The Weightlifters Thread

[n_huffhines]

Machines are under-utilized by the male demographic, IMO. I mostly go free weights, but cables and machines serve a purpose. You can hit the muscle in a variety of ways.

 

[milohimself]

Machines are under-utilized by the male demographic, IMO. I mostly go free weights, but cables and machines serve a purpose. You can hit the muscle in a variety of ways.

I generally agree with chavisut's sentiment. In most, not all, but most situations, the more planes of movement possible, the better the workout. Dumbbells > barbells > cables > machines, or however you want to put it. There are some exceptions where certain workouts make little or no use of stabilizers, but machines were not originally designed for serious strength training and IMO tend to be minimized in any routine.

Now there are other reasons, for instance I have occasional issues with my IT band which makes squats very difficult and painful, in which case I will use a sled, but that's to help me recoup from an injury.

 

[govols/cc]

The easiest way for a beginner to get stronger is compound barbell movements so completely disagree with your machines comment.

Ok. I guess I was using a politically correct term for if you don't bench 135 don't &?!@ about taking a 45 off.

 

[Spartacavolus]

Machines are under-utilized by the male demographic, IMO. I mostly go free weights, but cables and machines serve a purpose. You can hit the muscle in a variety of ways.

I'm 41 and use the hell out of machines and such. Started lifting in '83 and went on a heavy lifting binge for at least 12 years. Only did low reps and heavy. My joints are shot and the free weights don't help.

 

[chavisut]

Ok. I guess I was using a politically correct term for if you don't bench 135 don't &?!@ about taking a 45 off.

I can agree with this. I always rack my weight though.

 

[n_huffhines]

I generally agree with chavisut's sentiment. In most, not all, but most situations, the more planes of movement possible, the better the workout. Dumbbells > barbells > cables > machines, or however you want to put it. There are some exceptions where certain workouts make little or no use of stabilizers, but machines were not originally designed for serious strength training and IMO tend to be minimized in any routine.

Now there are other reasons, for instance I have occasional issues with my IT band which makes squats very difficult and painful, in which case I will use a sled, but that's to help me recoup from an injury.

FWIW, Mike Mentzer was completely sold on machines. He thought they were the best for strength training. His philosophy was centered around the need to maintain perfectly strict form, move the weights in a slow and controlled manner, work the muscles to complete failure (positive and negative), and avoid over-training.

Machines are ideal for all but the last part. Especially working to failure. The guy who does bench press without a spotter is not going to complete failure.

 

[lylsmorr]

I'm to the point where I do nothing but dumbbells(aside from squats) when I do use weights.

 

[govols/cc]

I can agree with this. I always rack my weight though.

Normally I do as well. If I find with a 45 on it I generally leave it that way though.

 

[VOLatile]

I do dumbell press instead of bench, just to clarify.

 

[flowd82]

So ridiculous to me how much strength can be lost in a short period of time. Especially when considering how long it takes to build it up.

 

[kwebbvols2344]

A lot of people leave 45s on each side on the bench press & I'm cool will that. If you're benching less than 135 you should probably stick to machines. Back to pet peeves, I hate it when somebody puts 2.5s on leg press or hammer strength & leaves them.

Is it really that hard to take off the last 45 off from each side? Too many people think they own the gym. Not attacking you, just saying people in general.

 

[govols/cc]

Is it really that hard to take off the last 45 off from each side? Too many people think they own the gym. Not attacking you, just saying people in general.

I guess it's assumed in a lot of gyms that leaving the 45 on each side actually makes it easier for the next person.

 

[bamacheats]

I guess it's assumed in a lot of gyms that leaving the 45 on each side actually makes it easier for the next person.

I don't mind a 45 on each side. That's what the vast majority of men start with anyway.

What's really irritating are the OCD rerackers that rerack every plate even though you are standing there telling them to leave the 45s cause you'll use them. Idiot told me, "sorry man, just following the rules."

 

[VOLatile]

I don't mind a 45 on each side. That's what the vast majority of men start with anyway.

What's really irritating are the OCD rerackers that rerack every plate even though you are standing there telling them to leave the 45s cause you'll use them. Idiot told me, "sorry man, just following the rules."

Lol. That's ridiculous.

Back's feeling a lot better tonight. Maybe I'll be back in tomorrow night doing arms.

 

[xJesusx56]

And usually doesn't even lift the weight. Load the sled with plates only to barely unlock their knees. Not impressive.

This drives me crazy. They load it up with a ridiculous amount of weight and then have a 3 inch range of motion. And then walk off like they accomplished something impressive.

 

[milohimself]

I remember seeing a guy going to squat like 550 or 600 pounds or something crazy a year ago. He actually stood up with it, which was impressive to me because that's more than I could do, but then he did two reps with about 4 inches of motion.

 

[xJesusx56]

This older guy comes into the gym sometimes when I go early in the day, when I see him squatting or dead-lifting I clear the area. He about gassed me out one day. Took the wind right out of my sails.

 

[golfballs]

lol

 

[golfballs]

I got up early to lift before work this morning. Took a steam afterwards... feelin good

 

[Spartacavolus]

I went into the men's locker room at the Y before I left today to wash my hands and face, and I think a bird may have flown out of this man's bush.

 

[golfballs]

ukeb:

 

[bamacheats]

I really hate all of the new year's resolutionists that show up en masse with their matching outfits clogging up the gym. I can't wait until February when they quit.

 

[golfballs]

yeah, my club is doing a weight loss challenge, and they're clogging up the aerobics rooms. fortunately, they haven't migrated to the weight room yet.

 

[Thrasher865]

Lol I am one of those "New Year's resolutionists"

Kinda. I've been trying to get back in the gym. I used to work out over lunch at my old job and fell out of habit. A new $15/mo. gym just opened within 2 blocks of my work, so I signed up. They just happened to open just before the new year.

 

[n_huffhines]

I really hate all of the new year's resolutionists that show up en masse with their matching outfits clogging up the gym. I can't wait until February when they quit.

My buddy's facebook status just after new year's:

"This is it! 2012 is the year everybody gets in shape....unless it takes longer than 2 weeks."