The 5 Best Machines for Women

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Make yourself a regular on this equipment and you'll speed up your metabolism while sculpting sexy muscles.

By Liz Neporent; Photographs by Chris Fanning

The 5 Best Gym Machines

Begin by doing one set on each machine, using a weight you can lift between 8 and 15 times. If you can breeze through all the repetitions, go slightly heavier; if you're shaking after the first few reps, lower the amount of weight. Take a 30-second break (no more!) between each exercise to give your body adequate time to recover. Aim to do the workout two or three times a week. After two weeks, do two sets on each machine; after one month, challenge yourself. Promise: no bulky muscles.

The Payoff

You can bump up your metabolism by nearly 20 percent for at least two hours after your workout.
Studies show that circuit training twice a week may lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health.
It'll put you in a better mood. One recent study found that women who regularly lifted weights felt healthier and had a more positive body image.
A lean, sexy body!

Next: 1. Cable Tower

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cheryldelaney11 wrote:

i have a knee that grinds when I go down or up steps... I will obviously avoid stair climber...but which is better on knee...bike or elliptical? I have been doing the bike that is low..not the standard position...any suggestions?

1/20/2013 06:34:24 AM Report Abuse

cunspooki wrote:

I think as the article says you should not do the same excersizes over and over. So mixing machines and the excersizes you mentioned have strong benefits.

9/4/2010 08:50:00 PM Report Abuse

jillyany wrote:

I've heard conflicting advice on strength training - this article promotes using some weight machines, but I've also heard that using free weights and doing squats, lunges etc without machines is best, because you do work those stabilizing muscles at the same time. Wondering what others have heard or experienced?

4/14/2010 07:06:30 PM Report Abuse