💪 7 Gym Machines to Steer Clear Of

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Welcome to The Ripped Report! Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

• Find out which machines you should avoid at the gym

• Can bodybuilder Wesley Vissers turn things around?

• Try Lee Haney’s legendary back workout

TRAINING 

7 Gym Machines to Avoid 

Free weights aren't the only path to muscle mass. Specific gym machines can be equally, if not more, effective for bulking up. They offer a beginner-friendly option, reduce the risk of injuries, and isolate the target muscle group. However, it's crucial to note that not all gym equipment is created equal, and some machines should be avoided altogether. We've identified seven machines that are best left unused.

Take the leg press machine as an example. Despite its popularity, there are better choices for leg development. While it allows for heavy lifting, it imposes unnecessary strain on your lower back and restricts your range of motion. Discover why we recommend steering clear of these machines and what exercises you should do instead to achieve better results.

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BODYBUILDING

Vissers’ Fall

2024 Arnold Classic Physique champ Wesley Vissers dropped in the ranks at the 2024 Olympia and fell to seventh at this year’s Arnold Classic. Struggling to master posing and lower body symmetry, Vissers now finds himself in a critical off-season.

Vissers trained at the iconic Bev Francis Powerhouse Gym in New York in mid-May, receiving comprehensive posing critiques from Steve Weinberger, the head Mr. Olympia judge. Find out what Weinberger told Vissers to work on if he hopes to make it back to the top of the podium.

TRAINING 

Haney’s Back-Building Blueprint 

Building back muscle is an achievement, but sculpting it to the extent of winning eight Mr. Olympia titles is extraordinary. Lee Haney achieved this feat, crafting one of the most remarkable backs in the history of bodybuilding. His strategy, encapsulated by the mantra “stimulate, don’t annihilate,” optimized his gym sessions for maximum efficiency on back day.

Rather than complicating his routine with an extensive array of exercises targeting every conceivable back muscle fiber, Haney’s regimen was elegantly simple. Armed with just a barbell, weight plates, and a cable machine, he constructed a back that remains legendary in bodybuilding circles.

His routine was comprised of three to four sets across five key exercises, including the T-bar row, maintaining reps within the widely endorsed hypertrophy range of six to 12. While the total of 18 sets across these fundamental compound back exercises might seem high for the average lifter, there’s a back progression plan tailored for those who might consider Haney’s volume too ambitious (or not ambitious enough). 

THE DROP SET

• Eight-time Ms. Figure Olympia Cydney Gillon may have stepped away from the stage as a competitor, but her impact remains profound. Read our exclusive interview with this world-class competitor and find out what’s next for her career.

• Your lower back shouldn’t limit your potential in the gym. Try the bench-supported row for serious lat gains.

• Six athletes qualified for the 2025 Olympia at this weekend’s Legion Sports Fest Pro. See who took home the victories.

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