I am the woman in the freeweights section of the gym

Fit2beme14

Bodybuilding. Com can help you out with how to properly lift and different types of
exercises.

Limeycat

IN for freeweights!

I've been working out with a trainer for a couple of months, learning good form and have now started spending much more of my gym time in the weight room, doing SL 5x5. I love it! I've had a few funny looks from guys who seem a bit surprised to see a woman old enough to be their mother in the squat rack, but I just grin at them... They soon go back to what they were doing! :bigsmile:

captain_abigail

I don't know what's the big deal about being a woman in the weights room actually. I never feel intimidated. I've never got bad stares, I just got some compliments:)

Steph_135

I started at the gym a couple weeks ago. I've been lifting in my home gym for 2 or 3 years now. I was just scared/turned off by the gym and working out in public in general. I love group dance classes, but solo workouts make me super self-conscious. Well, at the gym, I'm working with a personal trainer, and I was literally the only woman in the lifting section. I felt special, and was glad my trainer was there.

This weekend I am going to workout lifting by myself for the first time. It's a little nerve racking, but when I workout there, I am just in my own little world. I hardly even look at other people. I know the routine, and I am excited to try it by myself. I have seen other women in that part of the gym at busier times, though. (They lift crazy heavy sometimes! I am working up to that.) :happy:

jrhanna84

In for the Free weights and myth busting! Personally, I love being in the Free weight section. I've been working with a trainer for almost a year now and I've made serious gains on my lifts. For example, when we last tested I deadlifted 225#, that's an increase of 100#'s since I started. There is a group of really great guys at my gym who are super helpful and very courteous.

darvinadamson

We need to maintain our body fit by doing proper regular excercise and we need to take proper diet with more nutritions,proteins,etc,.

stillhere1981

I have an appointment with a trainer tonight to show me around the free weight section. I'm still nervous though. This post has helped me though.

kimmijo88

I found that the most of the men in my gym, actually want to help you, and i ended up having them help me to train!
Dont be nervous! ladies!

Snugglebunny217

I'm been going to the free weights section for several weeks now, and I have to be honest - sometimes I still get a little nervous when I notice on I'm the only woman over there. But just like it's easier for me to go over if there is a woman there already, I think it's easier for other woman to come over as well.

In particular, I feel very lucky because the guys there have never made me feel "rushed" just because there is a shortage of equipment, etc. They will bug each other but tend to let the women have their space and have whatever they want. But that might just be a Texas thing. I go to a Gold's Gym.

VelveteenArabian

Whenever some dude drops the weights really abruptly (and almost always needlessly) does anyone else want to call them an attention *kitten*? Maybe it's just me.

Certain times of the day at my gym are better than others at the weight room. Sometimes some of the guys develop a real staring problem when a woman is in the weight section. Not severe enough to be to be something you report to management, just enough to make you wish they would grow the hell up.

Limeycat

In particular, I feel very lucky because the guys there have never made me feel "rushed" just because there is a shortage of equipment, etc. They will bug each other but tend to let the women have their space and have whatever they want. But that might just be a Texas thing. I go to a Gold's Gym.

Two days running I've had guys ask me how long I'm going to be in the squat rack. Very tempted to say 'as long as it takes' but each time I've smiled and said how many sets I have left and how long I'll be. First chap grunted, stalked off, paced around the rack looking grumpy and impatient, so I deliberately gave myself a slightly longer rest between sets. Second chap backed off, went and did something else and thanked me when I shouted him over after quickly finishing. Behaviour breeds behaviour....

cindytw

For a while I worked out exclusively in the "mens' part of the gym with my husband and his friend. Because of that, I never felt uncomfortable doing the same at my new gym. Prior to that, I had been at a women's gym so I was also fairly comfortable with free weights anyway.

SkepticalOwl

Whenever some dude drops the weights really abruptly (and almost always needlessly) does anyone else want to call them an attention *kitten*? Maybe it's just me.

Usually at my gym there's a good mix of people in the free weight section: mostly men but some women, old and young of both genders. This morning the bro concentration rose above critical and weights were dropping, bouncing, and flying all over the place, as loudly as possible. It made it very hard to concentrate on what I was doing ( benching). Very frustrating!

Limeycat

Tonight I also had two bros who were setting up in what they described as 'the pro corner'. Next to the squat rack. They were effing and blinding every other word and in about half an hour I never saw either of them lift a weight, they were too busy texting and dissing people (mainly women they'd allegedly been with, from what I could hear). Felt like calling them out, but TBH, I was too much into what I was doing to give a ****. Lifting is evidently good for the soul!

aimforhealthy

I found that the most of the men in my gym, actually want to help you, and i ended up having them help me to train!
Dont be nervous! ladies!

This has been my experience too. The dudebros at my gym are always willing to answer my n00b questions and mostly leave me alone or are just nice and say hello otherwise.

VeganAmandaJ

Agreed!! That is absolute madness!

Well I went and I asked to be shown the free weights. What did I get shown? The treadmill? I asked a second time and got shown the bike. I asked a third time and got told women don't really lift weights so he couldn't show me them. What the actual hell?! I kicke up a fuss and I have an appointment with someone who might be able to help on Thursday, but I'm not that hopeful, particularly as this gym seems to mainly just have weights machines.

Argh! I definitely need to do this now, so that I have muscles big enough to punch people who say this type of thing.

Yikes, that is awful. I would definitely switch gyms, if that is an option.

You know who first told me that women needed to lift weights? An aerobic instructor! We were in the middle of a class and she said, "You know ladies, this will help you lose weight, but if you want to really firm up, y'all are going to have to start lifting." Due to her influence, the weight room at our YMCA is usually populated by both genders. It's awesome.

MissDetermined335

I don't tend to think about gender specific areas in the gym- anyone who does needs to just get on with their work out and not be worried about what other people around you may or may not be thinking. I'd like to think this is 2014 and not 1974, so peoples attitudes and perception of gender have come on a long way, especially when it comes to lifting weights in a gym.

I personally spend about 40% of my workouts in the weight area and have never thought about it even if i have been the only woman there at the time.

Man, woman, or chimp....get the weights pumping and have a great time!

prisky780

This is an awesome thread. In fact the last one was even better.

Forget about going to freeweight section, I used to be nervous about going to gym all together. I thought other girls will judge me because I can't run on a treadmills for long enough.

So I hired a trainer and what he does the first day?? He took me to a corner right next to the freeweight section and gave me a dumbbell to lift. At first it was extremely awkward because all the men can actually see what you are doing. Now that I have completed my 4th week, my trainer is having me trained in the freeweight sections with the guys.

I don't think men in my gym actually stare at me or judge me. Every now and then when I'm taking few seconds of breaks, I would lookup to see who's doing what. So next time I can ask my trainer. I still feel a little lost around when I'm waiting for my trainer but that's because I don't know my routine for the day. But I'm finally getting comfortable. I think they respect a girl working(/trying to) out at freeweights section. I'm probably the 2nd girl there. I see new faces here and there but they never stick around. Sad!

gamerguy123

I cannot give weight loss advice as I lost the weight and gained it back. But wanted to give male perspective. I go into the free weight section and I am always the smallest guy (in terms of bulk) lifting weights. It doesn't bother me. I know lifting has made me stronger and healthier. I can see some small improvements and that's enough for me. I ignore the other dudes laughing because I can't lift a whole lot. Don't care, just want to get better myself and get stronger.

When I see a woman in the section, I would imagine it might be a similar mind set that would help. To me, they are just trying to get stronger and they are dedicated to what they are doing. I respect that a whole lot.

Don't know if this helps or not...

silentKayak

* Go with a friend who knows what they're doing. They'll show you some stuff you can do, and it's more fun that way. Or if you have no friends but have plenty of cash, hire a trainer at first. You can also ask the gym staff to show you particular racks/setups or even exercises. They're usually happy to help.

* Bring headphones. Ignore everyone else. No one cares what you're doing.

* When you're first learning an exercise, go light. Master your form and technique, then go heavier.

* Make sure you follow basic gym etiquette, like bringing a towel, wiping down equipment, and lifting safely.

Men in weight rooms often do jerky or oblivious behaviors like leaving heavy weights on the bars for you to struggle with, working out in the wrong place so you can't move around the room (there's invariably some guy doing shrugs like 3 inches from the dumbbell rack), or offering to "help" (ugh) when you're doing just fine. Ask them to move, or turn your ignore dial up, as needed.

Asking men for a spot is generally perceived as a come-on. I prefer to ask women to spot me until I get to know the regulars.

Dress however you like, but be aware that a t-shirt may work better than a tank top if you don't want to attract attention.

It's your room too. Go own it.

knittinlady

I joined a gym a little over a month ago, just to lift weights. I'm usually the only woman lifting, but not always. I do occasionally get some funny looks from the guys when I walk in and start lifting like I own the place. But more often I overhear comments like "She deadlifts more than I do!":happy:

I can deadlift and squat more than my bodyweight now, and I'm working towards being able to bench my bodyweight by my birthday, which is in December. I have 45 pounds to go. And I front-squatted 100 pounds today!

I'm addicted to lifting.:happy:

fauxfox66

I get over there and start lifting fine, but then I start getting less confident as I notice the eyes of the men on me. To give myself confidence, I focus entirely on what I'M doing, bork everyone else. It's not too hard for me because I do 1-minute sets in a big circuit, so I'm looking at my timer pretty often. I like to blast my headphones really loud, with angry music, and keep my face locked in an "I-mean-business" expression. Also, contrary to the usual rules of public, I try to go over looking as much of a mess as possible- sweaty face and hair and my least favorite workout tops, so I don't feel so much staring on me. It's sad, but men take women more seriously when they aren't wearing pink or looking fabulous.

Tips to fake confidence: shoulders back, chin up, neck long, think violent thoughts.

augustremulous

I haven't found it intimidating. I have, though, found that men seem to see it as an invitation to talk to you. I usually have a man interrupt my workout and offer unsolicited advice or try to make awkward conversation pretty regularly. It's pretty annoying.

bostonwolf

I joined a gym a little over a month ago, just to lift weights. I'm usually the only woman lifting, but not always. I do occasionally get some funny looks from the guys when I walk in and start lifting like I own the place. But more often I overhear comments like "She deadlifts more than I do!":happy:

I can deadlift and squat more than my bodyweight now, and I'm working towards being able to bench my bodyweight by my birthday, which is in December. I have 45 pounds to go. And I front-squatted 100 pounds today!

I'm addicted to lifting.:happy:

I'd go stroll over and tell them they get points for deadlifting. Not to many bros bother with legs.

PwrLftr82

I joined a gym a little over a month ago, just to lift weights. I'm usually the only woman lifting, but not always. I do occasionally get some funny looks from the guys when I walk in and start lifting like I own the place. But more often I overhear comments like "She deadlifts more than I do!":happy:

I can deadlift and squat more than my bodyweight now, and I'm working towards being able to bench my bodyweight by my birthday, which is in December. I have 45 pounds to go. And I front-squatted 100 pounds today!

I'm addicted to lifting.:happy:

I'd go stroll over and tell them they get points for deadlifting. Not to many bros bother with legs.

Truth! I'm the only chick in the weight section when I go (5 am) and lots of bros...I've only ever seen one or two of them squat, but no one but me deadlifts.

LittleE15

I have a funny story about that. I've been reading Oxygen magazine for years- pick up this magazine to learn how to use weights and cable machines!!

I got some neon colored exercise wear like I see in magazines and I hook up to a cable machine and "look all serious". I could barely do any of the exercises and almost fell over sideways several times. (Doing Single-leg deadlifts on the cable machine). I provided the comic relief in the gym, You could tell I was horribly out of shape, but I did not care.

Now I can do those exercises well and got great shape in those glute muscles.

Stick with it for two weeks and you'll see MAJOR improvements. You won't want to stop. Going on two years now.

MargaretSobers

It sounds good that many women are decided to stay fit by using or taking advantages of free-weights section of the gym.

jazzy_45

I am a member of 24 hour fitness and when I lift weights I go very late like midnight-3 a.m. There's hardly anyone else there. I really like it because I'll admit, I'm intimidated by guys in the weight room. That's an option for some, if they want to do that at first before they get more confident with lifting...

jazzy_45

I don't know what's the big deal about being a woman in the weights room actually. I never feel intimidated. I've never got bad stares, I just got some compliments:)

You're right. We pay the membership too, just like the guys. We have as much right to be there as they do! I am intimidated though, but by working out at weird hours, I'm getting over my fear.

Fitteacherc

I just joined a "black iron" weightlifting club that has a focus on education, inclusivity, and people lifting heavy **** (and putting it back down). If you haven't picked a gym yet, it might be useful to try 3 or 4-day passes until you find a place that is welcoming.