A method for forming a, preferably plate-shaped, workpiece with a forming machine, in particular a bending machine, wherein the forming machine comprises - at least one electromechanical drive with an electrical drive source, - at least one forming tool, the working movement of which is effected by the electromechanical drive, and - at least one braking device, which can be actuated between a released position and a braking position, preferably in the form of a friction brake, for braking and/or blocking the working movement of the forming tool, characterized in that, before a movement phase of the forming tool, the electrical drive source generates a drive torque while the braking device is in the braking position, so that the braking torque of the braking device counteracts the drive torque of the electrical drive source, and the start of the movement phase of the forming tool is triggered by transferring the braking device into the released position or into a position with reduced braking torque, and/or that, during a forming step, the working movement of the forming tool takes place intermittently, wherein the intermittent working movement of the forming tool is effected by an intermittent actuation of the braking device between the released position or position with reduced braking torque and the braking position, and the electrical drive source also generates a drive torque during those phases of the intermittent actuation of the braking device in which the braking device is in the braking position. - at least one electromechanical drive with an electrical drive source, - at least one forming tool, the working movement of which is effected by the electromechanical drive, and - at least one braking device, which can be actuated between a released position and a braking position, preferably in the form of a friction brake, for braking and/or blocking the working movement of the forming tool, characterized in that, before a movement phase of the forming tool, the electrical drive source generates a drive torque while the braking device is in the braking position, so that the braking torque of the braking device counteracts the drive torque of the electrical drive source, and the start of the movement phase of the forming tool is triggered by transferring the braking device into the released position or into a position with reduced braking torque, and/or that, during a forming step, the working movement of the forming tool takes place intermittently, wherein the intermittent working movement of the forming tool is effected by an intermittent actuation of the braking device between the released position or position with reduced braking torque and the braking position, and the electrical drive source also generates a drive torque during those phases of the intermittent actuation of the braking device in which the braking device is in the braking position. that, before a movement phase of the forming tool, the electrical drive source generates a drive torque while the braking device is in the braking position, so that the braking torque of the braking device counteracts the drive torque of the electrical drive source, and the start of the movement phase of the forming tool is triggered by transferring the braking device into the released position or into a position with reduced braking torque, and/or that, during a forming step, the working movement of the forming tool takes place intermittently, wherein the intermittent working movement of the forming tool is effected by an intermittent actuation of the braking device between the released position or position with reduced braking torque and the braking position, and the electrical drive source also generates a drive torque during those phases of the intermittent actuation of the braking device in which the braking device is in the braking position.