This thread is really not about bike training, but I feel that this forum is one of the best places to ask. I do not want to register on Bodybuilding forums right now.

I want a machine that can help bulk up my muscles. I have dumbbells with slotted weights but do not think that they are really effective. I also do not like to go to the gym because of schedule problems.

When comparing price, maintenance and effectiveness which machines should I buy?
The Free Weight+Cable machine?


Or the Bowflex machine?

How can dumbbells of any sort not be effective if they weight enough? Exercise is moving your muscles repeatedly against sufficient resistance. Dumbbells, barbells, cinderblocks, body weight, springs, rubber bands etc merely provide the resistance. I think most deem free weights generally better for strength and fitness than machines because you need to engage more muscles and actively balance while using them compared to the constrained motions of machines which isolate muscle groups.

Of course if your goal is the ultimate sculpted physique, there may be situations where you want to work on isolated muscles to get them where you want them from an esthetic point of view.

Here's the deal.

You can't get what you want from a machine. Maybe a gym
that has a bunch of machines, but that's a different story.

I've been working out at home.

I have a TRX, and it's better than most machines, not to mention cheaper.
https://www.trxtraining.com/products/trx-home

I also have a bunch of resistance bands that I use a lot.
I have these...
https://www.performbetter.com/webapp/...splayErrorView

But here is something you will like. I take Superbands and cut them so that
they are straps. I then use them to do squats, deadlifts, one leg RDL, etc
https://www.performbetter.com/webapp/...splayErrorView

I like the 1 3/4 size because I hold a few of them at once. Can't do that with
the bigger ones. Get a couple to start.

But what I would suggest first, is joining a gym for a while. Get someone to show
you how to work out. You might find you like gyms, I do. Coincidentally, I signed up
with a gym today.

Here's a couple good books. The first talks about technique. You still need someone to
show you, but this is a good reference for that sort of thing. I find myself checking
it from time to time.
https://www.amazon.com/Insiders-Tell-...tuart+mcrobert

The next one is New Rules. This is a gym rat's book. If you do this, you prob won't do
much else. Much of the time, the workout they have you do will take everything you've got.
But it's one of the best things out there if you want to do bodybuilding.
https://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lift...es+for+lifting

Nick Tumminelo has some good exercises on Youtube.
https://www.youtube.com/user/Performa...31/BYPba3ms9io

Charles Poliquin has some good advice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQS-tXL1CLg

Bar, plates, power cage, bare feet and broken glass.

pushups, squats and dips are free. if body weight is not enough, hold your bike or kids or something heavy.

use old tubes for resistance bands.

save the exercise machine money for more bikes!

Good advice. You won't live long enough to wear out a bar and plates. Also tops the 3 criteria of price, maintenance and effectiveness.

If you have to try one, exercise machines are both plentiful and cheap on craigslist. They are cheap for a reason so don't waste your money buying new.

ftfy

TRX - I got a ripoff for 1/2 price that works great, planks, pushups, pullups, bridges, fitness ball exercises, appropriate weight dumbells, resistance bands (you can do a lot with these)

Here is what I use, but the cage is not necessary, although I have fashioned a pretty good dip bar that mounts on the cage quite easily. (The rectangular pipe leaning against the back wall).