Almost everyone knows by now that one of the best ways to lose fat is to build muscle. And you build muscle through what's known as resistance training, or weight training. While you can build significant muscle with free weights, many people opt instead to use weight machines, since they offer several advantages.
For instance, weight machines are neat and relatively compact--no barbells, dumbbells and plates scattered all over when you're done with a workout. Furthermore, most weight machines are simple and intuitive to use.
In recent years, weight machines have been the subject of considerable engineering innovations, with emphasis placed on maximum efficiency for working your muscles. In addition to the familiar cables-pulleys-weight-stack configuration, flexible rods, elastic bands and other novel resistance technologies are gaining a following.
What to Look for
Your first concern should be durability. How is this thing going to hold up to your workouts? Be aware that cable and pulley systems may need periodic maintenance, like lubrication of moving parts or replacement of worn components.
Also, what exercises or body parts are absolutely essential for you to train? If you can afford a full gym-style set up, you might opt for several specialized machines such as a lat pull-down, a leg extension, a t-bar row, and so on. But most consumers are probably looking at an all-in-one unit that attempts to cram as many different body parts into one machine as possible. This is fine, as long as the unit does not sacrifice quality for quantity of exercises.
Try it before you buy it. If at all possible, try the machine in a store, at a gym or at a friend's house before investing your money. You may be looking at an outlay of a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand, depending on the complexity, quality and newness of the machine.
Test it for smoothness of the pulleys and cams and make a note of whether you're feeling a "good" fatigue from the machine's action, and not the pain or discomfort that suggests improper biomechanics.
Common Pitfalls
If the machine feels wobbly, or the pads seem too narrow for your build, don't buy it. Likewise, if you find that your limbs are too long or short to fit comfortably in it, don't buy it. Most commercially-produced weight machines are designed to fit the "average" proportioned person. But from a biomechanics standpoint, this is as ineffective as it is dangerous if the machine causes your body's pivot points--your joints--to be out of alignment with each other.
And while this next point might seem like common sense, it does bear mentioning: Make sure you have space for the particular machine you have in mind. Will this machine's footprint fit into the area you have available? Make sure it will clear any vertical obstacles such as ceiling fans, light fixtures or objects hanging from rafters.
Weight machines will absolutely help you to stay in shape, build muscle and improve muscular endurance. One of the keys to making sure it stays fun is to ensure you get the best machine for you.
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