Expand your workouts, when you’re ready

Q: My fitness center has lots of exercise machines to choose from. When I joined I was shown how to use a circuit line of machines, which I’m comfortable with and really enjoy. I see other members using lots of different machines in one workout. Should I try some other machines or stick with what I know?

A: Although many exercise machines may look different, often they are working the same muscles but in a slightly different way. It is important to remember that more does not mean better. Using more exercise machines does not mean you will see quicker results. How well you perform the exercises and the overall structure of your exercise routine is what will provide the best benefits.

It is common in many fitness facilities to see members move between multiple exercise machines, free weights and resistance bands during their workouts. This may seem exciting, but unless you know WHY they are using all these different types of exercise tools, I would suggest sticking with a routine you can safely perform.

A major reason other members may be moving through a variety of machines is to keep their workouts from becoming tedious or boring. Many exercisers find it difficult to complete the same set of exercises each time they come to the gym and want some variety to keep them interested.

The use of different exercise machines may be necessary when it is time to advance your workout to the next level. There may be certain machines in your fitness center that require you to have developed basic strength and confidence before you can progress to a machine that may require more stability and understanding of your body.

For example, if you told the fitness instructor who designed your initial workout program that you were a beginner and had never used exercise equipment before, he or she most likely chose the exercises you now are performing based on that information. As a beginner, an instructor would have chosen machines that are easy to adjust and maneuver, that would not aggravate any existing injuries and that would not be intimidating. If you are interested in trying new exercise machines, I suggest seeking the advice of a fitness professional to safely teach you how.

There is nothing wrong with learning how to use different exercise equipment, so long as it’s used safely and will help you move toward your fitness goals.