Bodybuilders - machine training

[booey]

I don't know about you guys, but the more I progress, the more I find myself using machines. Of course, the main lifts are, and always will be, either BB or DB (bench, squats, rows, deadlifts, military press, etc.). But I'm using machines much more as accessory exercises. One reason is because I'm moving a lot of weight and I feel more prone to injury using BB/DBs (e.g. skull crushers), so I replaced each with a machine. Another is maybe because I'm getting bored of years and years of barbell and dumbbell work. I used to never use machines, so maybe I'm subconsciously telling myself to switch it up.

Anyone feel me?

[NWMUSCLE]

I feel ya bro, I used to never use machines as I felt they were for fags and sissies, the last few years however I have been using a lot of hammerstrength type of equipment mixed in with my freeweights and I am liking it.
My back and shoulder training is probably where I use machines the most.
More stable is good for safety, but may make me weaker too. Who knows?

[Sarge]

If it keeps training fun and worth while, why not?

Better than saying screw training i'm bored, you know...

Every few months it seems i'll hit the hammer strength stuff just for fun to throw some plates around.

[bigsix]

Always great to switch it up.

[cranny]

I'm not sure if I would classify plate loaded equipment as a machine but I love them. If I had the money, my whole gym would be Hammer Strength equipment and free weights. I still love the D'bells and B'bells as you described but I see nothing wrong w/ incorporating machines/ plate loaded pcs. into our workout.

[big4life]

My gym has a lot of plate loaded nautilus and hammer strength equipment that I use on a regular basis.

[Halfway]

Hammer back and a few of their pressing peices are great .. the leverage can be a bit silly but it makes sense to use the machines that suit you

[MR.cashcream]

I'll always start with my compounds/bb/db work first and use the machines as an accessory to tax out the muscle without injury. They serve their purpose.

Although I would disagree with some of those folks at the gym who I see base their entire workout sessions with these machines.

[BRINO]

I like machines, dont need a spotter. And i cant do even moderatly heavy barbell benches or inclines anymore without shoulder pain.

[cranny]

I like machines, dont need a spotter. And i cant do even moderatly heavy barbell benches or inclines anymore without shoulder pain.

Brino, have you tried DB flat bench? That really helped me when battling w/ my shoulder at least. It seemed to allow me a better position as far as my arms through the movement.

[BRINO]

Yeah, Cranny i do a lot of Db moves but i like Hammer strength for my DC that i follow somtimes. Plus i just had to switch to a Cardinal Fitness cause my gym closed and their DBs only go to 100lbs.

[booey]

their DBs only go to 100lbs.

That really sucks. You should tell the manager to purchase higher ones.

[HULK1550]

i train more like a powerlifter but as i got stronger and bigger, certain machines become more of a mainstay mostly because like someone else said basically you have to start worrying about injury and what is safe more and more.

[Killer]

Yeah, it sucks when you hurt yourself getting the Dbs into position.

I mix and match.

But, like Mr Cashcream said, I often use free weights, then hit some Hammer machines when the stabilizers are fried and you can still tax the prime movers some more.

[Halfway]

A pair of DB hooks would help when you're using the bigger DB's. On monday I was getting the 150's up to shoulder height for my partner, and we roped in the biggest thing we could find to do the left side.. idiot took over a minute trying to lift the DB off the floor, handed it off in a horrible place and got his headphones wrapped around the handle. DB hooks would make that a thing of the past

[solidspine]

Just the opposite, I go to a couple of local gyms, one huge gym and I find my self mixing things up with some machines, but 95% of my exercises are with dumbbells and barbells.

[booey]

Just the opposite, I go to a couple of local gyms, one huge gym and I find my self mixing things up with some machines, but 95% of my exercises are with dumbbells and barbells.

See I didn't expect that. Didn't you injure yourself doing heavy skull crushers?

[Fit Mum]

i usually do machines once every four weeks or so to change things up...nothing wrong with that!!!! :)

[JG1]

I think the only machine I use is the machine dips for triceps. I mean I use cables and things like that, but I don't think I ever use the hammer chest/back/shoulder machines

[saiyanjin]

I don't know about you guys, but the more I progress, the more I find myself using machines. Of course, the main lifts are, and always will be, either BB or DB (bench, squats, rows, deadlifts, military press, etc.). But I'm using machines much more as accessory exercises. One reason is because I'm moving a lot of weight and I feel more prone to injury using BB/DBs (e.g. skull crushers), so I replaced each with a machine. Another is maybe because I'm getting bored of years and years of barbell and dumbbell work. I used to never use machines, so maybe I'm subconsciously telling myself to switch it up.

Anyone feel me?
booey: check this out

Muscular Development MDTV - In the Trenches (http://mdtv.musculardevelopment.com/content/category/30/130/204/)

[Kap]

I just did a leg workout using all machines. I feel less of a man. LOL

[Lumberjack5.0]

I never use machines for anything of importance. The only thing I use that's not a DB/BB is the pressdown station, but if's for ultra high-rep pushdowns (80-100 reps) to make my elbows feel good.

IMO free weights are safer than machines overall, barring operator error from the equation.

[Scarlett]

I like occasionally improvising with machines, using them completely NOT how they're intended.. it can make for awesome accessory work if you execute things right.

At my university gym Olympic lifting is strictly prohibited (young douchebag guys run a high risk of killing each other by throwing bars around, dontcha know), but I've found a way around it for at least one lift... my favorite improv - using a plate-loading (front) squat machine to do Olympic-ish pressing. It's pretty intense and I LOVE it when the staff wants to say something to me so badly, but I scare them because I obviously know what I'm doing. lol.

[Polski Byk]

I like machines. They keep things interesting and fun. But they have there place. They def appeal to my laziness sometimes;)