Free Weights vs Machines vs Cables......

I use whatever the Ames Planet Fitness has to offer. I cannot go wrong because my Medicare Supplement pays my $10 a month.
 
Imo Yoga doesn't get enough credit for its physical benefits.

Seems like it's more associated with calm relaxation techniques when it can really be good PT.
I grew up power lifting. I feel stronger now at 38 without using any free weights, only yoga. No more body pain either besides my tendentious which is repetitive motion based.

I find yoga to be really difficult....which means I should be doing more yoga.
Until you get your core strength to where it needs to be, yes it's very challenging. Baby steps.
 
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I'm on the free weight camp but as others have pointed out machines do have their place.

Interesting about the tendonitis. I had to take a month break to allow my right elbow to heal up. I've been doing all treadmill work until I'm ready to start lifting again.

Lifting at 50 definitely isn't the same as lifting at 20 or 30.

Side note: I got bowflex's adjustable dumbbells a while back and they are great.
 
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Do whatever works for you. Machines and cables are going to be safer if you're more of a beginner but free weights are going to offer more bang for your buck in a couple ways.

1. They work more muscles. Think of a bench on a machine vs free weight. You need to activate a lot of additional muscle just stabilizing the weight.

2. Flexibility with exercises. With some dumbbells you can do a bunch of different exercises but a machine is going to be more limited.
 
I grew up power lifting. I feel stronger now at 38 without using any free weights, only yoga. No more body pain either besides my tendentious which is repetitive motion based.


Until you get your core strength to where it needs to be, yes it's very challenging. Baby steps.

Core is really undervalued especially as we age.
 
It's crazy how much power you unlock.
Almost as much as the real weight training option we aren’t talking about yet.



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Every 5-6 days I rotate 3 days of lifting.

1. Push Day (combo of free and machine weights all in a pushing motion such as inclined bench press ect)
2. Pull Day (combo of free and machine weights such as lat pull down, pull ups, rows ect)
3. Leg Day (mostly machines because I hate squates :) )
 
Every 5-6 days I rotate 3 days of lifting.

1. Push Day (combo of free and machine weights all in a pushing motion such as inclined bench press ect)
2. Pull Day (combo of free and machine weights such as lat pull down, pull ups, rows ect)
3. Leg Day (mostly machines because I hate squates :) )
Don't forget that core!
 
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Just started lifting again after about a 10 year break. I'm doing strictly cables and machines so far and I seem to be putting on muscle pretty easy already.

My diet is alot cleaner and I eat alot more than when I was younger though. The thing I noticed as I'm in my 40s now instead of 20s, I'm sore alot longer and it takes me longer to recover now. I'm only lifting 2 days a week and that seems to be enough so far.
 
Every 5-6 days I rotate 3 days of lifting.

1. Push Day (combo of free and machine weights all in a pushing motion such as inclined bench press ect)
2. Pull Day (combo of free and machine weights such as lat pull down, pull ups, rows ect)
3. Leg Day (mostly machines because I hate squates :) )

I do mainly upper push but need to expand as I get into a routine.
 
Just started lifting again after about a 10 year break. I'm doing strictly cables and machines so far and I seem to be putting on muscle pretty easy already.

My diet is alot cleaner and I eat alot more than when I was younger though. The thing I noticed as I'm in my 40s now instead of 20s, I'm sore alot longer and it takes me longer to recover now. I'm only lifting 2 days a week and that seems to be enough so far.

I'm the opposite: I'm only sore for a couple of days and I know I'm loading the work out enough; I tried shooting baskets the other day after lifting and it was like shooting a rock, haha.

Eating clean helps in all sorts of facets imo.
 
I'm the opposite: I'm only sore for a couple of days and I know I'm loading the work out enough; I tried shooting baskets the other day after lifting and it was like shooting a rock, haha.

Eating clean helps in all sorts of facets imo.
Yeah, it's probably more related to not lifting in 10 years than it is to getting older. The first time I lifted after my break I did very light for only 20 minutes and it took me a week to recover.

Now it's 2 or 3 day recovery time. In my 20s when I was in shape I could hit groups multiple times per week and wouldn't get sore very much.
 
Just started lifting again after about a 10 year break. I'm doing strictly cables and machines so far and I seem to be putting on muscle pretty easy already.

My diet is alot cleaner and I eat alot more than when I was younger though. The thing I noticed as I'm in my 40s now instead of 20s, I'm sore alot longer and it takes me longer to recover now. I'm only lifting 2 days a week and that seems to be enough so far.

I don't want to completely derail this thread, but what are a some meals you enjoy that are cleaner?

I struggle so much with eating..... pizza, tacos, lasagna, nachos, etc, etc..... it's all like crack for me... can't stop.
 
I don't want to completely derail this thread, but what are a some meals you enjoy that are cleaner?

I struggle so much with eating..... pizza, tacos, lasagna, nachos, etc, etc..... it's all like crack for me... can't stop.

My advice to anyone:

Get a Costco Membership.
Get frozen bulk organic veggies (they're like $8), skinless chicken tenders, fish, etc. that don't take much effort or time to cook on a pan with some olive oil and seasoning. If it's too plain add some cheese or something but not a ton.

Otherwise bananas, eggs etc. that are also easy. Habits or setting this kind of foundation can take real time but it can be done.
 
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I guess this is this year's 'Help I'm Fat!' thread. Repeating but here's a good yoga app that I like. The 'boosts' for specific things to work on are great.

 
I don't want to completely derail this thread, but what are a some meals you enjoy that are cleaner?

I struggle so much with eating..... pizza, tacos, lasagna, nachos, etc, etc..... it's all like crack for me... can't stop.
Breakfast I do banana, 2 eggs, a protein shake with 1/2 avocado, nuts, and oatmeal. It's about 1,000-1200 calories

Lunch I usually do either chicken breast or ground turkey with pasta, olive oil, and a vegetables, usually ends up about 400-600 calories

Afternoon I'll have a snack like apple and nuts, or if I went to the gym that day I'll have a protein shake right after to get more calories

Dinner I'll have protein with some kind of potato or squash and vegetables and olive oil

Then right before bed I have either oatmeal again or i also buy quinoa flakes, which you csn cook as a hot cereal, along with nuts and some fruit. I find eating right before bed helps me sleep alot better.

So I get about 3,000 calories a day, 150 grams of fat on average, 160 grams of protein usually, and maybe 200-220 carbs.

I've been eating this way for years though to put on weight after I had some major health issues i my early 30s so I'm used to it. I just now started lifting again though.

I'm what you would call a hard-gainer though so I have cheat meals, usually on the weekend I'll have some desserts or cereals that probably aren't very healthy.
 

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