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<I am 52, in reasonably good shape and have been lifting for approximately 30 years. I have a rotator-cuff injury—no tear. MRI says I need some surgery. I have since developed pain in my other shoulder, both elbows and pretty much both wrists—guess I'm falling apart. Today benching is intensely painful. I know the difference between the right type of pain and the type of pain that warns your body of potential injury. Therefore, I have stopped benching. The gym owner, an avid bodybuilder, encourages me to work out with the machines instead of free weights. I must say the machines do not cause nearly as much of the (bad) pain I was getting with the free weights. However, this type of working out is very hard for me, because I really feel nothing during or after my workout. In your opinion, can good results such as strength and size be maintained and possibly increases be made using mostly machines vs. the GOOD OLE free weights? I recall that years ago Mike Mentzer trained alot with Nautilus equipment and raved about it. I don't know if this was realty or just a paid promotion for and by Nautilus. Dan>

Be strong. Take heart. It's time to give the shoulders, elbows and wrists a rest. They are designed to work hard with proper care and respect. Think of all the stress they undergo workout after workout while we push them beyond their healthy capacity. In me I see it as obsession, insecurity, self-centered-ness, ignorance and meanness. That doesn't make me a bad person; just a poor sap who needs to give his joints some peace while he reconsiders his purposes.

How about light dumbbells, warming up and going moderately heavy... flat and differing levels of incline? Moderate-weight flys supersetted with stiff-arm pullovers of medium weight. The change is smart, recruits new muscles that support the structure as the joints get relief, stimulates novel interest and broadens your training understanding. You'll come back strong and encouraged instead of leaving torn and discouraged. Those impressive numbers will be around for a long time.

The machines work well (Hammer chest press, etc) but get off the heavy trip and commit to moderate with form, pace and supersetting as a substitute for heavy-weight intensity. Not for a day but for the summer... live and learn and grow... nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Mike Mentzer supported Nautilus theories to an extreme with whole-body failure training once a week. I prefer volume training with the basic equipment (weights and cables and some Cybex and Hammer stuff... power training mixed in 3-4 days a month.

See ya... Dave