Workout Tips: Exercise Machines

Rage Against the Machines

When it comes to strength training, using dumbbells—or your own body weight—may be your smartest sculpting move
By Jessica Girdwain womenshealth
 

(Wo)man vs. Machine

Rage Against the Machines // woman doing triceps dips on a bench © Munetaka Tokuyama

Image: Munetaka Tokuyama

You spend a lot of time sitting each day—at work, in the car, on the couch. But in the weight room? That's the last place you should be parking your butt! (Search: Health risks of sitting)

Still, many women hop from one exercise machine to the next. The problem: "Many machines isolate one muscle, which means you burn fewer calories and work less muscle," says Mike Boyle, owner of Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning gym in Boston. Not only that, but it can also be tough to achieve proper alignment since many machines are still designed primarily for men.

Next time you hit the gym, steer clear of the following four machines and sub in our replacement exercises instead.

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