> "For newbies, machines are great to improve their form"
Well, there we do disagree ;) The activation patterns which are crucial to balance and stabilization don't get developed when using machines, and you can build up muscles much more quickly than connective tissue (tendons and ligaments). It's all too easy to into a situation where you're strong enough to lift weight that you can't stabilize under stress, and that's when injury is likely to occur. Weak tendons and ligaments coupled with poor stabilization activation patterns is a recipe for injuries. Better to start off with lighter free weight and good form for long term health and strength.
I don't have it at hand, but I recall a trainer encouraging a progression that went along the lines of "Form, then Speed, then Weight". If this jogs anyone's memory and has a reference (perhaps with a correction or expansion), I'd appreciate it.
Well, there we do disagree ;) The activation patterns which are crucial to balance and stabilization don't get developed when using machines, and you can build up muscles much more quickly than connective tissue (tendons and ligaments). It's all too easy to into a situation where you're strong enough to lift weight that you can't stabilize under stress, and that's when injury is likely to occur. Weak tendons and ligaments coupled with poor stabilization activation patterns is a recipe for injuries. Better to start off with lighter free weight and good form for long term health and strength.
I don't have it at hand, but I recall a trainer encouraging a progression that went along the lines of "Form, then Speed, then Weight". If this jogs anyone's memory and has a reference (perhaps with a correction or expansion), I'd appreciate it.