Meet the Author: Jessica Camp

Smith machine squat vs barbell squat? Honestly, they’re good for different reasons. Smith squat is stable and controlled. Barbell squat feels real and full-body. If

Is Smith Machine Bench Press Good? I’d say… yeah, sometimes. Not always—but in the right situation, it’s actually pretty useful. I mean, that’s not what

Honestly, I used to skip the smith machine overhead press.Felt like cheating. Fixed path? No core? Not “real” training. I was into free weights. Barbells.

Rowing machine alternative — I needed one, badly. I didn’t have a rower, and I thought that meant no real back workout. Or no cardio.

How to use rowing machine? I had no clue the first time. Sat down, strapped my feet, grabbed the handle… then froze. No idea what

Preacher curl vs bicep curl — it’s a question almost everyone runs into at some point, especially when you’re working with machines at the gym.

Seated cable bicep curl is one of those moves I come back to when my arms just aren’t growing. I’d been doing curls for weeks—barbells,

How to use assisted pull up machine? I used to wonder the same thing. Pull-ups looked cool—but I just couldn’t do one. Not even half.

Why can’t I do a pull-up? No really, I’m asking — because I’ve tried. Like, multiple times. Grabbed the bar. Held my breath. Pulled with

How to do more pull ups? Yep. I’ve typed that into Google more times than I want to admit. Honestly, I just wanted to do

Chest press vs bench press— they both train your chest, but they’re not the same thing. The bench press is a free weight exercise. You

Finding a solid glute hyperextension alternative can be frustrating.The machine sounds great — until it’s missing, awkward, or always taken.And if you’re training at home?

Cable glute kickbacks sound simple—but once you’re actually standing there with that ankle strap, it’s a whole mess. You’re adjusting the cable, trying not to

How to do a glute kickback — sounds easy. But let’s be honest. You kick your leg back… and feel nothing. No burn. No glute

Hip thrust alternative exercises were exactly what I needed when I got tired of the same old glute routine. At first, hip thrust machines gave

How to do hip thrusts on smith machine became my go-to solution when I just couldn’t stand the pelvic pain from using a barbell anymore.

Shoulder press vs overhead press — honestly, they might look the same, but they’re not. The shoulder press is seated and focuses on your front

Shoulder Press Machine— Let’s be real, if you’ve ever dealt with shoulder pain or felt shaky during presses, you get it. I’ve been there—pushing dumbbells

How to do shoulder press seems easy. Push. Lower. Repeat. That’s what I used to think. But my shoulders? Always sore in the wrong way.

Back extension machines are a great way to strengthen your lower back, glutes, and core. Whether you’re just starting to work out or dealing with

Deadlift substitute for back — if deadlifts hurt your lower back, you’re not the only one. Maybe you’ve had an injury. Maybe you just don’t

Can you deadlift on a Smith machine?I used to think that was a dumb question. If it’s not a free barbell, it’s not a real

Pec Deck Fly is honestly one of the best exercises for your pectorals. But here’s the thing – so many people just ignore it. They

Pec Deck Chest Fly was one of those exercises I never took seriously. With so many machines in the gym, I always focused on the

Pec Deck Alternative are essential — because the pec deck machine isn’t always available, and even when it is, it doesn’t work for everyone. A

Lat pulldown vs pull-up — I used to think the difference didn’t matter.They both hit your lats, right? Same basic movement: you pull something toward

How to Improve Bench Press—I used to think it was just about pushing harder. I figured if I kept trying, I’d eventually break through. But

When I first heard about using the Smith machine for back workouts, I was a little hesitant and even skeptical. After all, I always thought

Six months ago, I was stuck. I’d been trying all the usual exercises to build inner chest, yet nothing seemed to work. Sure, my chest

I trained my biceps every week — dumbbells, cables, curls, all of it. I tracked my sets, added weight, and pushed hard.But no matter how

Glute isolation workouts are what most people are missing — especially if you’ve been training hard but still don’t see real changes in your glutes.

For a lot of lifters, the hack squat machine weight is more confusing than it looks. It seems simple — load up some plates, push

Tricep Pushdown Alternatives aren’t just for when the machine’s taken — they’re a smart backup when the gym’s packed, you’re working out at home, or

The seated calf raise machine doesn’t get much attention — but it should. If your calves haven’t grown in months, it’s probably because you’ve only

The glute push back machine is specifically designed to target and isolate the glutes, the major muscles responsible for hip extension and overall lower body

The pin loaded machine press is an essential tool in strength training, providing a safe and controlled way to target multiple muscle groups. This machine

Strengthening your calves is essential for improving overall fitness, as well as preventing injuries. The calves play a vital role in movement, providing support for

Training abs is essential for building core strength, improving posture, and supporting overall fitness. A strong core enhances performance in other exercises and helps prevent