Do weight machiens like a chest press and decline chest press build as much STRENGTH MUSCLE as if you used free weights.
machines do not train the stabilizer muscles because the weights are set in a track. only use machines for isolation exercises after free-weight training. for instance, bench press 8 reps 4 sets. then move to the incline chest press machine and 4 sets of 8 reps again (more weight because machines make it easier (no stabilizer muscles))
Its not about which you are using, you can use strict form with free weights and gain the same amount of strength as with a machine, plus free weights are the grandaddys of how weightlfiting should be. Go hardcore stick with the free weights, they create a stronger muscle balance anyway.
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machines do not train the stabilizer muscles because the weights are set in a track. only use machines for isolation exercises after free-weight training. for instance, bench press 8 reps 4 sets. then move to the incline chest press machine and 4 sets of 8 reps again (more weight because machines make it easier (no stabilizer muscles))
References :