Functional trainer vs. universal ??

Judge · Post by **Judge** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:40 am

Hello all. I'm new to the exercise scene and am quite overwhelmed by all the information out there.
Some background: I'm a 39yo , 160 pounds and 5'8. Genetic predisposition towards heart disease but thin physique.
wife recently purchased a tread mill. I have been jogging fairly routinely, about 3 to 5 times per week and managed to loose about 8 pounds in the process. I usually pick the mixed interval program and jog about 40 to 45 minutes. Max speed at 6.3 at 2.0 max incline. Usually keep heart rate around 160 average, 180 max and no less than 140.
I have been using resistance bands for about 6 weeks and am really suprised at the results this far. I plan on buying another piece of equipment soon. It's either going to be a functional trainer or universal machine.
intention is to gain muscle bulk, about another 20 pounds max in the long run and try to get some definition in the process.
I have researched the equipment and narrowed it down to these:

http://www.geartrends.com/cgi-bin/geart ... index.html
http://www.nordictrack.com/cgi-bin/ncom ... tcat=46525

OR

http://store.net2fitness.com/womustgymwil.html

The problem is I really have no idea which one will give me the ability to obtain goals. I'm sure each option has it's own benefits, but I can only afford one.

Any advise would be MUCH appreciated.
Thank you

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 4:21 pm

This is what I would get if I had to start from scratch in order:

1 - Barbell / Dumbell's and free wts up to about 100kgs in total
2 - Adjustable bench that can go decline, flat and incline
3 - Power Rack (not a smith machine)...there's a picture of one below

http://www.aokhealth.com/PowerRack.htm

4 - Some cable machine but probably only small one

Feree Wts wull get you where you want to go. Cables are only useful for "shaping or toneing" (2 bad words but i think hyou understand what i mean) the muscle once aprreciable mass is obtained.

Get back to me with what you think. For programs and advice go to link below and register and I can also set up a program for you as well as a food plan.

Judge · Post by **Judge** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 9:10 pm

Well, I don't know what to think about that.
I think I need to know your opinion on one specific question. How much more effective are freeweights compared to a universal gym?

In the long run I believe I would sustain more motivation from the visual appeal of a universal gym. Also I get a better idea of what exercises to focus on when looking at a universal. It's like "thats where I do this and thats where I do that".
With free weights I feel lost somehow.

I don't know, it's all new to me.

I did sign up on your other forum's though. user name is the same as here. Judge.

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:09 pm

Thanks for registering. As mentioned free wts is where it's at. The best part about the power rack is that you can use as much wt as you like and feel completely safe as you can set the pins to any you want and if you get stuck the bar will rest on the pins instead of your head!! You'll find it extremely hard to build any apprecialble amount of muscle and / or lose fat with a cable machine as they just aren't as hard to control as free wts. There's so many reasons I can't state one that will make think otherwise. I suppose you can just trust me on this one. I can guide you though all you need to know prgoram wise and the exercises are very basic with a power rack. You can always stay with heavy wt so you don't need as much variation. I wish I had one at home!!!!

Judge · Post by **Judge** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 1:40 pm

I think I will trust you on the freeweights advise. I haven't looked any information up yet but I'm sure it will save me some money too.

I would be very appreciative of guidance for workout routines. I've looked at the animated exercises on this site and found them extremely helpful. If you use the exercises described here then I will know exactly what you are talking about.

BTW, I didn't realize I had not signed up on your forum. I thought I had but when I tried to log on it didn't know me. So, I just registered. Same name ias here, Judge.

swanso5 · Post by **swanso5** » Mon Jul 03, 2006 3:37 pm

In the meantime I think you should try some of the bodyweight ideas in the bodyweight exercise program on the site. I have all client's do bodyweight stuff before adding any external load (i.e. wt) to condition the body for harder work ahead. Let me know what you think there and I can set something up for you.