We have a weight machine.... but I would prefer the one Debbie is talking about. The "rope" thing that pulls the weight up and down gets hung up and its hard to get working again...not to mention upsetting to have to stop working out. Also I don't think you're as likely to get hurt on the band one like you can on the weights. I friend of ours ripped his biceps completely loose doing a machine like our...it makes me very cautious to say the least.