One of the ever-raging debates heard in most gyms is whether using weights or machines is more effective for building muscle.

"Before you start using free weights, make sure you've mastered a few bodyweight exercises," Meghan Kennihan, an NASM-certified personal trainer based in Western Springs, IL, told POPSUGAR. Meghan ...

When you’re using machines, you also reduce the recruitment of the surrounding stabilizing muscles. Take bench presses: With free weights, you need to activate more of your deltoid muscles to hold the ...

Lifting at your local gym can be intimidating. Here’s a beginner-friendly guide to the weight room. By Alyssa Ages Alyssa Ages is a competitive strongwoman athlete and a former personal trainer, but ...

Are machines better for building muscle, or are free weights, like dumbbells, superior? It’s a debate that’s as old as the gym itself. There are benefits for both and cons, and now a new (albeit small ...

SO YOU'VE DECIDED it's time to get in shape and start lifting weights. That's great—taking the first step and making a choice to start a new routine is the only way you can make a change. How exactly ...

If you want to get stronger or build muscle, at some point you’re going to need to lift heavier weights. After all, strength results hinge on your ability to progressively overload your muscles, ...

I'm a Fitness & Nutrition writer for CNET who enjoys reviewing the latest fitness gadgets, testing out activewear and sneakers, as well as debunking wellness/fitness myths. In my free time I enjoy ...

Choosing the right dumbbell weight is not just a matter of preference—it’s a strategic decision that directly impacts your fitness journey. This selection process is deeply personal, shaped by your ...

Every part of life has its lingo, and the gym is no exception. We’ve collected a list of the lifting-related words that most often confuse beginners, so read on to learn what you might be missing. A ...