Not Hating, Why Do Women Struggle With The Gym?

cosmic8o8

I struggle with the gym because I hate it. Why do I hate it? Because I'm lazy and I hate exercise. That pretty much sums it up.

ub3long2m3

I wanted to respond without reading other comments. We do hate the gym. For me it's a matter of choice. There was a time when I would run to the gym during lunch and after work at night. At least 4 hours a day 4 days a week and ran on the weekend. That was at least 9 years ago. When attempting to be consistent again the only thing that can keep me in the gym regularly is the pool. The atmosphere no longer works for me. I just want to work out and leave. Not interested in what others are doing just don't hold the machines up. (smile). Someone mentioned that women compare themselves to others, well that may be true on one hand, however, on the other the gym is suppose to be a starting point for adapting a more physically fit life style yet overweight clients tend to be shunned and overlook. Personal trainers will approach someone who is clearly physically fit to solicited new clients. In all honesty the last thing an overweight person wants to see or hear is pointing and giggling. Imagine the courage it takes just to build up to changing up and actually coming into the gym. Not to mention that someone that is 100lbs overweight with bad knees and ankles does not need a trainer telling them they are not working hard enough or don't want to lose weight and feel better just because they will not let them work them into a fit of exhaustion during a workout. I’m overweight I love exercise although my joints are working against me on all ends. But the gym is no longer and maybe has never been a “kinder and gentler” environment for those who are not already in “supermodel” shape.

Otterluv

There are generally as many women as men in the weights section of my gym. They are a variety of ages and body types.

I love the gym, it allows me to to what I need to do to become the best me I can be. I'm sure that I'm quite the sight to behold when I'm lifting: short fat woman in pigtails, lifting gloves, a running skirt, rainbow striped knee highs, and converse allstars. But, I really don't care.

Lots of men hate the gym as well, it's not a gender issue.

DashDeV

I struggle with it because I get gassy when I lift and don't want to have to hold it in. I would rather lift in my basement and fart whenever I need to.

redheaddee

I was on the "boys" side of the gym yesterday, admiring the EOD unit, the Natl Guard guys, and several other fine sets of shoulders, and wondering why the hell every woman on the planet is not here? The view is freaking spectacular.

Melissa22G

I believe it's because of magazines and media endorsing stupid broscience methods to losing weight and attaining a shape. And it starts young.

I've noticed that girls in middle school are trying to abstain from doing physical fitness (some due to sweating, messing up their hair, or because puberty is making it harder for them) and don't know if it carries on through high school. Personally, except for female athletes, I've never known any girl growing up that just went to the gym to lift and get stronger.

It's changing now though. May take another decade or so for some to see that the resistance training really is the ticket to a better body and not the crazy BS diets and scams that are still being passed around.

It's true, all true. I actually had to check and see that someone without boobs wrote this.

stef_monster

I've only ever belonged to one gym in my life. It was called Snap Fitness. It was quite small and not terribly fancy. They had a really good variety of equipment. It was spectacularly clean and seemed to attract mostly people who genuinely wanted to get into shape. Most of the time, I felt like I was the youngest person there (at 22-23 years old). I never had any creepers that I knew of, and there were no screaming/ grunting people. My only gripe was the boot camp class they had a few times per week, where they did circuits out in the open areas. There were many near misses.

I freaking loved it. Now, the closest one to me is about 20 minutes away, and the round trip makes it almost not worth it.

rich347

I some women struggle just as much as some men do, its not a gender thing. Its about dedication and wanting to achieve a lifetime of happiness.

ILoveBreakfast671

Girls that strictly do cardio and don't squat at all make me depressed. Then they go in the restroom, take a side shot or back shot with their head looking at the camera and caption says "Just worked out!"

Sad...

GetNew81

Currently, I'm shopping around for a gym to join. I desperately need to start lifting! However, I am terrified of the weight room for only two reasons: body image issues and lack of knowledge about the machines, strength routines and proper form. (Cost is also a factor for me, personally. I don't make a lot of money and gym memberships are costly.)

But I'm willing to put all that aside in order to get to the weight off (again). But some women are paralyzed at the thought of entering a gym for those same reasons.

skinnyinnotime

Girls that strictly do cardio and don't squat at all make me depressed. Then they go in the restroom, take a side shot or back shot with their head looking at the camera and caption says "Just worked out!"

Sad...

Lol!

TheGymGypsy

The guys at my gym actually make fun of me when I'm in there. A group of them copy whatever exercise I'm doing with the same weight I am using and loudly describe how light and easy it is. Sorry that I'm a beginner!! But despite that I still show up and do my best. I may only be squatting 85 and benching 65, but at least I am trying.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

amylite

There are PLENTY of women don't struggle with the gym.

^^^ this

ILoveBreakfast671

The guys at my gym actually make fun of me when I'm in there. A group of them copy whatever exercise I'm doing with the same weight I am using and loudly describe how light and easy it is. Sorry that I'm a beginner!! But despite that I still show up and do my best. I may only be squatting 85 and benching 65, but at least I am trying.

Pick the biggest loudest roid raging neanderthal in the gym to tell those kids to stfu. He wont say no.

StarChanger

I love the gym. Especially because it's at the Navy base and full of awesome, top-o-the line equipment. I hate that they have crappy hours (THANK YOU SEQUESTER).

I LOVE my home gym, even better.

Idreamoflean

Gyms really can be intimidating for women as all the weight sections normally have groups of guys who all seem to know each other and have lived in the free weights area for years. That said, I'm a 32 year old woman and really want to get definition so I do use that area now. I've even had a couple of guys come over and point out if 've got dodgy form etc for a couple of things and rather than it be embarrassing it was really helpful, so I say ladies - go over there and ask these guys for some direction. Happy lifting :-)

LBNOakland

When you come to a gym, and you're not in shape, you get dissed a lot.
People sneer at you, class leaders tell you you should lose weight before you show up, etc.
Doesn't make for a conducive environment for workouts.
They just want your money anyway, and don't give a crap about you.
I've used gyms when in shape and not in shape, so I know the dif.

WOW! You are giving your money to the wrong person then!! I love both of my gyms! I didn't feel dissed or maybe I was focusing too hard and didn't notice. Regardless, the regulars kept to themselves and left me alone. Once they saw I wasn't just a New Year's Resolution attendee but was sticking to it, they befriended me. Especially when they saw me leave my cardio comfort zone and wander over to the weights!

My suggestion to anyone who can afford it is to hire a personal trainer. They will help you with the right form and function. Working with them gives you almost immediate acceptance from the regulars. I write all of our workouts down so I can use them again when I no longer want to pay a trainer. I love mine so much, that may never happen though!!

MsEndomorph

The guys at my gym actually make fun of me when I'm in there. A group of them copy whatever exercise I'm doing with the same weight I am using and loudly describe how light and easy it is. Sorry that I'm a beginner!! But despite that I still show up and do my best. I may only be squatting 85 and benching 65, but at least I am trying.

Pick the biggest loudest roid raging neanderthal in the gym to tell those kids to stfu. He wont say no.

Totally behind this idea!

amylite

I love the gym, I love lifting heavy weights (powerlifter, when competing I was 450/275/385).

In my experience, with the women I have personally known, its NOT about not wanting to get big, or too muscular....its about not wanting to make the effort. It's hard. It's uncomfortable. It's not anonymous. It's dirty. And its much easier to say "I don't want to get muscular, its not attractive."

Yogi_Carl

I struggle with the concept that anyone who chooses not to work out in a gym is in some way struggling with the gym. The gym is one tiny option among many approaches to maintenance of strength, correct weight and fitness.

Some folks just don't feel drawn to it.

LBNOakland

The guys at my gym actually make fun of me when I'm in there. A group of them copy whatever exercise I'm doing with the same weight I am using and loudly describe how light and easy it is. Sorry that I'm a beginner!! But despite that I still show up and do my best. I may only be squatting 85 and benching 65, but at least I am trying.

Pick the biggest loudest roid raging neanderthal in the gym to tell those kids to stfu. He wont say no.

I Agree!! Juveniles!! :grumble: I cannot beleive people act that way. I guess I am blessed with some supportive gym friends!

Keep going!! I started at 35 pound dead lift. I am up to 185 pounds as of last night! One of the teenagers was watching me lift. He said, "Ms. Linda, when I was sitting in your 3rd grade sunday school class, never in a million years would I have thought I would watch you dead lift 185 pounds!" He was excited for me. I told him I wished I had been lifting back then!!

hannamarie88

For me it is a whole lot having no idea what to do. I've never belonged to a gym. Never had a personal trainer. I have no idea what to do with the weights or machines (meaning weight machines, def know how to use the cardio stuff, just prefer to go run outside). I have a gym in my apartment complex and I went there a few times and just felt silly and without knowledge. Currently I'm doing two fitness programs where I am instructed what to do and I don't have to go in the gym to do them. I also find myself feeling judged in such a small confined space -- but that's probably all in my head.

TheGymGypsy

The guys at my gym actually make fun of me when I'm in there. A group of them copy whatever exercise I'm doing with the same weight I am using and loudly describe how light and easy it is. Sorry that I'm a beginner!! But despite that I still show up and do my best. I may only be squatting 85 and benching 65, but at least I am trying.

Pick the biggest loudest roid raging neanderthal in the gym to tell those kids to stfu. He wont say no.

Totally behind this idea!

Why didn't I think of this? Will have to give this a shot next time.

traceyjj

I've been going to my gym for almost a year now. It wasnt until I started training with a personal trainer that I went in the "weight room" Mainly because I had never seen another woman go in there. I'm still quite a lot overweight, and being paranoid I just thought all the men would judge me as a fat girl lifting, or not help me as they all seem to know each other. I've been going in the weight room for 6 weeks now, and I overheard on of the men talking to my trainer saying something like "shes doing well isnt she" while I was getting ready for my final set. It gave me a huge confidence boost. Not enough to venture in there by myself YET... but a few more weeks, and a bit more weight on those bars, and I think I'll bite the bullet (when its quiet LOL)

mantium999

What are your generalizations based off of???? When I go to the gym I see MORE women than men working out and working out HARD. No self image issues etc. I believe you are NOT HATING but you are entirely oblivious to reality when it comes to women and the gym. Could be because you are a man and you are too concerned with your own self image and only paying attention to the other men that are in the gym to compare yourself to.

Could also be the time you go to the gym is when ALL of the hard working women are home raising their families/kids etc.
Might I suggest you study your generalization further by going to the gym at various times throughout the day and actually pay attention to how many women are in there busting *kitten*.

I know many men who have way more "issues" about going to the gym than I do women!

Considering how many honest responses this thread has received, it would appear that it is you who has an issue with stigmas and stereotypical assumptions toward the opposite sex. My wife has always been very active, background as a dancer and athlete, and absolutely despises the gym, likely for many of the same reasons other women here have mentioned. Though if you were to ask her she would have difficulty explaining in as good of a manner as others here have.

TheCaren

I hate exercising. Plain and simple.

zyxst

I don't hate the gym. I hate people and they are usually found in the gym.

Cp731

I struggle with it because I get gassy when I lift and don't want to have to hold it in. I would rather lift in my basement and fart whenever I need to.

LOL.....



p.s. woman don't have to hit the gym to get a strength training workout. Its called the great outdoors.

Laststand2011

I don't like the mirrors, don't like the crowds, don't being the only morbidly obese one in the room... etc. So, I go with invisible blinders on, look away from the mirrors, go when I think it will be the least crowded...