this whole 'mens side' vs. 'womens side' of the gym

meli_medina

I wonder what would happen if a guy went into the 'women only' room...or if a gym decided to have a 'men only' room

The male trainers are in there and the husbands will sometimes come in to retrieve their wives. Nobody says anything about it because we're all too busy trying to get our workouts done. Or at least I am...

I just like it in there because it's smaller and I can find everything I need at the moment. The main free weights area is HUGE and I don't even know where to begin there.

nutandbutter

someone needs to go and say this on BB.com, I took my first look on there this week and was scared off by the rampant sexism.

Just stay out of the misc and it's all good...

It's fun to read the misc threads though but you will be negged hard if you post.

Toddrific

I dunno, I kind of prefer the women stay on their own side. Whenever they come to the mans side they always show me up =(

Then I have to pretend to be manly, and usually end up hurting myself lifting more than I should reasonably try.

bcc112986

If you're a woman and you feel intimidated about using the weights section, here's what you do ... go over there and ask one of the men to teach you some kind of lift, even if you don't really need help. Just play along. When you're done, thank him profusely for being such a big, strong, tremendously helpful stud. He will be strutting around like a peacock for weeks, and you will thenceforth be welcomed with open arms on the "men's side" of the gym. There's no reason this can't be fun.

Great advice! Thanks for sharing

suziecue66

Really? Why do women feel the need to act stupid to be accepted. Sad

I wouldn't know. I have never acted "stupid" to be accepted anywhere. I'm just not afraid to let a man be helpful, even if I don't really need it. It makes him feel good, it gives me something I want (in this case, the opportunity to work out in a more friendly, cooperative environment). Everyone wins.

I like this.

meeulk

I go into the "dude" area. I'm more intimidated by the barbells than the dudes.

suziecue66

I have suspended my gym membership until beginning of May but plan on going to the men's side when I get back. I did go to men's side before I suspended gym but did feel a bit intimidated. Plus I was fat. I think if I was slim would feel better.

Erica_theRedhead

I dunno, I kind of prefer the women stay on their own side. Whenever they come to the mans side they always show me up =(

Then I have to pretend to be manly, and usually end up hurting myself lifting more than I should reasonably try.

haha I love this. I asked to work in with a guy on a sqaut rack once and we were using the same weight. The second time he went back, he added 2.5lb on each arm just to be doing more than me. I'm a lady so I let him have his moment

AmberFaith90

This is why I have a home gym. Helluva lot more costly than gym membership, but worth it to me! I'm way too shy to bust in on the "guys" part of the gym.

STurbs33

The other day I spent 15 minutes on the treadmill (which I strongly dislike) because I was too nervous to venture over to the free weight section. There were a few women lifting and doing machines, but the majority of people there were men. What if I look stupid? What if they stare? Then I saw that there was a squat rack free, so I sucked it up and went over. I only ended up doing squats and bench press (since I wasted so much time on the treadmill), and I only squatted the bar because it was my first time using a barbell, but I still felt like a bada**. I still get a little anxious over it, but everyone starts somewhere and if I keep going over there, I know I'll only learn more, lift more and get more confident being over there. The only thing I regretted that day was wasting so much of my workout on the treadmill.

I have always had anxiety about the weights section of the gym to the point that I never set foot in there at my old gym. Now that I've "crossed over", I feel so much better. Those guys aren't staring as much as you think they are. They are usually too consumed in their own workouts. And if they are staring, they're probably just checking you out because you're a strong, hot girl lifting weights (this is what my boyfriend tells me lol).

MFPAddict

I haven't read every post, but I am wondering in what type of gym this type of stuff goes on?

Single location, private owner?

National no thrills chain?

I belong to a health club and I have never witnessed any issues with women in the weights area. Every time I go I see women grabbing a set of dumbbells and standing beside men as they all watch their form in the mirror. Women bench pressing, squats, etc.etc.

inetgirl

It was funny today at the gym..All the girls were on the free weight side and the boys were on the cardio side... I actually laughed.

Hearts_2015

Really? Why do women feel the need to act stupid to be accepted. Sad

no kidding! What year is THIS?!

ETA: I've never heard of men's side/women's side until MFP and it's only been recently on here that it's talked about over and over & then rehashed again. :explode: Not sure why the topic is such a big deal lately but it seems to be to some.

I go to a gym, girls and guys can workout wherever they'd like to workout, why do we even need to call it the 'guys side'?? It's a gym for anyone & everyone. I say have a good time working out and don't worry so much about people on here being upset about who's side of the gym you're on!:noway:

OP...I like your style, that was a nice post!:happy: :flowerforyou:

beckylawrence70

So glad I workout at home......:)

kealambert

The other day I spent 15 minutes on the treadmill (which I strongly dislike) because I was too nervous to venture over to the free weight section. There were a few women lifting and doing machines, but the majority of people there were men. What if I look stupid? What if they stare? Then I saw that there was a squat rack free, so I sucked it up and went over. I only ended up doing squats and bench press (since I wasted so much time on the treadmill), and I only squatted the bar because it was my first time using a barbell, but I still felt like a bada**. I still get a little anxious over it, but everyone starts somewhere and if I keep going over there, I know I'll only learn more, lift more and get more confident being over there. The only thing I regretted that day was wasting so much of my workout on the treadmill.

I have always had anxiety about the weights section of the gym to the point that I never set foot in there at my old gym. Now that I've "crossed over", I feel so much better. Those guys aren't staring as much as you think they are. They are usually too consumed in their own workouts. And if they are staring, they're probably just checking you out because you're a strong, hot girl lifting weights (this is what my boyfriend tells me lol).

awesome testimonial! I love that, great job








I feel like I'm in group therapy or something

kealambert

I haven't read every post, but I am wondering in what type of gym this type of stuff goes on?

Single location, private owner?

National no thrills chain?

I belong to a health club and I have never witnessed any issues with women in the weights area. Every time I go I see women grabbing a set of dumbbells and standing beside men as they all watch their form in the mirror. Women bench pressing, squats, etc.etc.

mine is a chain gym, and I'm not speaking on behalf of the women there, as I don't know any of them, but of the posts from women I've seen on MFP or in the past.

I do, of course, speak on behalf of myself as a guy who works in the free weights section. I worked out at a very fancy health club, the kind that costs 75/month and 400 to sign up, and I noticed the same parity there as I do at my chain gym

hesn92

back when I had a gym membership I was too scared to go over there. I only did cardio for a long time before I finally mustered up the courage to go use the weights. But I would only use the machines, not the free weights. Mostly because I had no idea how to use them. The machines had directions and everything. lol. But I don't have a membership anymore.

micls

I'm too intimidated to use the free weights area. Small area, full of musclebound guys, none of which speak english.

Hope that in the future I'll be in a gym where I feel comfortable enough to go for it.

MB_Positif

I find this whole concept mind blowing! I have never been made to feel unwelcome in the free weight section of my gym at all. Honestly the one person that makes me the most uncomfortable is another woman. She just skeeves me out, but other than that I feel like they guys love seeing me there and even kindly offer me help with form.

jennifer52484

I am completely intimidated to use the weight machines in the gym. I feel like they are all staring, and it makes me uncomfortable like i am messing up or something. Last night I attempted a cable crunch.. and I am pretty sure i F'd that up royally.

CandaceyD

Exactly why I go to a women only gym, that has an awesome free weight area with lots of everything!

A women only gym? Where?!

Pebbles536

I lift three days a week. I progressively lift heavier every time. it has gotten to the point that I am afraid to lift heavier cause I don't have a spotter. I have asked someone to spot me. He stayed for one set then bounced. I haven't felt comfortable to ask any one since. :ohwell:

MFPAddict

I haven't read every post, but I am wondering in what type of gym this type of stuff goes on?

Single location, private owner?

National no thrills chain?

I belong to a health club and I have never witnessed any issues with women in the weights area. Every time I go I see women grabbing a set of dumbbells and standing beside men as they all watch their form in the mirror. Women bench pressing, squats, etc.etc.

mine is a chain gym, and I'm not speaking on behalf of the women there, as I don't know any of them, but of the posts from women I've seen on MFP or in the past.

I do, of course, speak on behalf of myself as a guy who works in the free weights section. I worked out at a very fancy health club, the kind that costs 75/month and 400 to sign up, and I noticed the same parity there as I do at my chain gym

Well I guess I should be happy that I don't have to witness that at my health club. Plenty of women kicking @ss in the weights section on a daily basis. Perhaps being in the heart of Steeler Nation, the women here just have a stronger personality and don't give a crap what people think.

nutandbutter

I lift three days a week. I progressively lift heavier every time. it has gotten to the point that I am afraid to lift heavier cause I don't have a spotter. I have asked someone to spot me. He stayed for one set then bounced. I haven't felt comfortable to ask any one since. :ohwell:

Just ask someone in there. Most spotters walk away while you rest. If you watch the guys, that's what they all do. You'll probably have to grab someone for each set. Besides bench, what exercises are you doing that you need a spot for?

GretelPetal91

The gym I go to is TINY! So there isn't really a girls side and a guys side. of course I'm not going to go onto the heavy weight lifting platform and make a fool of myself, but do use the adjustable weigh machines and dumbells, just like the guys use the floor mats and gym balls

No room for judging in my gym

kealambert

of course I'm not going to go onto the heavy weight lifting platform and make a fool of myself

why 'of course'?

GretelPetal91

the "of course" is referring to the fact that I personally am not ready to start with the heavy weights...nor do I plan on ever getting to that point. Most of the guys at my gym don't bother with it either.
well done to the men and women who do though!

Lab2809

Interesting. My gym doesn't have different sides. Everyone just seems to work out together. I've never seen any problems - men and women use all of the free weights, mats and machines.

Same with the gym I go to. I see men and women using everything available. I start with warm up cardio and go over to the free weights afterwards. No funny looks or awkward comments.

almonds1

someone needs to go and say this on BB.com, I took my first look on there this week and was scared off by the rampant sexism.

BB has a ton of idiots... not all but a ton!!! not a good site for a noob!!!


My Gym has a seperate area for women to work out in if they want... Not as much equipment!!

Lyadeia

Why pay the money for a gym membership, and then only use half the gym? And if the half you are using resembles something you could easily do for free (walking, running, bicycling, going upstairs) then once again, why pay the money for a gym membership?

:flowerforyou: