Back when I was seriously entertaining calisthenics instead of training with weight equipment, I ran across some training articles that suggested that if you only train with one exercise in the gym, it should be squats, because squats engage so much of the lower body. And my old friend Chris suggested that although weighted squats are of course ideal, even without weights there's some benefit.

The prohibitive drawbacks are twofold for me though: one, I don't have a workout partner/spotter, and I'm not dicking around with that much free weight solo. Lose control of the bar and you can ruin a foot. Two, I'm not into dicking around with free weights in general; I'm not a "bodybuilder", I'm not spending all day at the gym putting weights on barbells and adjusting collars and all that jib. I'm there to hop on a machine, do my set, and move on to my next station.

Last time I was at the Pubix at Hillsboro and Powerline/Jog Rd, I weighed in at 180#, i.e. down at least 20# from peak in September. Today I noticed my pants are positively gappy in the waist - another inch or 2 off my waist and I might need a new belt. I'm about due for new pants anyway.