While some weightlifting purists consider using muscle-building machines a form of cheating, machines can provide several advantages over traditional free weights. Free weights, such as dumbbells and barbells, activate a broader range of muscles in comparison to machines, according to the University of New Mexico. However, lifting them is also more dangerous, as the body's muscles must provide all of the stabilization and support. In contrast, muscle-building machines can help steady movements and help control the precise range of motion for an exercise.
Cable Machines
Cable machines are some of the most basic muscle-building machines that you will encounter at the gym. These machines come in a variety of configurations, each of which the manufacturers design to work a specific muscle group. However, in many instances you can also use the same machine to work different muscles by switching out different handle attachments. What all of these machines have in common is that they rely on cables and pulleys to transfer resistance to the user. While one end of a machine's cable is attached to a handle, the other is attached to a stack of weighted plates. Changing the weight on a cable machine requires inserting an adjustment pin between two of these plates. One of the benefits of cable machines over other types of muscle-building machines is that they allow exercisers to workout in different planes, according to the University of Central Florida. This means exercisers can pull the cables in multiple directions, varying where they feel the resistance.
Weight Machines
Unlike cable machines, weight machines do not rely on cables and pulleys to generate resistance. In addition, the machines do not utilize uniform, pre-stacked weights that you adjust with a pin. Instead, weight machines function using basic mechanical joints or sliding mechanisms. Increasing their weight requires physically adding on more weight plates, like the ones that go on the ends of barbells. These machines typically work just one primary muscle group, as they do not have interchangeable attachments like their cable counterparts. One popular weight machine for working the back muscles, according to MuscleandStrength.com, is the T-bar row machine, which operates using a simple hinge mechanism.
Variable Resistance Machines
Cable machines and weight machines are both muscle-building machines that rely on constant resistance. This means that a user of one of these machines is always pushing, or pulling, against the same amount of force throughout the exercise, according to BuildMuscleGainWeight.com. In contrast, variable resistance machines, like the well-known home gym machines that utilize flexible bows, change the amount of force that is put on your body as you perform an exercise. You will experience the most resistance at the middle or peak of a motion, while the beginnings and endings of motions are less intense.
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