I'm not hating at all - I'm just stating that most people in the gyms i go to train arms far more than they do the big body parts and than wonder why they are not growing etc. They are worried about what supps to take, etc, whren in reality, most people would grow like a MOFO if they did more of a caveman workout than a machine or cable based workout.
I have been at this for almost 20 years now and seen everything. I have done track n field events for throwing, bodybuilding events, MMA, etc, and seen so much bullshit over the years. Im 36 now and stronger than I have ever been. I focus on basic lifts - squat, bench, military, deads, bent overs, etc, everything else is secondary.
If you really want to explode, if you are a novice or newbie - just focus on basic lifts and forget the cables and machines. If you are dieting for a show - you do what you have to.
For the long run, basic lifts are what works, and for tris - nothing better than dips or close grip flat bench.
You underestimate machines my friend. At least 50% of all my training is done on machines and my muscles still feel annihilated the next day. It's about intensity, form and heart. Granted, the meat and potatoes of all my muscle groups are still done on free weights but I include machine work FAR more often now than I did in my 20's, and I'm the better for it.
95% of the people you see in any gym will never get anywhere, given free weights, machines or drugs. Their heart just aint in it, hence the lack of progress and inevitable blaming on this or that. I can fuck up my chest just as bad on machines than I could with free weights. Or back, or legs, or arms. As long as there's resistance, there's a chance for muscle being built.
