A method of developing a workout comprising a series of exercises and communicating the workout to a user is disclosed that involves identifying a muscle group to use during a workout, selecting an intensity level for exercising the muscle group, selecting an exercise from a plurality of exercises for exercising the muscle group, selecting a routine from a plurality of routines for performing each of the plurality of exercises at the selected intensity level, each of the plurality of routines comprising a number of repetitions, selecting a resistance level related to the maximum resistance the user was able to manipulate on a first exercise machine, selecting a second exercise machine for performing the selected exercise, and displaying a workout comprising an identification of the second exercise machine, a name of an exercise to be performed on the second exercise machine, a resistance level to be used in performing the named exercise on the second exercise machine, and information relating to the number of repetitions and sets to be performed. A system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.