Originally Posted by
Kyle Aaron
Every exercise has benefits and risks during its performance, and benefits and risks after it's performed. Notice the distinction: we have lives outside the gym, we have to look at the results of a particular exercise outside the gym, too.
Yes, use of free weights have risks while exercising compared to machines. However, by improving your balance and strength, they reduce risks during out-of-gym activity, such as sports. Taking the small risk accepted in the gym, and adding to it the reduction of risk outside the gym, the net result is a benefit.
This of course assumes a healthy young adult performing the exercises with good form; not always a reasonable assumption.