Should GIRLS do weight training?? in front of guys

natalielismore

Hello,

Okay I'm 18 years old and I've done weight training (light reps, e.g. 10 kg lunge weight) but with more than 800 reps in a single workout (which includes both upper and lower body). Therefore it's high reps and low weight training.

I'm petrified of the weights section at my gym and usually weight train at home. That's because the majority of that section is filled with huge, muscular guys pumping, some with their nostrils flared, teeth clenched. eeeeeeeeeek Anyway I went there yesturday with my light weights (lol I know) but I did enjoy a full body workout which was good. However, I felt so many stares from the guys, which was emphasised by the use of mirrors :O

Therefore, I felt self conscious... I've been to weight training classes so I hope I have good form and stuff, but are they just staring because of the light weights?? And should I train at home instead.. leave that domain to the guys??

What do guys actually think of girls who weight train?
a) ARGHH she's trying to get buff and it's not looking good
b) those weights are light pfft
c) oh a girl who isn't doing cardio, interesting
d) she's trying to hang out with guys
e) that's awesome

Thanks!!

tigersword

E

cadaverousbones

I think they were staring because they are guys and you are a female. I think they are just being perverts.

speedy740

They don't give a crap what u look like, they don't care u are there, just keep lifting seriously they don't really care. Period.

MakePeasNotWar

Can I ask why you are using such low weight that you can do 800 reps in one workout? What are you trying to accomplish? I would think if you switched to heavier weights you would get more benefit in less time.

As far as working out with the guys, I would think that only the meatheads would judge you based on the size weights you are using. And who cares what those guys think? Any guy who's worth knowing would probably be thinking c) or e)

Akijade

Ignore the guys and do your workout. I would think about maybe upping the weight if you can do 800 reps. It's not going to be doing much for you. And don't worry, despite popular believe, you won't get bulky lifting heavier weights.

tiddles_yeah

I always do my weight training (heavy lifting) in front of the guys as the gym

Why should i let what other people may think of me stop me from working out and achieving my goals?

Let them think what they like! Even if im just lifting small weights - hey youve got to start somewhere

I do this for me, not for what other people think

Good luck!

j6o4

I think the girls who weight train like "guys", will have good result and know what they are doing. You don't get big from lifting heavy weights, you get big by eating a lot of calories.

geebusuk

Not much weight listed to use, exercising in front of blokes - they might well be staring because they enjoy the view.

But, lets say they are derisive of what you are doing; so what?

Walk down the street and half the people staring will probably be sneering because you're too pretty/ugly/fat/thin compared to them. Doesn't stop you walking down the street.

I've often been in mostly-female classes I once did a proper aerobics class - got confused because it had the word 'attack' in - I'm sure they were staring because I was a bloke in 'their domain' and looked rather silly failing to do the moves.
I didn't care and have to say, I ached a lot the next day .

Do what you do.
Though, personally, I'd go for heavier weights - even if you're focusing on muscular endurance, I'd have thought strength would also help.
Incidentally, what you describe sounds very like 'body pump' lessons. If your gym has them, worth giving it a look.

And yes, if I see a girl even entering a weight area, I generally think 'awesome' - though now got my own setup, so I generally know them first .

iLOVEbabySARA13

I used to lift pretty heavy, and guys seemed mostly cool about that. Which they should be!

I'd tick off some of them mostly because I was doing full sets with good form and still lifting heavier than them...it was pretty funny though. They'd seem all disgusted. But hey, whatever!

LindseyAlyssa

Any guys I have worked out with or near have either A. Not commented, or B. Thought it was great I wasn't just doing cardio and would readily be there for me if I needed help for spotting or if I wasn't familiar with something. Diversity is a good thing.

And I agree that you should probably (definitely) increase weight if you're doing so many reps. Unless you are training like a pro, you aren't going to get bulky at all. What you're doing is just going to make your fitness progress slower than it needs to be.

parkscs

Obligatory link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBvHbnhl3M8

Booksandbeaches

I lift weights. I go to the "guy's area" of the gym. Who cares if they look. If they want to look let them look. People usually have such short attention spans though they don't look for long. Get your workout and ignore the others. What I find funny are women who look. Once there was a woman who saw me bench pressing and she then asked her boyfriend (husband?) to help her do it too. I thought that was cool.

MsJulielicious

I remember feeling a bit self conscious when I first started out. It was mostly because I had no idea what I was doing.
Just keep going, learn good form, progress as you go and before you know it you won't even notice anyone else is there.
Most of those guys don't really care about anything else other than what they are doing.

delicious_cocktail

1 no one cares
2 e

Raptor_Jesus

Just act like you belong there. (EDIT: Because you do.) Most of them won't care either way. The ones that do you can just ignore.

natalielismore

Not much weight listed to use, exercising in front of blokes - they might well be staring because they enjoy the view.

But, lets say they are derisive of what you are doing; so what?

Walk down the street and half the people staring will probably be sneering because you're too pretty/ugly/fat/thin compared to them. Doesn't stop you walking down the street.

I've often been in mostly-female classes I once did a proper aerobics class - got confused because it had the word 'attack' in - I'm sure they were staring because I was a bloke in 'their domain' and looked rather silly failing to do the moves.
I didn't care and have to say, I ached a lot the next day .

Do what you do.
Though, personally, I'd go for heavier weights - even if you're focusing on muscular endurance, I'd have thought strength would also help.
Incidentally, what you describe sounds very like 'body pump' lessons. If your gym has them, worth giving it a look.

And yes, if I see a girl even entering a weight area, I generally think 'awesome' - though now got my own setup, so I generally know them first .

Did you mean "body attack" referring to your aerobics class?? heeeheeee

hipomix

All I know is you should do whatever you want, people can think lots of stupid things... and that's not having an opinion, that's just being dumb. Just, whenever this happens again, you should just concentrate in what are you doing, I wish I could at least, lift my school bag without crying seriously...

Tropical_Turtle

Why not? Half the time they do not care what you are doing. You are there to do your own thing. Your perceptions are what is holding you back.

unFATuated

I'll nearly guarantee that they aren't thinking about you as much as you think they are. Once you let go of the worry that people (any people) are looking at and judging you, it's SO MUCH EASIER!

I'd probably look into getting a program with some heavier weights/lower reps though. Low weight/high rep isn't going to do a lot for you.

kwb87

I understand how you feel. I'm not a self-conscious person in general but do choose to do most of my weight training at home for the same reason. The gym I go to is very male dominated and there's often groups of lads who take turns on the machines. I go to the gym on my own and I'm pretty new there so still wary that I'm 'in their space' I guess - though I'll get over it at some point

You're training there so good to hear it's not put you off. Keep it up

RECowgill

You have to learn to not care if men look because they will. And the answer is:

E

IronSmasher

Yes girls should.


and perhaps you're more interesting than the floor.

Sabine_Stroehm

You are paying for your gym membership (or college tuition or whatever). Use it how you want.

There is exactly one male regular in my Pilates class. The first time I saw him I thought: oh, I hadn't noticed there aren't more. And then never really thought about him again.
Just do your thing. They are doing theirs.

ETA: be nice, polite. Say hi. I wouldn't flirt though. To me hooking up or meeting someone at the gym is like hooking up (or meeting someone) at work. Uncomfortable after.

PS: You're not a girl. You're a woman. Women rock.

ambiences

Who cares what they think? Do whatever makes you happy.

jjscholar

I would say why not...

It should not matter...

don666car

GUYS WILL "LOOK" ITS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO NOT BUT YOU SHOULD FEEL FREE TO LIFT AS THEY DO PLANT FITNESS IS ALL ABOUT NO "LUNKS" OR JUGEMENT I SEE LOTS OF WOMEN "TLIFTING" AT MY GYM AND THINK NOTING BUT "GOOD FOR THEM" AND POWER TO THEM BEING YOUNG YOU WILL GET MUCH ATTENTION FROM THE YOUNG MALE GUYS BUT AS A DAD I SAY BE A STRONG WOMEN AND NEVER AND I MEAN NEVER FEEL YOU CANT DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO BECAUSE OF WHAT SOMEONE ELSE THINK OR SAYS OR JUST LOOKS AT GO GET THEM YOUNG LADY LIFT ON LIVE STRONG

Springfield1970

Say hi to them and be friendly, you'll see them regularly and it pays to not be a mysterious female. Be one of the guys. Then put your music on and don't look at them - be flattered that they look at you but don't make eye contact and focus on yourself.

There's a lot of hormones flying around! Of course, if there's one you particularly like then ask them to show you how to squat properly. Being in the guys bit does have its benefits.

gmallan

The weight room is there for the benefit of ALL member of the gym, not just the males, not just the people who lift over X amount of weight. You pay the same membership fees and are entitled to the same benefits.

Honestly, they were probably just checking you out and it would have been partly because you were new to the weight area and a novelty. Keep going and they will get used to you being there.

A comment on your routine, make sure you have clear defined goals and do a program that is designed to help you move towards those goals. It's important to know why you are doing what you are doing. Not that you need justify your routine to anyone, but if someone were to approach you in the gym and ask what you were trying to achieve with all those reps, what would your response be? There may be a better way to achieve what you want (and in much less time)

MB_Positif

You need to man up and put your big girl panties on and ignore them no matter what they are thinking. Or...put on a little show for them.

ggxx100

Men are humans, and biologically and neurologically inclined to look at other humans, more specifically women. I wouldn't think too much of it.

Put on your big girl pants and lift weights without paying mind to others around you in the gym.

And what are these muscular creatures thinking as you lift your 4 pound weights around them? Most likely nothing, beyond what rep they're on, the game playing that night, or what their going to eat next. I assure you, every one is more worried and focused on themselves at the gym.

A last tip, keep your headphones in. It lessens the chance of being interrupted or approached in the gym, in my experience. Also add in a mean scowl and don't shower for a few days.