Should i get in a gym or should i stay with my bench and dumbells? Are machines really that better over freeweights? I went for a month and despite getting a good pump everytime i feel like im actually getting weaker specially on the joints
>>77221199For overall strength it goes dumbbells > barbells > smith machine > dedicated machineThe issues with dumbbells are that progression is a little bit harder since they usually have steeper weight jumps than a barbell, and they eventually get huge, can be cumbersome to get in position, and eventually you will reach a point for many lifts where the limiting factor is grip strength or the ability to get in position rather than the muscles you are trying to work. Thats assuming you haven't already maxed out available weight too, since dumbbells usually have a lower weight maximum in situations where you only have access to them.What machines are good for is eliminating limiting factors you aren't wanting to work while letting you still do work on the main muscles. For example its probably better to do leg press machine rather than squats following deadlifts, because your lower back is already tired from the deadlifts.
