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Koni
Koni g Koni
13 Post(s)
13 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: December 12, 2015
Posted

Hey guys,

Here's a question for you all.

Are cable machines a must for real gains?

I ask this, because I've been very lucky with my new work office, which has its own gym. Its incredibly convenient, has a full selection of dumbells, two racks for all my barbell needs, plenty of benches, as well as resistance bands and trx straps. the best part? its an office gym, so its never full, I even get the place to myself quite a lot!

But here's the problem, it has no cable machines or weight machines of any kind. So that means I cant do cable fly's, pushdowns, leg extensions, hamstring curls, cable ab crunches. Any cable stuff.

So my dylema is, do I join my nearest commercial gym? It would likely add a solid 45-60 minutes to my day of getting to and from, changing, and dealing with sharing equipment at peak times.

It comes down to this, is there enough good alternatives to cable exercises that will not sabotage my growth rate?

I value your opinions.

jmboiardi
jmboiardi p John M Boiardi
2.6K Post(s)
2.6K Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Bodybuilding Date Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
Posted By: Koni

Hey guys,

Here's a question for you all.

Are cable machines a must for real gains?

I ask this, because I've been very lucky with my new work office, which has its own gym. Its incredibly convenient, has a full selection of dumbells, two racks for all my barbell needs, plenty of benches, as well as resistance bands and trx straps. the best part? its an office gym, so its never full, I even get the place to myself quite a lot!

But here's the problem, it has no cable machines or weight machines of any kind. So that means I cant do cable fly's, pushdowns, leg extensions, hamstring curls, cable ab crunches. Any cable stuff.

So my dylema is, do I join my nearest commercial gym? It would likely add a solid 45-60 minutes to my day of getting to and from, changing, and dealing with sharing equipment at peak times.

It comes down to this, is there enough good alternatives to cable exercises that will not sabotage my growth rate?

I value your opinions.

The Old School rule of bodybuilding philosophy is ALWAYS choose free weights over machines - including cable machines. Cable machines are great as finisher movements but nothing beats free weights - dumbells and barbells. They develop the target muscle as well as all auxilliary support muscles and let the body move in the path your joints are intended.

 

The only real advantage cable machines have is constant tension thru the motion while targeting the muscle. This is a great addition to an existing free weight routine but not absolutely necessary for maximum muscle development. Be happy your company gym is set-up the way it is as most corporate and hotel gyms are the exact opposite.

 

John

34 years of lifting and nutritional experience and resident "old man" :-) MS Athlete and past Super Hermanite since 2013.
Koni
Koni g Koni
13 Post(s)
13 Post(s) Gender: Male Goal: Gain Muscle Date Joined: December 12, 2015
Posted

Thanks mate, gives me more confidence. I'll have to figure out good alternatives to certain routines though.

muscular strength
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