When you think of weight machines, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many, it’s clunky gym equipment that feels like it belongs in a beginner’s corner or a rehab clinic. But that ...

Are free weights really the clear winner in the battle for muscle? Our fitness director weighs up the evidence ...

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. While many powerlifters, bodybuilders, and Olympians use both, there's still the ever-raging debate of whether free weights or ...

The fitness world is divided: On one side, you’ve got the purists who swear by barbells, dumbbells, and kettlebells. This crew is all about functional strength—workouts that mimic real-life movements ...

Walk into any weight room, and you’ll likely have two options for training the same muscle: grab a pair of dumbbells or use a weight machine. If your goal is to build muscle, you may wonder whether ...

We might earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of the links. The McClatchy Commerce Content team, which is independent from our newsroom, oversees this content. Do you love strength ...

You're currently following this author! Click to unsubscribe from email alerts. Ever wondered about those odd-looking objects in the corner of your local gym? Don't be shy — you might be looking at ...

Both gym tribes are partly right. A 2023 systematic review pooling 13 studies and more than 1,000 participants found no meaningful difference in muscle growth between free weight and machine training.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Despite most 'functional' gyms being on their third or fourth generation of rowing, skiing or biking apparatus, the pro free ...