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What makes for the smoothest resistance curve or lifting experience might be optimal for hypertrophy. But it can be lots of fun to lift heavy things that are built without the polish or sophistication of modern day manufacturing.
Gym equipment manufacturing has had an amazing decade of growth. In addition to the traditional barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells, squat racks, unconventional implements have grown in popularity. These include safety squat bars, trapbars, glute ham stations, eccentric flywheels, airbikes, sprinting machines, back extensions, hack squat machines, pendulum squat machines, sandbags and rucksacks.
To top this off, there have been advances in magnetic resistance and servo-motor based resistance systems. And pulleys have gotten far smoother in the last decade.
I've walked into an old gym twice in the last year. The equipment was from the late-90's. The handles and upholstery were worn. Knurl worn down by time. The pulleys and T-bar rows did not use the smoothest bearings. The pull up bar was far from knurled well or the right thickness. I fully recognise this nostalgia is a personal feeling.
But the workout was FUN! The spaces felt good. Everyone trained hard. And the equipment had heft. Heft is such an under-rated quality in strength training equipment. Something feels right when you pick it up. It is not the most convenient tool to use. But you feel like lifting it. It has an intangible quality that makes it fun. It's like MEH beer with good friends in an old watering hole. There's better beer, food and ambience to be had elsewhere. But sometimes crude is better and necessary.
Magnetic resistance and motor based resistance that adapts to the lift being performed might be the future. Optimal matters for athletes, rehab and recovery. But the fun of lifting is often in just picking up something heavy. And strength training is a necessary, fun inconvenience.