The 5 Best Machines for Women

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1. Cable Tower

Basic move: Biceps Curl
Targets: biceps

If you had to choose just one machine to use at the gym, this is it. That's because the cable tower -- which features several weight stacks, adjustable cables, and a whole bunch of attachments -- offers dozens of exercises to target all of your major muscles. With a mere flick of a clip, you can easily go from doing curls to kickbacks to rows. To work your arms, stand facing one of the low weight stacks and clip a short, mustache-shaped bar onto the end. Grip the bar, placing hands near ends, palms up, arms extended, with hands in front of thighs. Curl bar toward shoulders, keeping elbows close to sides. Lower slowly back to starting position and repeat.

Challenge yourself: Doing a single-handed curl means each arm works harder. Do the move as above, but use a handle attachment, holding the handle in one hand with your opposite hand on your hip or by your side. Complete an equal number of reps on both sides.

Next: 2. Lat Pull-Down

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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