I started lifting weights (again) and accurately tracking my progress (I bought a “cheap” workout and weight loss plan, which requires a lot of data so you can see your progress (or regress)). When bench pressing and doing squats on the (Cybex) Smith Machine I had assumed that the bar weighed 45 pounds like a free bar does and added it to the total weight. It wasn’t until my most recent session (finished about 30 minutes ago) that I realized that the bar doesn’t in fact weigh 45 pounds…but weighs anywhere from 7 to 30 pounds, according to what I saw from a quick search. I should have realized that it wasn’t 45 pounds because it felt pretty light. Google says that the average weight tends to be about 15 pounds, but I have no idea.
I was also using the (Cybex) overhead should press machine and saw that the plates past 50 pounds went in 15 pound increments. Then I noticed the additional weight at the top, disabled by a pin. When I lowered it down on to the stack there was no number on it. Was it 5 pounds? 7.5 pounds? 10 pounds? Who knows?
How are people supposed to know how much weight they’re lifting if things aren’t numbered properly? They have these huge stickers that say everything, but they can’t put “bar weighs 15 lbs” on it?
I’ve definitely noticed that there isn’t a correlation between free weights and the machines. Doing an Overhead Dumbbell Shoulder Press I was struggling at 20 pounds after about 9 reps, but with the Shoulder Press machine I had no problem doing 50 pounds.
A big part is always going to be stabilization, when you’re using the machines you don’t need to focus on those muscles, so I usually recommend people doing free weights. It’s a similar story to doing chest flies. But the big benefit of the machines is they’re designed to conform to the “optimal” range of motion, and somewhat less chance of injury
Yeah, I switched after one arm gave out with the barbells and I tweaked a muscle in my neck.