Get lean with weight machines?

Castrofreak

I've heard from some people that machines don't work or work muscle groups poorly. I do cardio (5 min elliptical and then interval training on the rowing machine) for 20 minutes and then weight machines for 20. Am I wasting my time? I was wondering if any of you had gotten lean with weight machines. I'm deathly afraid of the weight room and I avoid it like the plague lol. I'll work my way to it eventually but feel too much like a novice right now.

cgvet37

Machines are better then nothing. The problem with machines though, is the machines balance the weight for you. So you are missing out on all the stabilizer muscles. I would recommend you work up to free weights eventually.

jemhh

cgvet37 wrote: »

Machines are better then nothing. The problem with machines though, is the machines balance the weight for you. So you are missing out on all the stabilizer muscles. I would recommend you work up to free weights eventually.

Agreed.

If you are going to use machines, I suggest aiming to do a well rounded program. Lyle McDonald has a beginner's machine routine at this link. I'd do 2-3 sets of each exercise. (He says 1 set but his program is supposed to be an intro to resistance training with the goal to move to free weights. If you're going to stick with machines for now there's nothing wrong with a couple of more sets.)

* Lyle McDonald's barbell and machine routines - http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/muscle-gain/beginning-weight-training-part-4.html/

kwtilbury

If you're only interested in getting "lean", weights of any kind aren't necessary, just maintain a caloric deficit.

questionfear

kwtilbury wrote: »

If you're only interested in getting "lean", weights of any kind aren't necessary, just maintain a caloric deficit.

Weights still help because they'll help preserve muscle in a deficit. It doesn't help if you lose weight but also lose muscle mass. You're just skinnier and softer.