Since the invention of the barbell, free weights have long been considered the best for building muscle and strength. Machines? Those were for beginners, rehab, or finishing off a muscle after the real work.
Today, the barbell’s crown might be slipping.
Many well-equipped commercial gyms now have Pendulum squats, Arsenal Strength rows, converging chest presses, and other machines that look like they belong in a NASA training facility.
Modern designs feature sophisticated resistance curves and adjustable movement paths, letting lifters challenge their muscles without worrying about anything but the lift.
But before you put down the barbell…
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