Cables OR Free Weights ? ? ? ?

[babylon]

What up ;

I have been debating with people over which is better........... Cables or Free weights?? I prefer free weights because of many reasons but some of my friends disagree. IMO cables are more for getting more toned up than building mass...........

What do most of you prefer ?????? and WHY , thanks !

[bad14u]

I like to use both, mix it up to keep my body from getting in a routine!!! With free weights, IMO, it too easy to work out and not use proper form, with cable weights I feel I am using proper form and working the intended muscle group!!! IMO

[Miller893]

i usally use free weights but i like to toss in some cables for different work outs. mix it up a little

[meat12]

Exactly, it's not really that one is better than the other...it's more that the variation of the two will work nicely for ya. It will restimulate your muscles to change from one to the other. Yeah and cables definately help with form.

[pierced one]

both

[bonebreaker]

Yeah, both are good for various reasons, I use both too. Only thing is, with free weights, for the most part, you are also training the synergistic muscles as well as the main thing you are working. An example of synergistic training is: Someone who can bench 400lbs on a bench machine, and only uses that machine--Put him under a regular barbell with 300 lbs on it and he has not much stability and the weights are moving all over. Had he been doing regular benches, the synergistic muscles would have also been trained and his stability would be much better. BB

[joe bigboy]

for me the only way i can build good size is heavy basic movements with free weights

[the dude]

Yeah but with using db's all the time you will eventually plateau, you have to give yourself a change of pace every once in a while. Plus cables help build stability. I would say niether one is really better than the other. When you get to the point where you not seeing any real results switch over to cables man. Won't hurt to try it.

[Chris]

Originally posted by bad14u
I like to use both

I agree.

Chris

[Mr. Shoulders]

Use both

[Viuuulentt']

IMHO, both, but free weights are more important.
Cèo!

[the_inkslinger]

ive noticed free weights have helped my strength and form great..also , last cycle i used free weihts for heavy tuff..cables for super sets and got great results...

[Stonecold54]

Originally posted by babylon
What up ;

I have been debating with people over which is better........... Cables or Free weights?? I prefer free weights because of many reasons but some of my friends disagree. IMO cables are more for getting more toned up than building mass...........

What do most of you prefer ?????? and WHY , thanks !

the question is not an accurate one and is not possible to answer with such a limited choice. If the machines were good, made by MedEx or Superslow or Nautilus. then yes they are better than freeweights. Hammer strength are good as well and probably better than free weights. But most of the current machines are no better than free weights (cyber and such). the answers lie in the internal friction of the machines and the strength curves they follow. what type of restraints they have. the discussion would take up pages but a general answer is that properly built machines would blow free weights out of the water. your muscle cannot tell the difference all it feels is tension.

[sithlord]

i cant even believe this question is being debated over-free weights are the king since the begging to the end no ? look at the drapers, francos,arnold,bertil fox, to the current-dorian,ronnie coleman etc, the list is way to long even to begin to type nobodys has built a big , dense ,thick body off cables alone they are a good finishing exercise at best after the real stuff. this is a bbing forum isnt it save the all machine and cable workouts for the injured and for the people who train at balleys- l8r