I can't stand seeing these poor souls thinking they are actually working hard when they're using these stupid machines at the gym.
There are so many reasons why you shouldn't use gym machines in your training.
Here are just 3 of those reasons: 1) You'll Mess up your Range of Motion Everyone is different.
Some people are tall, others are short.
No two people will have the same exact exercise technique.
But, with machines, you are performing the same range of motion as someone who may have longer arms, or shorter legs than you do.
I've see people sit in an unnatural manner, just so they could move those machines.
Unfortunately this "one size fits all" concept doesn't work with exercise equipment.
Forget the machines and start using dumbbells as part of your regiment.
2) You're Ignoring Muscle Groups There are actually more muscle groups than just arms, chest, back, legs, and abs.
There are these tiny stabilizer muscles that get ignored when you workout on machines.
They get ignored because the machines are doing the stabilizing for you.
Hence.
you're not really working as hard as you should be (or think you are).
The machine is doing the bulk of the work for you.
It's giving you an illusion that you are working hard.
Forget the machines and use dumbbells to hit those stabilizer muscles.
3) You're Paying too Much The gym's show you all this fancy equipment, than charge you a boat load of money.
You think you're getting a great workout at the gym, meanwhile you realize two thing: 1) You're not even using a third of the equipment at the gym, and 2) You're spending too much for your gym membership.
Forget the gym and start training at home.
With the money you'll save on your gym membership, you can buy a pair of dumbbells (which actually don't cost a lot), and start training in the comfort of your own home.
Those dumbbells will last you a long time! Hopefully I've been able to convince you to turn in your gym membership for a pair of dumbbells.