If you lift weights using machines, you'll get stronger on those machines more than if you use free weights—your strength gains depend on what equipment you train with.

Using weight machines for upper-body workouts might help you get stronger faster than using free weights, but for legs, both methods work about the same—maybe because machines make it easier to focus on the muscles without worrying about balance.

If you train using weight machines and then test your strength on machines, you’ll get stronger than if you trained with free weights — but only because the test matches the training. It’s like practicing basketball shots from the free-throw line and then being tested there: you’ll do better than if you practiced elsewhere.

If you lift weights with your own body and free weights, you'll get stronger at doing just that — not necessarily at using machines. And if you train mostly on machines, you'll get better at those machines. Your body learns the exact movement you practice.

When it comes to building upper-body strength, machines might give you a little more gain than free weights, but for your legs, both work about the same.

If you want to get stronger at lifting weights like dumbbells or barbells, training with those same free weights will help you gain more strength than using machines — because your body gets better at the exact movements you practice.