I am the woman in the freeweights section of the gym

baccav

Lots of women using the weight room at Gold's both in Dallas, Atlanta and in Charleston SC. Never saw anyone look at them funny or say anything. Some are in good shape and some are trying to get into shape. I have had and it is rare but have had men (try) to take over my stuff. So if it happens it does to both sexes.

dt3312

I am one of the few women at the gym who use the free weights at the community gym. I am a senior citizen. Every one has been very kind and polite to me. When we both are heading for the same bench, the people have always been nice and offer to let me use it first. At the senior center gym, I am lifting heavier weights than a lot of the men there. Everyone is really nice to me there too.

smithed812

Really appreciate this post. I have always *wanted* to lift, but have always been too nervous. I've been researching SL 5x5 and found a gym to join... The next step is going to be the hardest but I'll just keep this post in the back of my mind

gpoliver

OH! I loved this post! My trainer would NOT let me learn free weights in the "ladys section" of the gym. He said pretty much the same thing. He also said "this isnt about anyone looking at you and judging its about you learning"... and thats what I did. Pretty soon it was like I was just another member working out. I would have guys say general things, and some compliments. Now i appeared to be alot older than these guys so never thought it was creepy or anything, just generally nice compliments or advice or even help sometmes which was AWESOME! One thing I did notice is that these silly girls would come in and try to be "helpless" and it would piss these guys off, and they would talk such smack after these girls left. Made me laugh. They may have had cute little booties, but they were not getting any respect intruding on the guys weightlifitng time!

MrsAllyP

love this! I hate the "ladies section" of the gym because it doesn't have some of the great equipment! I find that if I have my headphones on (or should I say my yurbuds) I find the guys will leave you alone if it appears you can't hear them - headphones on, looking at phone between sets and as long as you don't make girly noises when you drop something they will give you respect. And always ask someone near equipment if they are using it if you think they might be - this way they will give you that same respect! I love the weight area and since I workout in the late evening I find it is all guys and we give nods when we make eye contact with someone we have seen before and I never make it known in the middle of my set that I know a guy is staring - except the one guy who on purpose got on the equipment across from me when I was on the lying leg curl - he didn't even make eye contact with me - he was just staring at what little cleavage was shown since that position it is impossible to have 0 cleavage unless you wear a turtle neck!! After finishing my set I decided to go work my hamstrings on another piece of equipment!

PJPrimrose

I am training my DH to lift weights here in Fort Worth. I haven't done this in so long I had to re-learn a few new things! I had one dufuss give my DH a bit of 'tude about being trained by a woman but after I laughed in his face ,exaggerating his Southern accent for fun, he decided to leave us alone to do our thing. He was the ONLY one. Everyone else was doing their own thing just like back home in LA. Personally, I won't be lifting more than my own body weight in anything. I have a "grey hound" build that lends itself to kickboxing. I like speed over power but could use some more upper body strength. My DH, who has a good build for lifting, is tolerant of this type of exercise over anything else. Working out and dieting is a challenge for him. We have plenty of women who do light and heavy lifting in the weight room here in Fort Worth.

misschoppo

Great post :happy:

BinaryPulsar

After finishing my set I decided to go work my hamstrings on another piece of equipment!

Hip thrusts and deadlifts will work your hamstrings as well. The machines never work so good for me, maybe because I'm petite or because of the structural issues I was born with or my past growing problem and injuries in car accidents (I find them extremely awkward). I know some people know more about them than I do. Except for Quadruped hip extension (I like that one), and glute kickbacks will do in it's place (can't say I love that one).

Eekababy

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judyde

Bumping this up *AND* copying and pasting it so I don't lose it!

snowbunnyA

Great post. I'm a petite lady and very new to lifting weights. I don't have the benefit of being able to book a PT so when I decided I might like to give free weights a try, I researched, researched and researched some more. I read NROLFW and SS, both of which are full of useful information. I found myself a program I liked the look of and just walked right into the "big boys'" section. The first day was pretty awkward, not knowing where things were kept etc, but that soon goes. I'm in no way ripped and I lift tiny weights compared to the guys in there, but it's heavy for me, and I'm trying my hardest. I will get stronger and I will progress to the bigger weights. I see them looking at me and at first I was intimidated. One day, during my third set of shoulder presses with my little 8kg (17.5lb) dumbbells, where I was struggling to finish my last reps, I felt one of the guys looking at me. I made myself make eye contact once I'd finished, expecting to see laughter there, but no. There was respect for the fact I was pushing myself to my failure point. He gave me a little nod and a smile and got back to lifting his huge weights. Things like that make your day.

I would encourage every woman to give it a try. Go in there, lift heavy. It is so incredibly empowering, fabulous for your self-confidence and self-belief. The changes it makes to your body are awesome, but the best changes are the ones that happen in your head. Good luck!

VeganAmandaJ

Everything you said is spot on from the limited experience I've had over the past 6 months or less. I started my fitness journey long ago when I was 14 and learned a lot then when trainers were pretty much free at the gym I was at.. man, I'd love to remember the poeple who helped me out but alas, I'm getting off the point. I restarted many times throughout the last 16 years since and again and for the last time a little over a year ago. I stayed on the machine floor as I was way too embarassed, intimidated, and unaware of the benefits that free weights provided. Well, after some research and gaining confidence after losing about 30 something pounds and a bunch of inches PLUS I had a friend start joining me at the gym regularly which really helped a lot as we could go together in there. Now I feel way more comfortable and it does take getting used to but it's been nice to be there.

MissB46

I had a bloke come up to me today complimenting me on my form on the squats and then he decided to spot me just like that....75kg's...yeh baby!!!
(I am doing 5x5)

sschreff

Maybe its just my school, but on the college campus there are always a handful of women in the lifting room!!

FraggleRockerFitnessLover

Good advice, I am one who wanders alone amongst the Lion's, Tiger's, and Bear's and with about 90% confidence. I wish, just wish I wasn't so darn shy to ask someone to spot my bench presses! I love the bench pressing, but could never in a million years ask a man or woman to spot me. But at least I am now free weight style like a good lil Cardio Bunny

S3r3knitty

Excellent post. I am also usually the only woman in t weights section.

I'll also add that sometimes the men will try to be helpful, and will try to correct your form, and sometimes they'll be wrong. I've had a guy tell me I shouldn't be arching my back on bench and another that I shouldn't be going that low, or leaning forward on squats. He had no idea what a "low bar" squat was when I explained it. Do your homework on form. Know enough that you know when the "helpfuls" are being helpful and when they are full of it.

This happens to my all the freaking time. However, despite (their well-intentioned but) wrong advice most of them are quite positive and enthusiastic that I do weights as a woman

JoRocka

I had a bloke come up to me today complimenting me on my form on the squats and then he decided to spot me just like that....75kg's...yeh baby!!!
(I am doing 5x5)

yeah no- no way a random dude is trying to help you "spot" he just wants to stand behind your *kitten* while you do it.

KerryBCPA

great post

lynette111

Thanks for the encouragement! I really want to get that book tonight and start soon.

Love2lift72

Haven't read through all the replies yet. but wanted to jump in and say it took me about 4 weeks until I felt more or less like I belong. I still have shyness when there are lots of guys but for the most part it's been great. I have had one tell me that he respects that I'm showing my duaghters how to deadlift.

TLC227

Excellent topic. I remember having to basically drag some of my female friends into the free weight room with me. That initial intimidation factor is huge for some women. I ran track in college and we all lifted in the same place, so when I made the transition to a "regular" gym, using the freeweights section didn't bother me. It would generally be one of the first places I'd beeline to.

I think seeing another women there helps tremendously, because I've had women come up to me and as questions, which I love, because if it gets them in there, it's all good!!

redflamelily

Thanks for this. I've recently started free weights after years of off and on weight machines so this post has spurred me on more to get in there and do it.

innerSKINNYme

Great Post. I see so many women afraid to go in the free weight section. You are absolutely right, hold that head held high.
And don't be afraid to ask a question if you are unsure about something. From experience, you'll be surprised on how many will help you - even the guys.

newcltkathy

I am also the woman in the free weights section of the gym. My Y is dominated by men in that section. They make it pretty intimidating to women. Sometimes the guys are nice and other times I see scowls on faces when I lift in "their" section, I turn up my music and just ignore them. Men need to ease up on being territorial over on that side of the gym. Have any other ladies experienced this as well?

CHSegl

kathy-
Yes, sometimes this ^__^. Especially if I'm w/o my husband. Just lean on the bar, smile, and hoist more than they can. Usually shuts them up!

schwest76

Great post! I went in expecting a lot of unsolicited advice from the guys and was pleasantly surprised they just left me alone. I haven't quite mustered up the nerve to ask for someone to spot me though.

MissB46

I had a bloke come up to me today complimenting me on my form on the squats and then he decided to spot me just like that....75kg's...yeh baby!!!
(I am doing 5x5)

yeah no- no way a random dude is trying to help you "spot" he just wants to stand behind your *kitten* while you do it.

possibly lol

oOTeresaOo

I started weight training about over a year ago and about 6 month ago i started going into the free weights section. Feels good to be one of the regulars and the only girl in that section. Only thing is im afraid to increase my weight too much cus i workout alone. Not too many poeple there in the AM to ask a spot from. But i keep going and doing what im doing.

losingles

Love this! Thank you!

ashleigh315

Thank you for this post! It definitely gave me an added bump of courage to venture more often into the weight room