^^ Totally agree dude, for a beginner it's about those functional exercises. I mean how often do we do knee extension movements in everyday activities compared to squats? Not often unless you take specific sports into account.

Obviously free weights are much more beneficial than machines, but beginner's should take time to learn correct technique and movement patterns with light weights. It's not so much a fear of a ripped tendon but the fear they learn incorrect movements, continue these movements and end up in a bad physical state further down the track.Once there body remembers the pattern (which probaly only take a couple of sessions) they'll generally progress quickly to more challenging weights. All I'm saying is that there are a lot of different variants for different exercises and whilst learning these free weight exercises, machines can be something a beginner can jump straight on to and work to fatigue in the mean time.

No I'm not a trainer yet, but currently studying. I won't pretend to know everything because I don't and you guys are extremely insightful which is why I joined this forum. This is just how I'd personally progress a client.