Barbells, dumbbells and machines are not as different as they appear on the surface. They all apply external load to the body with the goal of making the trainee stronger. You can get stronger, you can get more jacked and you can change the shape of your body with any one or combination of those tools.

Based on factors like your skill level, your goals, what equipment you have access to, your access to a coach, etc, you may be better using one training tool over another, or using them in various degrees.

I unpack that in this article so you can make best use of your time in the gym!

Accessory exercises are included in a powerlifting program to foster the outcome of lifting the maximum load possible in each of the powerlifts. To get better at powerlifting, some may think that all you need to do is squat, bench and deadlift, repeat forever. However this is not the case. While performing the SBD is valuable for improving at them and they are certainly an important part of your program, when performed exclusively they will inhibit your powerlifting performance. That is because they are not the best tools for developing technique, building muscle, nor reducing injury risk. And so, we include other exercises in our program.

I believe that it is extremely important for a lifter to understand why a certain exercise has been included in their program. When a lifter understands the purpose of an exercise, they can execute the exercise in such a way that it achieves that purpose. Furthermore, psychologically they will also have much more buy in to their program when they understand how it is working to shuttle them towards their goals.