The 5 Best Machines for Women

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4 Mistakes Not to Make

Don't forget to adjust the machines to fit your body. Keeping the seat too high or too low or placing your hands or feet in the wrong position not only makes the exercise less effective, but it can also put you at risk for injury.
Don't focus only on problem spots. Concentrating on just your butt, abs, or thighs and ignoring areas like your back, chest, or hips will make your body look imbalanced while also setting you up for injuries.
Don't work too hard. If your arms are so sore you can't hug your pillow, or if your quads ache for days going down a flight of stairs, it's time to back off and go with either fewer reps or less resistance.
Don't do the same routine for more than a month at a time. Your muscles will be as bored as your mind -- and you'll stop seeing results. Surprise your body by adding a new exercise at least every four weeks.

Next: Home Gym Options

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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