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If you are considering starting a new strength-training program, or if you are interested in creating a home gym in your home, you may have been struggling with the debate of whether to go with free weights or an exercise machine. Overall, free weights seem to have the advantage of being better for your workout. Here are some reasons why.

Current research suggests that you will get stronger using mainly free weights. This may be because you use different muscles when working with free weights than with the assistance of a machine. Free weights are also closer to movements that you make during every day life.

Exercises that require more than one muscle group, such as squats and bench presses, are more complicated with free weights. This is because you have to stabilize yourself more than you would if you were using a machine. The machine stabilizes you by only allowing you make the movement along the track. This can lead to greater strength and improved balance.

Free weights allow for a variety of different workouts. With a machine you are limited to the movements that the machine can perform. Free weights are also more portable, meaning that you can perform your exercises in a variety of locations if desired. Try caring your home gym with you next time you want to go on vacation or workout outside!

If your budget is tight or you are not sure how long you are going to stick with your routine, free weights are a cheaper investment than an exercise machine. Since they come in a variety of sizes, you can also purchase free weights in the exact sizes to fit your workout routine best.

Some find the simplicity of using an exercise machine to be boring and unchallenging. This may cause you to drop your workout routine sooner and hinder you from reaching your goals. Or you may be tempted to overdo it to challenge yourself more and cause an injury.

Exercise machines require more maintenance to upkeep than free weights. There are moving parts to maintain in good working order. Replacement parts can become expensive. You will need to know where replacement parts can be bought, as well as who will install them for you.

If you have a small space, free weights take up a lot less room to use than an exercise machine. They can also be stored with more flexibility if needed. They are easy to push out of the way if you want to use your gym area for something else when you are not working out.

This is not to say that free weights are the perfect solution to everything. There are a few things that you may want to consider.

Free weights can be harder for a new trainer to master. Exercise machines have a set movement path, making the motions easier to master. Since the movement is not set, free weights may carry an increased risk of injury if you do not know how to use them properly.

Exercise machines can be faster to use. This is because they do not require moving plates or tracking down larger weights to upgrade your workout, instead it is a simple matter of moving a pin or a hook.

Exercise machines offer a consistent amount of resistance, regardless of what part of the motion you are performing. For free weights, the resistance can vary depending on what position you are in and how much gravity is helping you. Generally the top of the movement has more resistance than the bottom of the movement. This may mean that you need to vary your exercises more to work all muscle groups equally.

Machines can also make it easier to do circuit training, such as transferring quickly from arm curls to lateral pulls to bench pressing. Often this can be performed by just moving a pulley or a pin. In free weights you do have to set up equipment in between exercises.

Despite this, many people still feel that free weights provide a more complete workout. Before making your final decision, you may find it helpful to try out both styles and see what fits your routine the best.

Before starting any type of workout, always make sure to check with your doctor.