Free Weight Systems
Free weight systems are very popularly used because they are heavy-duty and serve as the bulk of weight-lifting. These systems are so called because of the open use of weights on barbells, usually extremely high-pressure weights, so they target the experienced or professional weightlifters. Another reason these systems are called free weight systems is because many free weight systems, such as the Weider Weight System and the Westside Weight Training System, revolve around developing every muscle and muscle group throughout the body (i.e. entire body development). Not all free systems accommodate specialized exercise in specific areas, though; some deal only with heaving barbells. These systems gauge the muscle groups in the upper body and get them into constant activity.
As for description, all free weight systems are constructed differently, but generally speaking, they all feature some heavy-gage steel frame, some with erector-set-like appearances, others cages representing cages, and still others—like the Weider weight systems—that are incline-decline seats having leg and arm extensions, Ab developers, overhead pulleys, chin-up bars, and lat bars. These systems are designed to work the entire body, so they serve as a full workout in one. The Smith System, although it allies with incline-decline-style benches having leg and arm extensions, primarily are large door-like frames of thick steel with a track on which heavy-load barbells are heaved up and down. The unique thing about this system is the fact they have a safety stop on every level that locks the barbell in the place should a problem occur. This prevents any serious injury from happening to users or those nearby.
The specific types of benches that fall under the category of free weights are basically: spot racks, which are decline or upright and require a spotter to guide lifting; the squat rack, which like the Power rack, is basically a cage in which lifting is conducted, but where the former has a chair for presses, the latter is practiced in standing position; and the press racks feature a flat incline-to-decline (FID) bench for up-lifting barbells or performing lateral dumbbell lifts, among a plethora of other varied free weight exercises.
Among the leading brands of free weight systems, Smith, Westside, Nautilus, and Body Solid focus on heavy lifting, where Weider deals with lighter lifting distributed evenly throughout the body’s entire network of muscular groups. They are all known for one thing, though, and that is ongoing performance.
Regardless of which particular free weight system an individual wants to buy—and this, again, is contingent on a person’s specific physical needs—the workout is quite unquestionably worth the effort, and the results, of course, without criticism.
