Examining the effects of machine and free weight exercises on selected physical fitness parameters

This study aimed to examine the effects of machine and free weight exercises on selected physical fitness parameters in young men who have at least 1 year of weight training experience and do not have any medical problems. The research group consists of 10 young male participants who are registered to gyms in different regions of Istanbul. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: 5 people in the machine group and 5 people in the free weight group. In the study, the free weight group applied a lower body training program with various free weight exercises 3 days a week for 8 weeks, while the machine group applied a lower body training program consisting of various machine-based exercises 3 days a week for 8 weeks. Statistical analysis of the data collected in the study was made using the SPSS 26.0 package program, and the Spahiro-Wilk test and skewness and kurtosis tests were checked for normality distribution. Paired Samples T Test was used for comparisons of changes within groups, and Independent Samples T Test was used for comparisons of changes between groups. The significance level was determined as p <0.05. According to the research results, while a significant difference was detected in all parameters in the pre-test and post-test results within the group in the machine and free weight groups, no significant difference was detected in any of the selected parameters in the pre-test and post-test results between the groups.