The problem with machines is that they don't work your entire body and you can injure yourself quite easily on them!
If you lift some dumbbells you are working your whole body, which means you get more bang for your buck. In fact, you can work your abs without doing crunches or planks this way. Two days after I had done some HEAVY lifting...my abs were sore and I had not specifically targeted my abs at all!!
My favorite thing to do is deadlift—it works just about every part of your body in one move.
Don't be afraid to lift in the free weights section of the gym
And ignore anyone who tries to discourage you from lifting heavy because you'll "bulk up." All of the women used to do that to me at my gym, but I ignored them and now they see what weight lifting has done for me and they're all starting to lift more, haha!
I haven't used the book; I just do my own thing. It doesn't matter WHAT program you do—weight training is very good for you!
Read the book and jump on over to the New Rules thread over here
Those folks are very passionate about the program and are seeing results.