Originally Posted by
OBoile
I don't think that's something which is universally true. Free weights, or machines, offer the advantage of being able to easily adjust the level of resistance. Body weight exercises generally do not. Body weight exercises are great choices if one's body weight happens to provide a reasonable level of resistance, but that is often not the case. Push ups and pull ups may be too hard for a beginner who is heavy for instance.
Good point. For someone who's severely overweight I'd be better to start off on a machine. But there are modifications that you can make for body weight exercises as well, that can accommodate most people. Push ups on an incline, for example. Doing only the negative for pull ups.