I think the biggest pro is machines build confidence. You can adjust the weight freely and you don't need to grab more equipment. You can go up if you're failing or down if you're grinding it out. I neverrr thought i could hit 400lbs on the seated leg press - i doesn't matter that it's "an easier machine", moving over 3x my body weight is insane to me. That has made me feel better approaching a barbell squat because I know somewhere inside me, I am really strong. Don't knock machines even as an advanced level, they really are great for so many reasons. Great video!! I totally agree with you! (Editing cause i just finished it 😊)
Love the video, as I am also a vertically challenged 5-footer. At the gym, I could never fit myself into any of the machines in a way that felt good (arms too short or legs don't reach). Mostly did group classes. But now since being home and setting up my own gym space, I love challenging myself with my free weights and I've invested in heavy dumbbells. I especially like unilateral work to get stronger on my weaker side....so far it is working for me since my fitness goal is always to feel strong and confident.
Great video. My gym experiences haven't been great. My favorite is when they watch you use the machine wrong and don't say anything until you're done lol. So I appreciate seeing how you can get basically the same results at home.
Just make sure it’s not like in my gym where the treadmills are facing a wall and the entire gym is behind you. You’ll never look more lost than walking on a treadmill and turning your head to watch everything behind you
The image of you using a eyelash curler while talking very seriuosly about the cons of an exercise made me laugh histerically. Again, I really love your overall no-nonsense appraoch.♡♡
I don't like the machines they are so boring. I won't consider going back to Planet Fitness and being tempted by the Tootsie Rolls at the front desk not to mention having to pay an annual fee. Love my You Tube no getting dressed or anything just go push play.
As a really bigger girl, I never felt good in gyms + as a novice I didn't know how to use machines, which made be feel I was doing it in vain - and this made me quit the gym very quickly. Your videos really motivated me to slowly start doing something at home and your detailed explanations motivate me as it eliminated that feeling that I am doing it wrong.
You consistently put out great videos that teach me and so many others so much. I don't understand how you have less than 50,000 subscribers. You're so knowledgeable, informative and BS free. Thank you for all the effort you put into your content and I hope your platform continues to grow. I've learnt so much in the months I've been subscribed to you.
I would add in using sliders (or socks on wood floor!) for hamstring activation. This was given to me by a physical therapist after I had hamstring tendonitis (not fun) and it helped me "feel" the muscle better. Just stand and slide one foot slowly back, or to either side slightly (like a curtsy lunge but not as deep) and return - you can hold a weight too but I don't know how much that changes things. This exercise also forces you to confront your imbalances, if you have them (pretty sure we all do!).
Great tip! I am personally traumatized from using sliders to teach "megaformer" workouts virtually at the beginning of the pandemic, so I can't even look at them lol
Yasssssss this is amazing! As much as I'd love to stick to the same solid routine, there're days that I just don't have access to equipment, weights or my body is just not up for it but I still wanna keep my body moving. So thrilled you posted this video. Love seeing all these options ❣️
(Handled) Resistance bands are another alternative one can use at home instead of a machine. I have a set that can be fitted with hand or foot handles and was quite affordable. Sometimes these mimic the physics of a machine better than dumbbells or kettlebells. (Like for hamstring curls, etc.)
Thank you so much for this video! I’m super new at the gym and I like how the weight machines make my workout easier to understand and accomplish, but I also feel like I want to work up to moving beyond them. However it’s pretty daunting for me and your side-by-side video makes me feel like I’m overthinking it and I can absolutely accomplish free weights! This was super helpful and I would totally watch similar videos if you ever feel like you can do this for anymore machines.
Great video, Justina! ☺️ I've recently quit my gym membership and I feel like your arguments support my decision. I also think motivation is a big factor to consider. I have noticed I am more consistent in working out at home, I love working out with free weights, I feel more comfortable at home...etc. ☺️
Very good information! I don’t ever go to a gym, I only work out at home. I do wish I had a bench though… also, love a Zoey Cameo, the video is not complete without her 🥰
My favorite machines are leg extension and aductors. I can really isolate and fire them for my knee stability. For shoulders I like the machine side raise so my hands and wrists can relax.
The only thing i could think of you're missing for inner thighs is the thigh master lol. I can't stand the idea of going to a gym so knowing what we can do at home instead is awesome, thank you!
Great video! I love some of gym machines, esp for training my back but as you stated they are not one size fits all and you lose the ability to challenge your core, your balance etc when you are seated on a machine. I feel they are best suited for ppl who are new to strength training. Would you please do a video sharing your expertise about what types of training are best for older fit adults. Finding information on the best training modalities for fit people over 50 is few and far between ( most information relates to sedentary, frail, older adults with various limitations). I'm talking about older adults who want to train for competitive events like running a 5k or realize that they are not the same physiologically as they were when they were 30 and want to keep training but need guidance regarding intensity, rest...thanks!
@@JustinaErcole Thank you. At 60, even though I've been strength training for 30 years I feel as though I need more recovery time and that some exercises aren't as effective or beneficial as they used to be ( examples: a push up because my wrists are sensitive or oddly enough I cant challenge myself enough with other exercises, say a push press, because if I lift as heavy as I can it causes pain in a supporting area like my neck). Frustrating! Aging isn't easy!
It sounds like you’re simply more in touch with your body! I refrain from giving set in stone plans for “people over x age” because everyone is different. I would rather you identify weaknesses as YOU SPECIFICALLY age (i.e. weak wrists) and deal with it specifically.
@@JustinaErcole Well that would be a problem lol. Mine came with a little thingy that you can thread the band through and then close a door on it. I didn't know it was going to come with it so was a nice bonus
Dear Justina, Thank you so so much for this video. Actually, many of u who do not have the time or the lifestyle to be able to join a gym have to depend on home based fitness videos to build on. I am a regular viewer of your channel and ur guidance has been invaluable in building confidence in me so that at 40 i am now beginning to take up strength training. I somehow love free weights but till now am struggling with even 3 kilo weights at home and a kettle bell pair of 8 kilos each. I would like to know how far can u load your ankle weights in the floor exercise for hamstring and if its safe to do it on a bench with a dumbell between legs as some suggest. Also, do you like leg presses. I think I lack lower body strength and at this age, I am forever fearing for my knees that pain after a few squats.
Hey! So it's impossible for me to tell you how heavy you can load something without me knowing where you're at and what your goals are. In terms of holding a dumbbell between the feet, I don't prefer that because most people don't have enough control to keep the work out of the low back. And in terms of leg presses, I don't go to a gym so I never do them. If you're worried about your knees in squats, I'd recommend going to a physical therapist to get to the root of the issue rather than avoiding using your knees. Hope that helps!
@@JustinaErcole Thanks a ton for getting back. My knees are ok just the fear that I am 20 kilos overweight and that my knees do get sore with lunges is something that keeps me from doing HIIT and also I am 39...so I guess its more fear than anything else. But I will tell u that I have become motivated to move beyond my 3 kilo dumbbells and am now eyeing kettlebells because I feel I am in need of progressive overload.
I think you should identify what “progressive overload” means to you. Is it simply increasing weight? Increasing reps? Sets? Time under tension? Get specific with your goals and you will be able to get more specific answers 😊
I notice I'm often too thin for the unisex machines. I feel like a little ant in there lol. But at the women's only gyms I've been to, I can fit in the machines better. I think when I go back to the gym I'll do mostly free weights.
Aside from the lash curler terrifying me, I love this kind of content and I really enjoy working with free weights. I feel I can actually use my whole body and establish that mind mussel connection in a way that machines don't allow IMO.
I snorted laughing at the 98 degrees line😂 I actually just recently joined a gym and I love the options I have, however I do find myself in their spare weight room doing free weight exercises. I mostly joined it to have an escape from the house every now and then. That and there is a massive pool 😎
I rarely use machines. There are some that you're more likely to hurt yourself on like a leg press or a smitch machine. I do like being able to isolate some muscles because some are harder to activate.
I was thinking of joining a gym and there’s only 2 in my city- one of which is Planet Fitness. Is it worth it? I don’t remember seeing any floor space to do stuff
the point of ab exercises is to train the body to use the core , not just the back muscles. Once we become aware of the abs , we engage thos muscles when doing things like bending over to pick up something to protect the lower back
I think technically the hamstring machine vs a deadlift actually works the hamstrings differently- one in a shortened position, one lengthened. A good at home substitute is putting your feet on a workout ball and curling them in.
Hi great video thankyou 🥰 however am very confused about the whole crunches vs sit-ups. Was told by a physio after lumbar spine problems that full sit-ups are worse for lower back and to never do them so only do crunch movements now but really really miss the full movement as it feels so much better ? Any advice please ? Xx
I mean, at the end of the day I don’t know your injury so listen to your PT. But if you just think about it logically, a crunch is constant lumbar flexion over and over again. A sit up trains you to fully extend through the back, forces you to engage your TVA to resist lumbar hyper extension at the top, and actually mimics something we do daily (sitting up haha). So again, that’s how I view it, but I don’t know your situation so I would stick with what your PT says or at least ask why they want you doing crunches.
This makes me feel better about refusing to go to a gym, because I still don't want to get covid. The one movement pattern I haven't been able to replicate at home is an overhead pull--I need all my doors to close, so I can't install a pull-up bar in my apartment. Any suggestions for how to get that movement pattern in at home without having to drill holes in walls?
You seem to lean more two free weights over machines. I've been working out for 40 years so I'm definitely not a beginner. However, I think that machines are great for building muscles and sculpting your physique. At one point, I was on this "free weights are better" train but if evolved on that.
When you were talking about how machines are not meant for all heights it brought me back working out at the student health center in college. Where I went to school the health center got all of the old football equipment. I am 5'4" and I remember straining to use the machines meant for collegiate football players!
I think the biggest pro is machines build confidence. You can adjust the weight freely and you don't need to grab more equipment. You can go up if you're failing or down if you're grinding it out.
I neverrr thought i could hit 400lbs on the seated leg press - i doesn't matter that it's "an easier machine", moving over 3x my body weight is insane to me. That has made me feel better approaching a barbell squat because I know somewhere inside me, I am really strong.
Don't knock machines even as an advanced level, they really are great for so many reasons.
Great video!! I totally agree with you! (Editing cause i just finished it 😊)
Agreed!
It definitely is convenient especially when you're first starting out.
Love the video, as I am also a vertically challenged 5-footer. At the gym, I could never fit myself into any of the machines in a way that felt good (arms too short or legs don't reach). Mostly did group classes. But now since being home and setting up my own gym space, I love challenging myself with my free weights and I've invested in heavy dumbbells. I especially like unilateral work to get stronger on my weaker side....so far it is working for me since my fitness goal is always to feel strong and confident.
Love this!
Great video. My gym experiences haven't been great. My favorite is when they watch you use the machine wrong and don't say anything until you're done lol. So I appreciate seeing how you can get basically the same results at home.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I love the walk on the treadmill tip....so you don't look lost!
It’s honestly the best!
Just make sure it’s not like in my gym where the treadmills are facing a wall and the entire gym is behind you. You’ll never look more lost than walking on a treadmill and turning your head to watch everything behind you
I would think this is obvious.
“Machines are great for beginners” me confounded cause the visual instructions confuses me 🤣
Haha that’s fair! Not everyone is a visual learner!
The image of you using a eyelash curler while talking very seriuosly about the cons of an exercise made me laugh histerically. Again, I really love your overall no-nonsense appraoch.♡♡
Hahahahhaha probably not my best idea
Please keep doing what you do best and that is be youself. Authenticity is what is lacking online, so never stop doing it your way!!!
I don't like the machines they are so boring. I won't consider going back to Planet Fitness and being tempted by the Tootsie Rolls at the front desk not to mention having to pay an annual fee. Love my You Tube no getting dressed or anything just go push play.
I already need a part two of this video!! Thank youu 💖💖
So glad you enjoyed!
@@JustinaErcole yes, please can you make a series of this with how to replace more gym machines ??
Me too! I’d love a series like this that shows gym machine workouts with dumbbell/free weight variations. So helpful.
As a really bigger girl, I never felt good in gyms + as a novice I didn't know how to use machines, which made be feel I was doing it in vain - and this made me quit the gym very quickly. Your videos really motivated me to slowly start doing something at home and your detailed explanations motivate me as it eliminated that feeling that I am doing it wrong.
So glad you enjoyed!
You consistently put out great videos that teach me and so many others so much. I don't understand how you have less than 50,000 subscribers. You're so knowledgeable, informative and BS free. Thank you for all the effort you put into your content and I hope your platform continues to grow. I've learnt so much in the months I've been subscribed to you.
Aw thank you!
I would add in using sliders (or socks on wood floor!) for hamstring activation. This was given to me by a physical therapist after I had hamstring tendonitis (not fun) and it helped me "feel" the muscle better. Just stand and slide one foot slowly back, or to either side slightly (like a curtsy lunge but not as deep) and return - you can hold a weight too but I don't know how much that changes things. This exercise also forces you to confront your imbalances, if you have them (pretty sure we all do!).
Great tip! I am personally traumatized from using sliders to teach "megaformer" workouts virtually at the beginning of the pandemic, so I can't even look at them lol
Yes to this! I love incorporating my sliders for added challenges!
Yasssssss this is amazing! As much as I'd love to stick to the same solid routine, there're days that I just don't have access to equipment, weights or my body is just not up for it but I still wanna keep my body moving. So thrilled you posted this video. Love seeing all these options ❣️
So glad you enjoyed!
(Handled) Resistance bands are another alternative one can use at home instead of a machine. I have a set that can be fitted with hand or foot handles and was quite affordable. Sometimes these mimic the physics of a machine better than dumbbells or kettlebells. (Like for hamstring curls, etc.)
That’s great!
Sliders are affordable and are great for hamstring curls laying on your back.
Thank you so much for this video! I’m super new at the gym and I like how the weight machines make my workout easier to understand and accomplish, but I also feel like I want to work up to moving beyond them. However it’s pretty daunting for me and your side-by-side video makes me feel like I’m overthinking it and I can absolutely accomplish free weights! This was super helpful and I would totally watch similar videos if you ever feel like you can do this for anymore machines.
Don’t over think it!
You are so informative love your channel ❤️
Great video, Justina! ☺️ I've recently quit my gym membership and I feel like your arguments support my decision. I also think motivation is a big factor to consider. I have noticed I am more consistent in working out at home, I love working out with free weights, I feel more comfortable at home...etc. ☺️
Love that you found something that works for you!
Great video! Very informative and something I've wondered about.
Thank you!
Great video! Thank you
Glad you liked it!
I'm a freeweights girl but the leg curl and leg extensions have been my jam lately with rehabbing injuries.
Love that!
Very good information! I don’t ever go to a gym, I only work out at home. I do wish I had a bench though… also, love a Zoey Cameo, the video is not complete without her 🥰
Hahaha she’s always gotta make a cameo :)
For the hamstring curl on the floor while it's not doing one leg at a time you can lift a dumbbell between your feet for added weight.
I personally find people have a hard time not using their low back when they do both legs, but that's not a bad tip!
@@JustinaErcole yes I concur. You definitely need alot of self awareness to not use your back
I just realized Im watching u so consistent and quite a while that u hit pan on your butter bronzer☺️👆(were watchin’), take care😎
hahahaha it's definitely time for another purchase. Thanks for watching!
My favorite machines are leg extension and aductors. I can really isolate and fire them for my knee stability. For shoulders I like the machine side raise so my hands and wrists can relax.
Love that!
I loved this content. Could you maybe do a part 2 with more machines and examples of exercises that work the same muscles)
Is there a specific exercise or machine you had in mind?
Love free weights and body weight exercises. Great video ‼️
Thanks Roxi!
That was soooo helpful! I would love a part 2 💖
Anything in particular? :)
The only thing i could think of you're missing for inner thighs is the thigh master lol. I can't stand the idea of going to a gym so knowing what we can do at home instead is awesome, thank you!
I actually just bought one for a video 😳😂
How high of an incline were you with the dumbbell incline press ? It looked way high for chest, but better for front delts. Great stuff over all.
Great video. If you can do additional machines at some point that would be great.
Is there one in particular you have a question on?
@@JustinaErcole I’ve been using a couple of upper back machines. No idea what they are called🤷♀️
@@lisaweick4350 By upper back I assume you mean rear delts, mid/low trap, and rhomboids. Any rowing or pulling exercise is a great alternative!
@@JustinaErcole ok great. Thank you!
Great video! I love some of gym machines, esp for training my back but as you stated they are not one size fits all and you lose the ability to challenge your core, your balance etc when you are seated on a machine. I feel they are best suited for ppl who are new to strength training. Would you please do a video sharing your expertise about what types of training are best for older fit adults. Finding information on the best training modalities for fit people over 50 is few and far between ( most information relates to sedentary, frail, older adults with various limitations). I'm talking about older adults who want to train for competitive events like running a 5k or realize that they are not the same physiologically as they were when they were 30 and want to keep training but need guidance regarding intensity, rest...thanks!
Honestly, it’s no different than someone who’s 40 or 30 or 20. As long as you’ve already been strength training, just keep at it!
@@JustinaErcole Thank you. At 60, even though I've been strength training for 30 years I feel as though I need more recovery time and that some exercises aren't as effective or beneficial as they used to be ( examples: a push up because my wrists are sensitive or oddly enough I cant challenge myself enough with other exercises, say a push press, because if I lift as heavy as I can it causes pain in a supporting area like my neck). Frustrating! Aging isn't easy!
It sounds like you’re simply more in touch with your body! I refrain from giving set in stone plans for “people over x age” because everyone is different. I would rather you identify weaknesses as YOU SPECIFICALLY age (i.e. weak wrists) and deal with it specifically.
Ty
You’re welcome!
Would anchoring a resistance band to something and using it instead of ankle weights work for the hamstring curls?
Great video by the way :)
Absolutely! I just don't have anything to anchor onto haha
@@JustinaErcole Well that would be a problem lol. Mine came with a little thingy that you can thread the band through and then close a door on it. I didn't know it was going to come with it so was a nice bonus
Dear Justina,
Thank you so so much for this video. Actually, many of u who do not have the time or the lifestyle to be able to join a gym have to depend on home based fitness videos to build on. I am a regular viewer of your channel and ur guidance has been invaluable in building confidence in me so that at 40 i am now beginning to take up strength training. I somehow love free weights but till now am struggling with even 3 kilo weights at home and a kettle bell pair of 8 kilos each.
I would like to know how far can u load your ankle weights in the floor exercise for hamstring and if its safe to do it on a bench with a dumbell between legs as some suggest. Also, do you like leg presses. I think I lack lower body strength and at this age, I am forever fearing for my knees that pain after a few squats.
Hey! So it's impossible for me to tell you how heavy you can load something without me knowing where you're at and what your goals are. In terms of holding a dumbbell between the feet, I don't prefer that because most people don't have enough control to keep the work out of the low back. And in terms of leg presses, I don't go to a gym so I never do them. If you're worried about your knees in squats, I'd recommend going to a physical therapist to get to the root of the issue rather than avoiding using your knees. Hope that helps!
@@JustinaErcole Thanks a ton for getting back. My knees are ok just the fear that I am 20 kilos overweight and that my knees do get sore with lunges is something that keeps me from doing HIIT and also I am 39...so I guess its more fear than anything else. But I will tell u that I have become motivated to move beyond my 3 kilo dumbbells and am now eyeing kettlebells because I feel I am in need of progressive overload.
I think you should identify what “progressive overload” means to you. Is it simply increasing weight? Increasing reps? Sets? Time under tension? Get specific with your goals and you will be able to get more specific answers 😊
I notice I'm often too thin for the unisex machines. I feel like a little ant in there lol. But at the women's only gyms I've been to, I can fit in the machines better. I think when I go back to the gym I'll do mostly free weights.
Aside from the lash curler terrifying me, I love this kind of content and I really enjoy working with free weights. I feel I can actually use my whole body and establish that mind mussel connection in a way that machines don't allow IMO.
Haha apologies for the lash curler content
I snorted laughing at the 98 degrees line😂 I actually just recently joined a gym and I love the options I have, however I do find myself in their spare weight room doing free weight exercises. I mostly joined it to have an escape from the house every now and then. That and there is a massive pool 😎
Oooh love the pool access!
@@JustinaErcole saaame! It’s nice change on the joints and a great active recovery day!
Your face already looked plenty human and lovely even before the makeup lol. Thank you for all the great grounded advice!
Haha thank you!
I rarely use machines. There are some that you're more likely to hurt yourself on like a leg press or a smitch machine. I do like being able to isolate some muscles because some are harder to activate.
I actually think those are two machines that provide a ton of stability compared to the alternative (like a normal squat rack.)
@@JustinaErcole they do but on the flip side there is a very big chance or back injury from those machines. Basically pros and cons.
I was thinking of joining a gym and there’s only 2 in my city- one of which is Planet Fitness. Is it worth it? I don’t remember seeing any floor space to do stuff
Every gym layout is different, so I would recommend going to look for yourself!
the point of ab exercises is to train the body to use the core , not just the back muscles. Once we become aware of the abs , we engage thos muscles when doing things like bending over to pick up something to protect the lower back
Ok
I think technically the hamstring machine vs a deadlift actually works the hamstrings differently- one in a shortened position, one lengthened. A good at home substitute is putting your feet on a workout ball and curling them in.
That’s basically what I showed with the hamstring curl :)
Hi great video thankyou 🥰 however am very confused about the whole crunches vs sit-ups. Was told by a physio after lumbar spine problems that full sit-ups are worse for lower back and to never do them so only do crunch movements now but really really miss the full movement as it feels so much better ? Any advice please ? Xx
I mean, at the end of the day I don’t know your injury so listen to your PT. But if you just think about it logically, a crunch is constant lumbar flexion over and over again. A sit up trains you to fully extend through the back, forces you to engage your TVA to resist lumbar hyper extension at the top, and actually mimics something we do daily (sitting up haha). So again, that’s how I view it, but I don’t know your situation so I would stick with what your PT says or at least ask why they want you doing crunches.
This makes me feel better about refusing to go to a gym, because I still don't want to get covid. The one movement pattern I haven't been able to replicate at home is an overhead pull--I need all my doors to close, so I can't install a pull-up bar in my apartment. Any suggestions for how to get that movement pattern in at home without having to drill holes in walls?
There are some “over the door” band options out there!
You seem to lean more two free weights over machines. I've been working out for 40 years so I'm definitely not a beginner. However, I think that machines are great for building muscles and sculpting your physique. At one point, I was on this "free weights are better" train but if evolved on that.
I think they're both great! But since most of my clients work out at home, I put most of my emphasis on fee weights :)
♥️
When you were talking about how machines are not meant for all heights it brought me back working out at the student health center in college. Where I went to school the health center got all of the old football equipment. I am 5'4" and I remember straining to use the machines meant for collegiate football players!
Oof I feel ya there!