Are any machines ok?

[Ronin_]

I wondered if pulley based machines with a free range of motion rather than fixed, for example

low pulley seated rows

pull downs

tricep pushdowns

pulley curls

Were ok?

Also as for hamstring flexion are ham curl machines ok then?

If not what alternative can be used for ham flexion?

 

[Bob Smith]

For ham flexion, a glute/ham raise will destroy your hams from both sides.

As for the movements listed, pulldowns are the only one, IMO, that is halfway decent. But if you can do pullups, they are definitely better. For the rest,
they are pretty bad, as they are a poor variant of the real movement (ex. pulley curls vs bar curls).

One more thing, I wish people would get past this Weider Principle of having to hit a muscle from every angle.

 

[diesel85]

hey Bob

can you describe, or send me to a site, that explains how to do a glute/ham raise? i've heard of em, but don't know how to do em. have similar probs with low back, can't really do straight leg deads...thanks

 

[Bob Smith]

You do glute/ham raises on a glute/ham bench. Im sure there is a way to do a variation by tucking your heels under a railing, but its just not the same as the real deal. I dont know if T-mag is still operating or not, but they had an article that had some information about the alternative I mentioned.

 

[kingmetal]

Some Hammer Strength machines seem to be good for me- although a sloppy second. A incline Hammer-strength machine at my gym smokes my chest after a heavy bench workout.
Pulldowns are great, but nothing beats close-grip Bench-press or skullcrushers.

 

[Blue09]

Pulldowns are great, but nothing beats close-grip Bench-press or skullcrushers.

You're confusing exercises. Pulldowns are for the back, not for the triceps

I usually stick to free weights but use machines every once in a while.