I have never had an exercise machine as a part of Stowe Training and never will.
The biggest reason is that when we perform free weight variations of exercises instead of the machine counter-part we are working our core.
When you sit on a machine to perform an exercise the seat takes the place of your glutes, abs, and upper back. Performing the free-weight variations assures we can work those under-developed muscles the entire time we are exercising.
There is also the fact that “sitting is the new smoking” – sitting too much leads to a lengthy list of health issues; going to a gym to sit down and work out just makes little to no sense to me.
The final nail in the coffin is that machines force everyone to use the same range of motion. With free-weights, you have nearly endless options in adjusting stance and grip to fit the exercise to your unique anthropometry (college word for how your body is shaped).
Overall, the free-weight variation of an exercise is superior in every way except one – they have a steeper learning curve.
With machines, there is literally a picture on the side that tells you “how to do it right” along with muscles colored in red so that you know what you should feel.
Now that is a pretty big drawback, but, with even an hour of coaching (or heck the hundreds of free YouTube videos I have posted over the years) you can be pretty sure to overcome this obstacle as well.
Free weights for the win – do you agree?
Let me know!
Train Smart.
Train Persistently.
Can’t Lose,
Nate
PS. However, you are ready there are 3 ways to work with me:
1. Feel 10 Years Younger
Whether at my personal training studio or online we will develop a customized program for you to eliminate joint pain, banish unwanted weight gain, and eliminate medications.
Just reply YOUNGER to this email to learn more.
2. Get My Book
My book The Fitness Success Checklist For Retirees details my exact approach to help people feel and look ten years younger and you can download the digital copy for free.
3. Success Plan
We can just jump on the phone for thirty minutes and learn more about each other including your goals, limitations, likes, and dislikes. From there I can help you formulate a customized health and fitness plan.
Just reply back to the email PLAN to learn more.
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