> So, I don't discourage people from machines simply because they aren't optimal. Any exercise is better than no exercise. And yeah, things like bench press yo

> So, I don't discourage people from machines simply because they aren't optimal. Any exercise is better than no exercise. And yeah, things like bench press you should ideally have a spotter for. Myself, I stick to the five lifts from Rippetoe's "Starting Strength" (a recommendation I got from HN of all places!), so squats I use a power rack with pins, and overhead press, deadlift and power clean need no spotters. Bench you can do without a spotter if you leave the collars off (just dump the plates on one side, then the other), but most gyms frown on that.