Why do so many ladies not lift?
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codsterlaing95 wrote: »I think I see about equal numbers of men and women on weights/cardio at my gym - I think that "women just do cardio" thing is pretty outdated and I don't think I know anyone who thinks that way.
I do a bit of strength stuff twice a week because I know it's good for me but I don't enjoy it at all, but I mostly run, and I've found that running has done just fine giving me the body I want, no need for lifting heavy. But I'm not sitting around judging the people who prefer to lift just because my goals are about lowering my half-marathon time instead of setting a new bench PR. Neither activity is "better" than the other IMO.
This is not true. Guys at my gym barely do any cardio and if they do, it's always sprints and high intensity stuff. It's predominately guys in the weight room. I honestly find treadmilling to be boring, but to each their own.
It's not true at your gym. That doesn't mean it's not true in other gyms. I see an equal number of women and men lifting and an equal number of men and women on the cardio equipment.
Why do you care what women do in the gym?0 -
I lift occasionally, but I mainly workout because I enjoy it, and I just enjoy cardio more. I mainly lift to strengthen my legs, so that I am injured less when I run, and to strengthen my arms since swimming can't do that alone.
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Many women lift here
I don't lift, I don't want to. I lift myself and have no interest in weights
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codsterlaing95 wrote: »I think I see about equal numbers of men and women on weights/cardio at my gym - I think that "women just do cardio" thing is pretty outdated and I don't think I know anyone who thinks that way.
I do a bit of strength stuff twice a week because I know it's good for me but I don't enjoy it at all, but I mostly run, and I've found that running has done just fine giving me the body I want, no need for lifting heavy. But I'm not sitting around judging the people who prefer to lift just because my goals are about lowering my half-marathon time instead of setting a new bench PR. Neither activity is "better" than the other IMO.
This is not true. Guys at my gym barely do any cardio and if they do, it's always sprints and high intensity stuff. It's predominately guys in the weight room. I honestly find treadmilling to be boring, but to each their own.
It's not true at your gym. That doesn't mean it's not true in other gyms. I see an equal number of women and men lifting and an equal number of men and women on the cardio equipment.
Why do you care what women do in the gym?
I'm just genuinely curious. Didn't mean to make this sound misogynistic.0 -
It seems like there are a lot of generalizations in this thread.
I'm sure there are some women who don't lift, or don't lift heavy, because of some misconceptions about how bulky they might get. But there are plenty of other reasons as well, just as there are plenty of women who do lift, and I don't entirely understand why anyone is concerned with what exercise people choose to do or not do.
I prefer cardio because I like how cardio makes me feel. I don't particularly enjoy cardio or running but I really don't enjoy lifting. I still do some of it, and I do a lot of body weight exercises like squats, lunges, push-ups, etc. so I think I get some strength related training. But I mostly do what makes me feel good and what I dread less. Doing an entire hour or however long workout just focused on lifting does not appeal to me even a little bit.0 -
Why I don't lift is I am unsure of many things. What routine do I use? What weight should I start at? I don't want people to see me fail when I am lifting. **My goal for the next year is to incorporate lifting into my daily routine.0
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Honestly, my biggest fear is/was bad form. There are only a few things I do with free weights because I know how to do it, but the things I'm not sure about I tend to stay away from. I'm not afraid of getting bulky, I love my little muscles and want them a little bigger, so I use the machines and always make sure to add weight every week or two...or three.0
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Why the stereotype here?
I'll be honest, i'm kind of getting tired of this generalization coupled with the fact that women *must* lift weights if they want to be "cool, fit, attractive" and so on. It's perpetuated on MyFitnessPal so much that it's borderline ridiculous.
I personally lift weights because it's something i ENJOY doing. Lifting weights isn't a requirement for all women, hell not even men. If someone can find an activity that they enjoy and can maintain for life, why s##t all over it because it's not the same as yours?
If some woman prefers to dance, to run, to swim, to play tennis, to do WHATEVER, why is she barred from the *cool kids club*? I'm just saying.
Let's not even get into the fact not not everyone wants to look like a bodybuilder or a fitness model.0 -
codsterlaing95 wrote: »I think I see about equal numbers of men and women on weights/cardio at my gym - I think that "women just do cardio" thing is pretty outdated and I don't think I know anyone who thinks that way.
I do a bit of strength stuff twice a week because I know it's good for me but I don't enjoy it at all, but I mostly run, and I've found that running has done just fine giving me the body I want, no need for lifting heavy. But I'm not sitting around judging the people who prefer to lift just because my goals are about lowering my half-marathon time instead of setting a new bench PR. Neither activity is "better" than the other IMO.
This is not true. Guys at my gym barely do any cardio and if they do, it's always sprints and high intensity stuff. It's predominately guys in the weight room. I honestly find treadmilling to be boring, but to each their own.
Um, I said "at MY gym"....so yes, it is true. I didn't say for everyone, just from what I see in my own gym and among people I know.0 -
Some women don't like to lift. It's just not something they're in to. I have a friend who basically just does cardio and P90X. She doesn't like the gym so she does what she can do -- and LIKES -- at home.
As for women who don't "lift heavy" . . . who cares what they choose to do? Sure there are some women out there who don't lift heavy because they're under the misconception that they'll "get huge" if they do. There are also those women out there who:- Might be doing something different. Sometimes I switch it up and go from heavy weight/low reps to light weight/high reps
- They could be nursing an injury. I have a bum shoulder that acts up every now and then so when I do shoulder exercises -- and some chest exercises -- I have to go light or else I run the risk of re-injuring it
- They could be a newbie. You can't expect someone who is just getting in to lifting to pick up 100 pounds and throw it around.
And in the long run, what does it matter what someone else is doing unless it directly effects you.0 -
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The 100% unvarnished reason I didn't start lifting until I did? It never occurred to me. It's not like I considered it as an option (or not an option) and decided against it, it just never entered my mind. Once it did, I was like "Oh, I should try that," and I've been lifting since._nicolemarie_ wrote: »Just a question for ladies who are lifting: Do you generally go to the gym alone? What about a spotter? Or is the weight generally not so high as to need a spotter?
I go alone. My gym has equipment with safety bars that prevent the bar from falling on you even if you drop it, so no spotters needed.
Edit: except for the overhead press. If I have a catastrophic failure on that one and don't get out of the way fast enough it's going to come down on my head. I try not to fail on the overhead press.0 -
CarlydogsMom wrote: »I think it's a result of a lot of factors, with one general tendency: it's easier to not lift. Lifting is new, different, a more technical thing than walking/running on a treadmill or elliptical, and basically an "unknown" to many women.
This site reflects a cross-section of the world, right? Many people on here, as in real life, want to know the easiest way to do something quickly. We all--on some level--are geared towards finding the easiest way to do something (be it losing weight or some other thing) quickly. I think people approach weight loss in two main camps: 1) I want to lose weight, lose it fast, get it done; and 2) I want to make a life change into a healthy lifestyle that will be permanent. Sometimes you start in #1 and end up in #2.
Those in the second camp tend to explore various ways to accomplish that goal--and often, weight lifting is something that you find as you move through this experience. Then, you get into that "confirmation bias." You start to see weight-lifting all around you--you notice more magazines, or commercials, or the gym area you never pay attention to; and you ask questions on this forum on how to start. I can't even count how many discussion threads on here repeat the exact same questions: how do I get into weight lifting? How do I get flat abs? etc etc--when all you have to do is a search in this thread to find a zillion responses. But it's not noticed beforehand because your mind didn't have "lift weights" on its radar.
I'm rattling on, I'm not done with my morning coffee yet. But I think it's more mental than anything else, and all of the other factors (myth of looking bulky, fear of weight room, etc) all play into one's general tendency to not want to break open mental blinders and look for something new and different.
But this does not apply to lifting only. One could also ask: why aren't more people swimming, playing soccer, learning tae kwon do, doing yoga, skiing? The possibilities when it comes to exercise are endless.
This forum is actually proof that lifting is one of the most popular beginner's routines. What is the usual beginner to beginner advice here? Lift.
I think there's a common issue on this site with confusing the "everyone should do some form of resistance exercise" part of the general recommendation to incorporate both cardio and resistance exercise with "everyone should lift".
Plus, there's always an unconscious bias that whatever you (general you) are doing and are happy with is the best and every one else ought to give it a try.0 -
_nicolemarie_ wrote: »Just a question for ladies who are lifting: Do you generally go to the gym alone? What about a spotter? Or is the weight generally not so high as to need a spotter?
I go alone. I run three week cycles and often the weight isn't up to 85% of my max until the third week. I will ask for a spot on bench and some heavy dumbbell bench for sure. I'm usually fine with squats because of the safety bars
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_nicolemarie_ wrote: »Just a question for ladies who are lifting: Do you generally go to the gym alone? What about a spotter? Or is the weight generally not so high as to need a spotter?
I go to the gym alone and workout without a partner. The downside of this is that I am limited in the amount of weight that I can lift because I don't have a spotter. On the other hand, and due to my size, age, and join problems, a big increase in weight is not possible. The good thing is that I do my own routine without having to worry about somebody else. I am now taking a personal TRX class with a trainer, once a week. I like the results and I love the kick ash feeling that the routine provides; and I still lift the rest of the week, and take fitness classes, and do some cardio.
And commenting in the OP: I like lifting weights, more than cardio but it's not for everybody, regardless of age or gender (my husband hates it and find it boring), and it's not the only way to get or stay in shape either. People has to do what works for them, and people needs to stop wondering why the rest of the population doesn't lift, what color are the DB that they use, how much they squat-or not- (OMG no squatting???), or cycle or swim or walk or run.0 -
I don't have access to a gym or money for equipment. I don't know how to lift weights. I don't have hours to spend on a treadmill. Walking, dancing, doing exercise videos are easy and cheap. I don't have to spend time learning much or need special equipment.
I don't care about my body composition much. I mostly exercise to burn calories and manage stress.0 -
_nicolemarie_ wrote: »Just a question for ladies who are lifting: Do you generally go to the gym alone? What about a spotter? Or is the weight generally not so high as to need a spotter?
I go alone. When I really think I'm going to fail and need a spotter, I ask someone at the gym to spot me...and they always do, willingly. Working SL 5X5s. 180 squat, 125 pound bench, 185 pound deadlift, 80 pound OHP and 115 pound rows.0 -
_nicolemarie_ wrote: »Just a question for ladies who are lifting: Do you generally go to the gym alone? What about a spotter? Or is the weight generally not so high as to need a spotter?
I go alone and don't need a spotter because of safety bars in the rack. I do lift heavy though. Doing SL and squatted 160 lbs and deadlifted 150 lbs today at 135 lbs body weight. Sometimes I ask for a spotter for bench but with 5x5 you aren't lifting your 1RM.0 -
codsterlaing95 wrote: »I think I see about equal numbers of men and women on weights/cardio at my gym - I think that "women just do cardio" thing is pretty outdated and I don't think I know anyone who thinks that way.
I do a bit of strength stuff twice a week because I know it's good for me but I don't enjoy it at all, but I mostly run, and I've found that running has done just fine giving me the body I want, no need for lifting heavy. But I'm not sitting around judging the people who prefer to lift just because my goals are about lowering my half-marathon time instead of setting a new bench PR. Neither activity is "better" than the other IMO.
This is not true. Guys at my gym barely do any cardio and if they do, it's always sprints and high intensity stuff. It's predominately guys in the weight room. I honestly find treadmilling to be boring, but to each their own.
And treadmill is the only form of cardio?0 -
rainbowbow wrote: »Why the stereotype here?
I'll be honest, i'm kind of getting tired of this generalization coupled with the fact that women *must* lift weights if they want to be "cool, fit, attractive" and so on. It's perpetuated on MyFitnessPal so much that it's borderline ridiculous.
I personally lift weights because it's something i ENJOY doing. Lifting weights isn't a requirement for all women, hell not even men. If someone can find an activity that they enjoy and can maintain for life, why s##t all over it because it's not the same as yours?
If some woman prefers to dance, to run, to swim, to play tennis, to do WHATEVER, why is she barred from the *cool kids club*? I'm just saying.
Let's not even get into the fact not not everyone wants to look like a bodybuilder or a fitness model.
Well said.0 -
_nicolemarie_ wrote: »Just a question for ladies who are lifting: Do you generally go to the gym alone? What about a spotter? Or is the weight generally not so high as to need a spotter?
I lift at home alone, no spotter. I have squat stands, not a rack, and use a pair of sawhorses as my safeties. I've failed lifts two times and both times I pretty much knew it was going to happen but tried them anyway. If I didn't have the safeties I wouldn't have even attempted them. In my experience, it is pretty easy to know when I'm not going to make it before I even start a rep.
While this is generally true for me too (knowing when I won't make it), it doesn't mean you always know. I did 175lbx5 bench 3 workouts ago, went to do 177.5lbx5 last workout and got the first set in. The 2nd set I didn't even make it past 2 reps. While I wasn't feeling 100% and I knew I was pushing it, the nail in the coffin was my shoulder moved on the bench. You can't always predict a failure or you may push yourself that day, so it is better safe than sorry.
Either use safeties, or practice the proper technique to bail with a low weight, so you can do it with a higher weight if the situation ever arises. I bought a half rack specifically so I could set the weight down instead of chuck it on the floor or have to roll from under it.0 -
Reason #4378: some of the failure modes associated with lifting heavy seem pretty damn catastrophic0
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In real life in my area, I would be willing to bet that the number of women who actually do some kind of consistent (relatively) heavy lifting may be 2/10 at best. I know plenty of women who generally stick to the treadmill or outdoor walking/running.
There have been plenty of reasons given why the numbers are low (at least in some circles/areas.)0 -
Reason #4378: some of the failure modes associated with lifting heavy seem pretty damn catastrophic
If you use the safety bars or a spotter it is pretty safe. I lifted for a little more than a year before I had to stop because I became deathly ill (not due to lifting) and had to quit for 9 months before restarting 2 months ago from the beginning and I have only failed a squat in my entire time lifting and nothing happened other than some embarrassment because of the safety bars.0 -
singingflutelady wrote: »Reason #4378: some of the failure modes associated with lifting heavy seem pretty damn catastrophic
If you use the safety bars or a spotter it is pretty safe. I lifted for a little more than a year before I had to stop because I became deathly ill (not due to lifting) and had to quit for 9 months before restarting 2 months ago from the beginning and I have only failed a squat in my entire time lifting and nothing happened other than some embarrassment because of the safety bars.
I used the safety bars while I was squatting for the first time last week and I'm so happy I finally did. It wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. In fact, it was like nothing even happen. The weight was on my back, then there was a little click as I put it down. The guy next to me didn't even notice.
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Probably nobody noticed but it was a dramatic fail because I was exhausted and bent too far forward.0
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CarlydogsMom wrote: »I think it's a result of a lot of factors, with one general tendency: it's easier to not lift. Lifting is new, different, a more technical thing than walking/running on a treadmill or elliptical, and basically an "unknown" to many women.
This site reflects a cross-section of the world, right? Many people on here, as in real life, want to know the easiest way to do something quickly. We all--on some level--are geared towards finding the easiest way to do something (be it losing weight or some other thing) quickly. I think people approach weight loss in two main camps: 1) I want to lose weight, lose it fast, get it done; and 2) I want to make a life change into a healthy lifestyle that will be permanent. Sometimes you start in #1 and end up in #2.
Those in the second camp tend to explore various ways to accomplish that goal--and often, weight lifting is something that you find as you move through this experience. Then, you get into that "confirmation bias." You start to see weight-lifting all around you--you notice more magazines, or commercials, or the gym area you never pay attention to; and you ask questions on this forum on how to start. I can't even count how many discussion threads on here repeat the exact same questions: how do I get into weight lifting? How do I get flat abs? etc etc--when all you have to do is a search in this thread to find a zillion responses. But it's not noticed beforehand because your mind didn't have "lift weights" on its radar.
I'm rattling on, I'm not done with my morning coffee yet. But I think it's more mental than anything else, and all of the other factors (myth of looking bulky, fear of weight room, etc) all play into one's general tendency to not want to break open mental blinders and look for something new and different.
But this does not apply to lifting only. One could also ask: why aren't more people swimming, playing soccer, learning tae kwon do, doing yoga, skiing? The possibilities when it comes to exercise are endless.
This forum is actually proof that lifting is one of the most popular beginner's routines. What is the usual beginner to beginner advice here? Lift.
I don't disagree, rather agree that "this" does not apply just to lifting. It's the phenomenon of taking off mental blinders and exploring. The beginner asking for advice is taking off their mental blinders and exploring new things--just so happens lifting is mentioned here a lot because there are lots of lifters. But the question was about weightlifting, so instead of covering every single example of exercise known to man, I used lifting.
Example, my weight loss progression. Started tracking calories here, being in deficit. In the forums, I would thoroughly read the Success Stories and Recipes almost daily. Then, as my food choices changed, I avidly read the Food & Nutrition ones as well. I would skim the Fitness & Exercise ones, but what I mostly saw when scanning the thread titles were the various "XXX 30-day Challenge" and would ignore the entire category.
Then, after I lost my desired weight, I started into more of a fitness focus. I always knew weight/resistance training was good for you but only then did I enter into that world. Took a chance on joining a gym and getting a trainer, who, fortunately, was totally keen on getting this 50+ year old woman into compound barbell lifting. All of a sudden, it's like a whole new world opened up. I saw weight-lifting information everywhere, noticed the "HALP! Lifting made me SUPAH bulky" and other threads for the first time, and became a daily reader of the Fitness & Exercise discussion pages. Weight-lifting threads were everywhere! It's not like everything changed, there were probably the same number of weight-lifting "things" out there, it's just that my brain started picking up on them because I started focusing on that particular thing.
I bet it'd be similar if I picked up swimming, or yoga. The idea enters your mind, and confirmation bias solidifies it. But you have to let it enter your mind first--whatever exercise it may be. Letting something enter your mind is a process of taking off those mental blinders and exploring new things. That's our "beginner" who asks questions on this forum. Good for them!_nicolemarie_ wrote: »Just a question for ladies who are lifting: Do you generally go to the gym alone? What about a spotter? Or is the weight generally not so high as to need a spotter?
Started with a trainer 3x per week, so a trainer was with me most of the time I lifted in the beginning. Then for six months I was on my own, and go with a gym partner, my neighbor, one day a week and 2-3 times on my own. The day she went with me, we'd use that day for the lifts that needed spotting (mostly trying for new numbers on benchpress). Now, I have a trainer once per week, my neighbor once per week, and my own thing once per week. It's a nice balance. I really only need a spotter sometimes for benchpress new weights, and I like my trainer watching over my form for deadlifts. I have a few weak spots due to herniated discs and nerve damage on my right side that weakens that side. If I didn't have ANYONE, I'd ask for a spot on bench, and then do rack pulls instead of deadlifts. Pretty much everything else I'm ok on my own.0 -
to a large extent, i think it's about exposure. males tend to be exposed to lifting at a fairly young age whereas women aren't. most of the women i know who lift do so because they were involved in athletics that required them to get stronger and that was their exposure...i think relative to men that is a much smaller group. this lack of exposure also breeds misconceptions...and really, the industry at large doesn't help matter much.
i do know quite a few female lifters, but i know far more who do their resistance training in classes and "boot camp" type of things and circuit training vs traditional "heavy" strength training. i'm totally cool with that...i do believe resistance training is pretty essential to general fitness and overall health...but i don't believe that it has to be "heavy" to be viable...hell, i don't lift "heavy" all of the time as I tend to work in a variety of rep ranges in 6-8 week cycles.
i do think "heavy" gets overplayed on MFP as the only way to do it...but it really depends on where you're coming from and what your goals are overall...if i lifted "heavy" all of the time i wouldn't have much left for cycling or running.0 -
codsterlaing95 wrote: »I think I see about equal numbers of men and women on weights/cardio at my gym - I think that "women just do cardio" thing is pretty outdated and I don't think I know anyone who thinks that way.
I do a bit of strength stuff twice a week because I know it's good for me but I don't enjoy it at all, but I mostly run, and I've found that running has done just fine giving me the body I want, no need for lifting heavy. But I'm not sitting around judging the people who prefer to lift just because my goals are about lowering my half-marathon time instead of setting a new bench PR. Neither activity is "better" than the other IMO.
This is not true. Guys at my gym barely do any cardio and if they do, it's always sprints and high intensity stuff. It's predominately guys in the weight room. I honestly find treadmilling to be boring, but to each their own.
It's not true for YOUR gym.
Your OP is not true for MY gym. I see as many women lifting weights as I do men at both of the local gyms I've been to.
ETA - Oops. Did not see this post before I responded. LOLcodsterlaing95 wrote: »I think I see about equal numbers of men and women on weights/cardio at my gym - I think that "women just do cardio" thing is pretty outdated and I don't think I know anyone who thinks that way.
I do a bit of strength stuff twice a week because I know it's good for me but I don't enjoy it at all, but I mostly run, and I've found that running has done just fine giving me the body I want, no need for lifting heavy. But I'm not sitting around judging the people who prefer to lift just because my goals are about lowering my half-marathon time instead of setting a new bench PR. Neither activity is "better" than the other IMO.
This is not true. Guys at my gym barely do any cardio and if they do, it's always sprints and high intensity stuff. It's predominately guys in the weight room. I honestly find treadmilling to be boring, but to each their own.
It's not true at your gym. That doesn't mean it's not true in other gyms. I see an equal number of women and men lifting and an equal number of men and women on the cardio equipment.
Why do you care what women do in the gym?
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codsterlaing95 wrote: »I think I see about equal numbers of men and women on weights/cardio at my gym - I think that "women just do cardio" thing is pretty outdated and I don't think I know anyone who thinks that way.
I do a bit of strength stuff twice a week because I know it's good for me but I don't enjoy it at all, but I mostly run, and I've found that running has done just fine giving me the body I want, no need for lifting heavy. But I'm not sitting around judging the people who prefer to lift just because my goals are about lowering my half-marathon time instead of setting a new bench PR. Neither activity is "better" than the other IMO.
This is not true. Guys at my gym barely do any cardio and if they do, it's always sprints and high intensity stuff. It's predominately guys in the weight room. I honestly find treadmilling to be boring, but to each their own.
they could be doing cardio elsewhere...it is exceedingly rare that i do cardio in the gym...the only reason i go to the gym is to lift...but i also ride about 80+ miles per week or so. if your only contact with me was at the gym, it would be easy to assume that i do no cardio...but i do quite a bit actually.0
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