>>77396108
Machines are kind of bullshit because they're all 2D planar movements which really only fit your elbow and knee, everything else is more dynamic. Machine (leg)curls, knee extensions and maybe a triceps machine are pretty much the only ones where you could truly say there is "no difference." However, every machine I have ever used has a shitload of "slack" to it where you have to push/pull it a certain distance before the weights actually start to move. It's like going 1 to 11 with force so I doubt that's safe.

Also, people keep talking about magical machines that don't even exist in gyms. They're always talking about "isotonic" machines, where there is constant, equal tension throughout the range of motion. This is the methodology behind the nautilus "cam", but gyms hardly have these and it's just some $18000 lever bullshit. It's a total scam but boomers pay top dollar to see their machines, so they exist nonetheless.

I refuse to believe people who say machines feel better

machines feel shit as fuck compared to free weights

i honestly just think people who say that tried a dumbbell press like 1 time and then gave up

>>77397023
Probably just depends in muscle inserts, limb length, form.

>>77396108
Machines are designed so that you feel your muscles when you use them.

What happens is that memes have hijacked your brain and you can't allow yourself to feel your muscles with machines because the internet told you that machines bad 10 years ago.