[bulk then cut]

why do people prefer free weights over machines so much? and also if u use machines will it slow down your growth? or not grow at alll??? ???

[glutestriation]

I like to combine the two of them. But i like free weights best because they have a wide range of motion... I prefer machines to do isolates.

[Beefcake]

Not preferred, just used for different purposes. Free weights build muscle but machines are usually used for contest or a pump. Machines are good most of the time for things like cable crossovers and what-not. It won't stop your growth. Many pros believe in cables for growth, such as Markus Ruhl, Branch Warren, Jay Cutler, Ronnie Coleman, etc. Cables are a staple in my workouts.

[monkeybiker]

I believe that you should use both free weights and machines. As long as you are working hard and lifting progressively heavier weights then both are good.

[Teamorbit]

I would stick with free weights but jump on a machine everyonce in a while as a method too change things up. I don think theres nothing you can take from a machine that you cant from free weights. But theres a lot you can get from free weights that you cant get from machines.

[mvillelifter]

As stated in Arnold Schwarzenegger's Encyclopedia of Bodybuilding, your body is made to resist gravitational pull...thats why i prefer free weights.

[lil_big_junior]

BOTH

[Kirk]

cosign^

[Mygeeto]

i do both.
machine is simply ment to replicate a free weight movement but there are some machines which are better for some exersizes than free weights - but that is probably just my own opinion.

[Mygeeto]

and machines dont do anything for stabiliser muscles either.

[chrispghmuscle]

I use both myself, machines are on a fixed plane, where as free weights make you stablize more.

[lil_big_junior]

free weights = mass, strength & definition
but i just love using machines for the final burn. you can concentrate on the sqeeze a bit more.