Interesting thread on weight training with machines or free weights. Basically do whichever you enjoy the most.
Ya pretty heavy article. 
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The difference can be huge, free weights don’t cost you anything, machines likely do!
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I started a year ago with the machines at the gym. It’s very easy to get started that way. Since I’ve added some kettlebell and the barbell for bench press. I’ve also played around with the trap bar deadlift. The time it takes to setup the plates still slightly annoys me. 
I’ll never put a barbell on my back for a squat. My legs are way stronger than the rest of my body from years of cycling and it makes zero sense to put 250 pounds on my back. And lately I’ve been reading that since cycling is a single leg exercise, that maybe single leg squats and lunges with dumbells or kettlebells may be a better exercise for cycling.
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When I used to go to the gyms it was a hassle to get time on the squat racks. Granted it was a YMCA with a small weight room with one squat rack and 1 smith machine. So I’d end up doing leg presses or some dumbbell leg exercise. Now I just use dumbbells and resistance bands at home. I’m half tempted to join planet fitness for their leg machines
i don’t have x so I can’t see this but for hypertrophy I’d agree that it probably doens’t matter.
but for carry-over to real life, for strengthening balance and stabilizing muscle and tissues…not to mention machines often involve two limbs moving a weight where you can be going 55%/45%.
you do a barbell back squat and you’re working every muscle in your body. leg press….eh…it’s nice but it’s just legs. you do a barbell bicep curl, you’re working your core just to hold yourself up…yes a machine might be nice to get a smoother angle on that…and for hypertrophy it’s probably better. but i’m doing the free weight all day…as in my real life I lift things without it being on a machine.
I dunno.
machines are basically a scam in my eyes to sell gym memberships. a perfect gym would have a big floor, a pullup bar, and a bunch of rocks of different sizes. hard to sell a membership to that though.
machines are nice for bodybuilding and maybe rehab. no way are machines superior or equal to free weights.
(I would consider a cable machine to be much better than most machines)
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From the actual study itself
Conclusion: No differences were detected in the direct comparison of strength, jump performance and muscle hypertrophy. Current body of evidence indicates that strength changes are specific to the training modality, and the choice between free-weights and machines are down to individual preferences and goals.
I much prefer free weights vs machines and feel like you get a lot more benefit. I would recommend getting instruction and work on flexibility to be able to properly lift free weights….especially deadlifts and back squats. There are so many benefits from building a strong core / posterior chain you get from both back squatting and deadlifting that will help with cycling. I don’t think you get the same benefit from machines since you don’t have to stabilize the weight as much.
I used to ride a lot and had a lot of back issues / IT band issues due to muscle imbalances. I then spent a good 7 years just lifting consistently and not riding as much. I switched back a few years ago and have been riding a bunch. I ride a lot more today than 10 years ago and have zero back issues or IT band issues today like I used to have. I directly correlate this to all the lifting I did and building a very strong core and posterior chain.
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