPT · Post by **SarahPT** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:21 am

Free weights are the best. There is nothing wrong with using a machine or two, but the majority of your program should be comprised of free weights. Machines are usually made one size fits all (and we aren't the same size) and free weights better mimic natural movements we make every day.

Hope that helps.

sassygirl · Post by **sassygirl** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:53 am

I have to agree with Sarah. I am bt ne means a fitness expert..but I do have both a machine and free weights......the machine is used more for a towel rack than anything!

Good Luck

Christopheel · Post by **Christopheel** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:31 am

I have only a bench, barbell, dumbell, plates, Z-Bar and a carpet and I can do anything with these ...

DianaB · Post by **DianaB** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:37 am

Chris, How do you manage heavy squats? I'm running into a problem without a rack....

Christopheel · Post by **Christopheel** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:04 pm

For heavy squat there's not much we can do that's real ... in case i just put as much as I can lift from "clean up" from the grounds and squat with it ... since i'm not a pro squatter and shoulder are developent way more than lower body, I am usually able to bring enough weights to do only 6-8 reps of squats ... But when legs are gonna be as strong or stronger as upper body, there I'll have a problem ... because lifting 400 pounds from the ground to put it behind your head can be tough LOL

DianaB · Post by **DianaB** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:12 pm

I can lift more off the ground then I can clean and get on delts, that's for sure. Going to try with dumbells, to get a bit heavier. 400 lbs LOL I'm not talking about anything that heavy!

Christopheel · Post by **Christopheel** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 5:48 pm

DianaB wrote:I can lift more off the ground then I can clean and get on delts, that's for sure. Going to try with dumbells, to get a bit heavier. 400 lbs LOL I'm not talking about anything that heavy!

Ya I do dumbells squat too

For the 400 pounds, it can comes very fast ahah

DianaB · Post by **DianaB** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:00 pm

Christopheel wrote:
DianaB wrote:I can lift more off the ground then I can clean and get on delts, that's for sure. Going to try with dumbells, to get a bit heavier. 400 lbs LOL I'm not talking about anything that heavy!
Ya I do dumbells squat too

For the 400 pounds, it can comes very fast ahah

The day I do a 400 lb squat, I'll fight you in the ring. LOL

shaunna · Post by **shaunna** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:51 pm

All this time i have been doing ALL the machines ,every other day and walking 50 minutes daily....I guess i would have seen better results just using regular weights...live n learn LOL...Thanks

DianaB · Post by **DianaB** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:07 pm

Shaunna, you are not alone in that. Every gym I've gone to in the past 10 years treats me the same way: run, then do 12-15 reps on machines. It's only since I cut out the gym and started educating myself that I've made gains in strength and muscle. You are right: live and learn! and you only have to learn it right once LOL.
diana

nitecrawler · Post by **nitecrawler** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 11:48 pm

Ways to squat w/o rack would be:

1. perform Steinborn Lift first.
2. clean followed by front squat
3. Zercher squat.
4. Dumbell / goblet squat

but the best thing would be to use a rack as you can go for heavier weights. a cheap one with 2 vertical bar should also do instead of buying a power rack...

Christopheel · Post by **Christopheel** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:03 am

DianaB wrote:
Christopheel wrote:
DianaB wrote:I can lift more off the ground then I can clean and get on delts, that's for sure. Going to try with dumbells, to get a bit heavier. 400 lbs LOL I'm not talking about anything that heavy!
Ya I do dumbells squat too

For the 400 pounds, it can comes very fast ahah
The day I do a 400 lb squat, I'll fight you in the ring. LOL

HAHAA ... When you want ! Personally I'm not a good squatter, I usually put 230 lbs + a increase in wieght of around 5-2.5 pounds a week ... But 400 lbs is maybe a little bit exagerate your right haha