I still remember my first gym membership. Well, technically, it wasn’t even mine—I was on a family plan at the local LA Fitness. Back then, that was the place to be. If you trained there, you were serious about working out.
Before that, my workouts happened in our pool house or in the outdated weight room at school. I didn’t know much about proper training, but I was eager to get stronger. Being the smallest kid in the neighborhood had me struggling with confidence, and I wanted to change that.
How I Got Started with Gym Machines
Lifting weights helped. I got stronger, faster, and more athletic. But in the beginning, I only knew how to train using machines. That’s just how most of us started—machines were easy, had instructions and pictures, and didn’t require much thought.
I’ll never forget the day I finished a workout and decided to hit the pool for a few laps afterward. Big mistake. My arms were complete noodles, and I almost drowned. No lifeguards. No witnesses. Just me and a terrible decision.
After swallowing my pride (and half the pool), I made my way to the steam room—where I could sit in peace without the fear of going under.
Machines were a great starting point, but even back then, I knew I was missing something.
The Shift to Free Weights
It wasn’t until later that I learned the real benefits of training with free weights. That was the game-changer. Free weights helped me build real-world strength, improve my coordination, and level up my performance in sports.
Through high school and college, I refined my training, ditched the machines, and focused on real strength work. And now, I use the same principles with my clients—helping them achieve the same results.
Why Machines Are Holding You Back
Now, don’t get me wrong—machines aren’t useless. But most people in the gym aren’t training to be bodybuilders. If your goal is to lose fat, build strength, and move better, you need to prioritize free weights and functional training.
I break it all down in my latest video:
📽 Watch Now: Are Gym Machines a Waste of Time?
In this video, I go deeper into why relying too much on machines can slow your progress—and what you should be doing instead to get real results.
Take Action
If you’re still spending most of your time hopping from machine to machine, it’s time to switch things up. Start incorporating more free weights into your workouts and watch how much stronger, more athletic, and more capable you become.
👉 Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more training tips, workout strategies, and no-BS fitness advice.
Let me know—do you still use machines in your workouts? Drop a comment below!
Comments