Just for totaly information, I'm a very big fan of the nautilus machines at my gym. I started my weightlifting carrer with a home Soloflex machine (which I highly recommend and still use regularly) and then switched to nautilus. I have tried free weights in the past but without a "spotter" I feel totally out of control and like I am putting myself in harms way. There is no doubt that the free weights will give you better results sine you are both having to balance the bar AND lift the weight, but machines like the Soloflex have a floating bar design which simulates this effect quite nicely. Now, while I"m at it......
Whyspers, I finally figured out who you remind me of! I can't remember the actresses name but she was one of the leading roles in the movie "The Boxer" starring Daniel Day Lewis. ....Wait....it's coming through my acohol dazed mind....Emily Watson! That's it! You could be her twin! Okay, enough rejoicing over my renewed mental capacity. Just had to throw that in though.