Best Beginner Workouts With Weight Machines For Women

About

Weight machines are engineered to target specific movements with high stability, making them excellent tools for beginners to safely learn movement patterns while focusing on exertion.

Beginning exercises utilize simple and intuitive equipment with reduced weights, lowering injury risk while allowing individuals to develop a strong foundation in their fitness journey.

While the best exercises generally apply universally, programs tailored for women often incorporate observed preferences as well as adjusted reps and weights based on averages—5’5", 140lbs, 34 years old—though personal abilities may vary.

This approach provides an effective introduction to weight training, fostering confidence and progress regardless of fitness levels.

The 15 Best Beginner Exercises with Weight Machines for Women

Ranked By

Ranked based on Fitbod's internal data set of the most effective exercises. Learn More

  • 1. Hack Squat

    SETS LOGGED
    904,236
    Quadriceps Strength
    95 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Hack Squat Machine
    Hack Squat Machine

    The Hack Squat is a machine-based exercise that helps strengthen your quadriceps. It provides more stability and control than traditional squats with free weights, making it beginner-friendly.

    How to do it

    The Hack Squat is a machine-based exercise that helps strengthen your quadriceps. It provides more stability and control than traditional squats with free weights, making it beginner-friendly.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 2. Leg Extension

    SETS LOGGED
    5,383,971
    Quadriceps Strength
    100 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Leg Extension Machine
    Leg Extension Machine

    Leg Extensions are a great exercise for strengthening your quadriceps muscles. Using a machine, this exercise helps you focus on your leg muscles while providing stability. However, be cautious as it can put stress on your knees, so use light weights and control your movements.

    How to do it

    Leg Extensions are a great exercise for strengthening your quadriceps muscles. Using a machine, this exercise helps you focus on your leg muscles while providing stability. However, be cautious as it can put stress on your knees, so use light weights and control your movements.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 3. Lying Hamstrings Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    2,368,667
    Hamstrings Strength
    97 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Leg Curl Machine
    Leg Curl Machine

    The Lying Hamstring Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings using a machine. It is effective for building muscle and strength in the lower body, while providing stability throughout the movement.

    How to do it

    The Lying Hamstring Curl is an exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings using a machine. It is effective for building muscle and strength in the lower body, while providing stability throughout the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 4. Machine Row

    SETS LOGGED
    1,784,270
    Back Strength
    97 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Row Machine
    Row Machine

    The Machine Row is a great exercise for working on your back muscles. Using a machine helps you maintain stability and control, making it perfect for beginners to practice the seated row technique.

    How to do it

    The Machine Row is a great exercise for working on your back muscles. Using a machine helps you maintain stability and control, making it perfect for beginners to practice the seated row technique.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 5. Seated Leg Curl

    SETS LOGGED
    3,535,105
    Hamstrings Strength
    99 mScore
    Hamstrings
    Photo of Leg Curl Machine
    Leg Curl Machine

    The Seated Leg Curl is a machine exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings. It helps build muscle mass by isolating these muscles, making it a good choice for lower body workouts.

    How to do it

    The Seated Leg Curl is a machine exercise that focuses on strengthening the hamstrings. It helps build muscle mass by isolating these muscles, making it a good choice for lower body workouts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    40lbs
    2
    8reps
    40lbs
    3
    8reps
    40lbs
  • 6. Smith Machine Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    922,042
    Chest Strength
    66 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine
    Photo of Flat Bench
    Flat Bench

    The Smith Machine Bench Press is a chest exercise that works your triceps and shoulders too. The Smith Machine helps keep the movement steady, making it easier to focus on properly performing the exercise.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Bench Press is a chest exercise that works your triceps and shoulders too. The Smith Machine helps keep the movement steady, making it easier to focus on properly performing the exercise.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 7. Smith Machine Bent Over Row

    SETS LOGGED
    865,614
    Back Strength
    87 mScore
    Back
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Bent Over Row is an exercise that targets the back muscles using a Smith Machine for added stability. It helps beginners improve their form and strength while performing the row movement.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Bent Over Row is an exercise that targets the back muscles using a Smith Machine for added stability. It helps beginners improve their form and strength while performing the row movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs
  • 8. Smith Machine Incline Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    747,394
    Chest Strength
    92 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine

    The Smith Machine Incline Bench Press is a chest exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It offers stability, making it ideal for beginners who want to focus on their form and strength without worrying about balance.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Incline Bench Press is a chest exercise that targets the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It offers stability, making it ideal for beginners who want to focus on their form and strength without worrying about balance.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 9. Glute Kickback Machine

    SETS LOGGED
    1,405,344
    Glutes Strength
    99 mScore
    Glutes
    Photo of Glute Kickback Machine
    Glute Kickback Machine

    The Glute Kickback Machine helps strengthen your glutes using a machine for added resistance. This exercise gives you better control and stability while allowing you to focus on the movement without worrying about balancing.

    How to do it

    The Glute Kickback Machine helps strengthen your glutes using a machine for added resistance. This exercise gives you better control and stability while allowing you to focus on the movement without worrying about balancing.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    35lbs
    2
    8reps
    35lbs
    3
    8reps
    35lbs
  • 10. Machine Bench Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,758,222
    Chest Strength
    68 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Bench Press Machine
    Bench Press Machine

    The Machine Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners to strengthen the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It uses a fixed range of motion, making it easier to focus on pushing rather than balancing.

    How to do it

    The Machine Bench Press is a great exercise for beginners to strengthen the chest, shoulders, and triceps. It uses a fixed range of motion, making it easier to focus on pushing rather than balancing.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 11. Machine Fly

    SETS LOGGED
    3,127,998
    Chest Strength
    97 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Fly Machine
    Fly Machine

    The Machine Fly is an exercise that targets your chest and works your shoulders. It uses a machine for stability, making it easier for beginners to learn the movement safely and effectively.

    How to do it

    The Machine Fly is an exercise that targets your chest and works your shoulders. It uses a machine for stability, making it easier for beginners to learn the movement safely and effectively.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    30lbs
    2
    8reps
    30lbs
    3
    8reps
    30lbs
  • 12. Machine Lateral Raise

    SETS LOGGED
    561,098
    Shoulders Strength
    92 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Shoulder Shrug Machine
    Shoulder Shrug Machine

    The Machine Lateral Raise is a shoulder exercise done on a machine that provides support and stability. It helps you focus on strengthening your shoulders in a controlled way.

    How to do it

    The Machine Lateral Raise is a shoulder exercise done on a machine that provides support and stability. It helps you focus on strengthening your shoulders in a controlled way.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    20lbs
    2
    8reps
    20lbs
    3
    8reps
    20lbs
  • 13. Machine Leg Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,842,456
    Quadriceps Strength
    98 mScore
    Quadriceps
    Photo of Leg Press Machine
    Leg Press Machine

    The Machine Leg Press is a strength exercise that targets the quadriceps and helps build muscle. It is performed using a leg press machine, which supports your body as you push weight with your legs.

    How to do it

    The Machine Leg Press is a strength exercise that targets the quadriceps and helps build muscle. It is performed using a leg press machine, which supports your body as you push weight with your legs.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    65lbs
    2
    8reps
    65lbs
    3
    8reps
    65lbs
  • 14. Machine Shoulder Press

    SETS LOGGED
    1,196,498
    Shoulders Strength
    94 mScore
    Shoulders
    Photo of Shoulder Press Machine
    Shoulder Press Machine

    The Machine Shoulder Press is a safe and effective exercise that targets your shoulders using a machine. It helps you build strength while providing stability, making it ideal for beginners to learn the movement.

    How to do it

    The Machine Shoulder Press is a safe and effective exercise that targets your shoulders using a machine. It helps you build strength while providing stability, making it ideal for beginners to learn the movement.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    2
    8reps
    22.5lbs
    3
    8reps
    22.5lbs
  • 15. Smith Machine Decline Press

    SETS LOGGED
    121,517
    Chest Strength
    87 mScore
    Chest
    Photo of Smith Machine
    Smith Machine
    Photo of Decline Bench
    Decline Bench

    The Smith Machine Decline Press is a safe exercise that strengthens the lower chest, shoulders, and triceps. It offers stability and support, making it ideal for beginners to practice proper form during their workouts.

    How to do it

    The Smith Machine Decline Press is a safe exercise that strengthens the lower chest, shoulders, and triceps. It offers stability and support, making it ideal for beginners to practice proper form during their workouts.

    Sets, Reps, Weight
    1
    8reps
    25lbs
    2
    8reps
    25lbs
    3
    8reps
    25lbs

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