11 Jun Bodyweight Training or Machines?
This question is often quite polarizing, as it tends to divide people with different training styles: yoga, pilates, and calisthenics versus bodybuilding and powerlifting.
As personal trainers, we see this kind of opposition the same way as comparing ice cream and chocolate—why not have both?
The advantage of bodyweight training is that your “training equipment” is always with you, wherever you go. You reduce dependence on external conditions—for example, whether the hotel gym is under renovation. All you need is a bit of floor space and your own body.
The advantage of gym machines is that they are much safer and easier for beginners. For example, a chest press machine allows even someone who cannot yet do push-ups to train effectively. Progression is also very straightforward—you simply move the pin to the next weight stack. With bodyweight exercises, progression often requires more creativity.
However, with bodyweight training, limitations tend to appear sooner, and generating enough training stimulus often requires many repetitions. A bodyweight squat is already accessible for beginners, which means you quickly need to find ways to make it harder. A barbell squat, on the other hand, requires coordination to stabilize the load, engaging not only the legs but also various stabilizing muscles.
Our strong recommendation is not to make an exclusive choice between bodyweight exercises and machines. Use both to your advantage. For example, alternate bench press with push-ups, or leg extensions with jumps. Be versatile and creative.
As personal trainers, we simply see exercises as tools. Every exercise can be used effectively. We are happy to teach you how to train your body in different ways—whether or not you have a gym nearby.