John lives in a one-bedroom apartment and has a limited budget. He would like to purchase strength-training equipment. Which would you recommend: free weights or a Universal Gym machine? Explain why.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

You would recommend free weights primarily because they are much less expensive than a Universal Gym machine. On a limited budget, free weights are a better option. Other advantages of free weights include:• Variety. A bar and a few plates can be used to perform many exercises to strengthen most muscles in the body.• Portability. Free weights can be easily moved from one area or station to another.• Coordination. Free weights require greater muscular coordination to mimic movement requirements of specific tasks.• Balance: Free weights require that a person balance the weight through the entire range of motion. This feature involves additional support and stabilizing muscles to keep the weight moving properly.• One size fits all. People of almost all ages can use free weights.Although a Universal Gym machine (among other advantages) would be safer, is easier to use, provides variable resistance, isolates muscles more effectively, requires less time, and contributes more to joint flexibility, it would be significantly more expensive. Besides, John's small apartment simply does not have the space to set up the machine.