Some people prefer Free Weights over Weight Machines or vice versa. So, which of these methods is the most correct?
Free Weights are an excellent choice for those who opt for a more functional workout that involves multiple muscles and natural movements; Weight Machines are useful for targeting specific muscles, providing safety, and making training easier for beginners.
BOOMFIT spoke with Personal Trainer Tiago Gago to understand the differences and which method is the most recommended.
“One training method is not superior to the other”
When we talked to Tiago, we realized that he adopted our motto of “Every athlete is unique”, especially since he believes that when someone starts this type of training, it is necessary to look at the goals: “More than considering the equipment, we must consider the individual, choosing the [type of training] that best fits their needs and particularities,” says the Personal Trainer, adding that it is necessary to “evaluate the person in front of us and try to profile them, highlighting the main health issues, training experience, past injuries, motivation, etc.” and only then “select what best fits the specific context of each person. The person we work with or prescribe exercise for is who provides us these answers for a more assertive exercise plan.”
For the professional, the Free Weight and Machine Training differ only in one aspect: the “direction of resistance. In the first case, except for some mechanical scenarios, resistance comes from the force of gravity acting on a mass, which is the dumbbell or barbell, so its direction is always the same and the practitioner must adjust to this particularity to achieve a certain challenge for a muscle group; with machines, resistance comes from the plates but can be redirected and applied to specific joints, allowing the practitioner to place themselves in a more strategic position and thus efficiently accomplish the exercise's objective,” he explains. For Tiago, no training method is superior to the other, contrary to the “idea” that weight training might be superior to machines: “At this point, we understand that this is not quite true,” especially since “everything depends on the mastery with which we apply one approach or the other and, obviously, the individual in front of us.”
However, both forms have benefits and can even “offer the same results” because muscles “do not know whether it is a free weight or a machine.” It is up to a “competent” Personal Trainer to know “how to use both in different scenarios,” since “both approaches can coexist in a training plan. All practitioners should have access to a physical exercise professional who can frame both in the best context for the person,” says Tiago Gago, adding that the strategy should be for professionals to be “more conservative when it comes to the practitioner's health and choose the safest solutions, including one or the other in their training plan as the individual progresses.”
For athletes just starting in fitness, the professional suggests ignoring “the ‘trends’ that arise” and seeking “someone who can guide them,” especially since “physical exercise professionals are increasingly qualified to work with all types of people, possessing strong knowledge of physiology and biomechanics, which acts as a good guarantee for those who seek them.”
Final considerations
Many may think that Machines are a superior method to Free Weights, and some think the opposite. But in the end, it all depends on the real needs of the athlete and their physical condition.
As Tiago says, in a “perfect world,” everyone “should have access to a physical exercise professional” who guides each practitioner to a balanced and effective training plan.
That is why, if you are an athlete, we recommend finding a Personal Trainer who provides the right support and helps you set clear and attainable goals. If you are a Personal Trainer, your role is to guide your athlete and offer the best equipment so they achieve their goals and feel valued.
This is where BOOMFIT can help you: we have a portfolio with dozens of equipment and accessories, including Free Weights and Machines, which will further equip the services you provide. Talk to our team: we are available to help you expand your project even further!
Happy training!
