Affective response to acute resistance exercise: a comparison among machines and free weights

This study aimed at investigating enjoyment, affective states (affective valence and perceived activation), and perceived exertion during acute resistance exercise with machines or free weights. Thirty recreationally strength-trained males performed two training sessions on 2 separate days using a descending pyramid training system, one performed with three machines (chest press, shoulder press machine and leg press) and the other with three free weight exercises (bench press, front military press and squat). The Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, the Borg Scale for Rating of Perceived Exertion, the Feeling Scale, and the Felt Arousal Scale were administered at the end of each session. Analyses revealed higher scores on all the variables when participants exercised with free weights (p