Machines Only: Upper / Lower (4 day)

Build muscle with machines and cables only, no barbell or free weights to learn. Machines build muscle just as well, and they make it easy to push hard safely.

  • Beginner
  • 4 days a week
  • About 40 min
  • Machines and cables
  • Build muscle

All programs

Free in Platesmith. Start this program in the app and it fills in your weights, times your rests and moves the weight up for you. No subscription needed for any program.

Coming soon toiPhone Coming soon toAndroid

How it progresses

Each exercise has a rep range. Stay at the same weight and add reps until every set reaches the top of the range, then add a little weight and work back up.

The workouts

Every exercise can be swapped in the app for one that works the same muscles, so missing equipment never stops you.

Upper A

ExerciseSets × reps
Plate-Loaded Chest Press3 × 8-12
Machine Row3 × 8-12
Machine Shoulder Press3 × 8-12
Lat Pulldown3 × 10-12
Machine Triceps Extension2 × 10-15
Machine Bicep Curl2 × 10-15

Lower A

ExerciseSets × reps
Leg Press3 × 10-12
Seated Leg Curl3 × 10-12
Leg Extension3 × 12-15
Seated Calf Raise3 × 12-15

Upper B

ExerciseSets × reps
Incline Machine Chest Press3 × 8-12
Neutral-Grip Pulldown3 × 8-12
Pec Deck2 × 12-15
Chest-Supported Row3 × 10-12
Machine Lateral Raise3 × 12-15
Rope Pushdown2 × 10-15

Lower B

ExerciseSets × reps
Hack Squat3 × 8-12
Lying Leg Curl3 × 10-12
Machine Hip Thrust3 × 10-12
Hip Abduction Machine2 × 12-20
Leg Press Calf Raise3 × 12-15

Similar programs

General guidance, not medical advice. Start lighter than you think, and check with a doctor first if you have a health condition or injury.