Chicks on the Boys side of the Gym....

sthrnchick
sthrnchick Posts: 771
in Fitness and Exercise
Your thoughts? I started lifting several months ago, at first at home with a few free weights..and realized quickly that I would have to break down and start going to a gym to lift since I was no longer challeged by what I had at home...

I am not gonna lie...the segregation in the gym is intimidating as all get out sometimes...there is a girl's side ( elliptical machines, treadmills and bikes) and theres a boy's side...( all the strength machines, cables-which happen to be my favorite!, free weights and bars). So my question to woman that lift...do you feel intimidated or uncomfortable by being the only female in the stregth section of the gym? And men...is it annoying when a woman crosses over to your side?

Just wanting some perspectives...from both sides. I am not going to stop lifting...I love it! But wonder why the gym is so segregated by gender.
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Replies

  • austelle
    austelle Posts: 108 Member
    You'll get used to it. Most people are in the gym to complete THEIR workout. They are focused on their routine and not really looking around much. I used to be intimidated too, but after 6 months of "lifting with the boys," I have gotten used to it. Most people are very polite and even helpful. I have asked questions and been given helpful pointers on form, etc. Just, be respectful of others space and they'll be respectful back. As for the cardio bunnies, they'll just be jealous of your guns ;)
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    Cardio bunnies!! LOVE IT!!! Everyone is very respectful...just sometimes...being the only female among 50 guys is just weird.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    no i dont feel intimidated. i pay my gym membership same as the menfolk.

    also in my gym there's just as many men cardio bunnies as women :laugh:

    i think many women who avoid the free weight section do so
    a)because they've read too much about "toning" from various fitness magazines geared towards women and fear they will miraculously gain 50 pounds in muscle just by lifting 1 weight over 10 pounds
    b) they dont know what to do and would rather avoid going to those contraptions to figure it how
    c) there's almost always a group of 3-4 guys in headbands and muscle shirts pretty much involved in circle jerk
  • zorbaru
    zorbaru Posts: 1,077 Member
    i doubt that it is a rule that only the boys use strength and girls use cardio.

    to hell with them all i say, do what you want. you pay your fees.
  • Flugangst
    Flugangst Posts: 98 Member
    I've never realized this, but then again, I don't really give a ****e. I'm there focusing on ME and what I want and need to do for ME and MY health, so...lol.
  • KCoolBeanz
    KCoolBeanz Posts: 813 Member
    At first it was intimidating. I went early in the mornings to get comfortable with my routine, and then honestly I could care less.

    I actually had some guy tell me I was doing some "badass stuff" last week, which was awesome :)
  • varulv
    varulv Posts: 21
    it doesn't annoy me at all actually i find myself working harder when girls are over next to me lifting the macho part of my brain turns on and wants to impress them coincidentally don't be afraid to ask for a spot we are always willing to help
  • Valkyriewoman
    Valkyriewoman Posts: 120 Member
    I guess I never really noticed a split in my gym when I started lifting. As far as being intimidated, I didn't pay attention to anything like that because lifting was just part of my committment to get healthy... who cared if it was only guys around me. The guys there have always been really supportive, especially once they figured out I was serious and saw the progress I made. They treat me the same as they treat each other, provide a spot for me if I need it and are genuinely encouraging. I think they think it's very groovy that I'm in there lifting heavy and pushing hard.
  • varulv
    varulv Posts: 21
    it doesn't annoy me at all actually i find myself working harder when girls are over next to me lifting the macho part of my brain turns on and wants to impress them coincidentally don't be afraid to ask for a spot we are always willing to help
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771

    I actually had some guy tell me I was doing some "badass stuff" last week, which was awesome :)

    That would make me feel like a BAD *kitten* and I would LOVE it!!
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    it doesn't annoy me at all actually i find myself working harder when girls are over next to me lifting the macho part of my brain turns on and wants to impress them coincidentally don't be afraid to ask for a spot we are always willing to help

    I guess I havent lifted long enough to ask for a spotter yet. I hope to be more comfortable the longer i go.
  • hmoore202
    hmoore202 Posts: 15
    Girl get in there!!! Seriously, first of all i believe all women should be doing some sort of strength training anyway, but who really cares about being on the guys side??!! You will be surprised to find how non-judgemental those guys are and i often prefer to weight lift with the guys than deal with the girls on the cardio machines, I'm often one of the only girls lifting weights, all 5'1'' 125 lbs of me with my pink tank...i was told the free weight side was lacking in hot pink attire :o) But don't be intimidated...you got this!!
  • hutchy90
    hutchy90 Posts: 67 Member
    c) there's almost always a group of 3-4 guys in headbands and muscle shirts pretty much involved in circle jerk

    Hahah so true! And yes it is intimidating at first. I didnt mind it if my boyfriend was with me, but everytime I went to the gym alone I would run for the womens area. (At my gym the women's area has lots of strength training machines and freeweights too) However, I became more comfortable and confident in my weight training and now I have no problem lifting with the boys.

    I think its just intimidating when you arent confident with weights. If thats the case with you I would just suggest looking up the workouts online and make sure you go over proper form of all the exercises before you hit the gym.

    I workout with a lot of the boys now, and they dont mind women around their weights at all. They just hate the ones who stand around giggling and chatting on their cellphones, wearing reveiling clothes - being useless and getting in the way of their workouts. (I doubt the odd guy likes those girls around the gym, but none of the guys I workout with.)

    As long as you're focused and serious about your wrokout I honestly think they dont think they mind at all!

    and like hmoore202 said, I actually find the guys side more comforting. They are much less judgmental than some of the ladies who can give very dirty/snobby looks for whatever reasons.
  • hesn92
    hesn92 Posts: 5,966 Member
    no it's not intimidating. what girl could be bothered by being surrounded by a bunch of men lifting weights...? lol.
  • ScottRy76
    ScottRy76 Posts: 31 Member
    it doesn't annoy me at all actually i find myself working harder when girls are over next to me lifting the macho part of my brain turns on and wants to impress them coincidentally don't be afraid to ask for a spot we are always willing to help

    lol pretty much this, most of the time i am so into my workout I never really pay much attention, build you some muscle ladies
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    it doesn't annoy me at all actually i find myself working harder when girls are over next to me lifting the macho part of my brain turns on and wants to impress them coincidentally don't be afraid to ask for a spot we are always willing to help

    lol pretty much this, most of the time i am so into my workout I never really pay much attention, build you some muscle ladies

    Thanks for a man's perspective!!
  • ImKindOfABigDeal40
    ImKindOfABigDeal40 Posts: 807 Member
    More power to you. If you really want to get fit, weight lifting is necessary. You shouldn't feel intimidated at all.
  • Aequitas503
    Aequitas503 Posts: 62
    I've just started lifting and it can be intimidating, most times I go I'm the only girl in the free weight section. It seems twice as intimidating because I'm just starting out so I'm there benching my 22.5kg and there are guys with insane amounts

    But now I'm getting used to it and realised that they all had to start where I am and I'm going to be proud of being "the girl" with my hot pink gym towel (not a colour a would've chosen but it was free and now I kinda like it...)
  • miracole
    miracole Posts: 492 Member
    Just follow the rules of the benches and don't worry about it, don't monopolize the machines, allow others to work in, wipe down your bench when you're done and give a spot when you're asked.

    And my own personal rule, if you're going to be lifting, challenge yourself!

    Remember that you have as much right to be on the lifting side as anyone else.

    Happy lifting!
  • trelm249
    trelm249 Posts: 777 Member
    I train in the gym at a local military base. While there are certainly the cardio bunnies coming through, there are plenty of female lifters throwing the free weights also.

    It so happens the lifter that I have seen there demonstrating the most impressive combination of control and strength there has been a female lifter. She's the only person there whom I have seen do the "skin the cat" on the pull up bar.
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    More power to you. If you really want to get fit, weight lifting is necessary. You shouldn't feel intimidated at all.


    Thank you!! And I agree with it being necessary...
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    I train in the gym at a local military base. While there are certainly the cardio bunnies coming through, there are plenty of female lifters throwing the free weights also.

    It so happens the lifter that I have seen there demonstrating the most impressive combination of control and strength there has been a female lifter. She's the only person there whom I have seen do the "skin the cat" on the pull up bar.

    I hope to be that chick one day!!!
  • ishtar13
    ishtar13 Posts: 528 Member
    At my gym, depending on the time of day, there may be other women over there. One morning there was all women for about 20 mins. So, you might be surprised.

    The funny thing is, most of the men don't use the cage or squat racks, and I usually don't have to fight or wait for equipment.

    Now, if only I could get them to put away their 45 lb plates when they're done. . .

    I mean really, if you just lifted 225, surely you can pull the plates off one at a time and put them away, right?
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    At my gym, women can come into the weight section AFTER they have asked permission from each male member currently working in the area.
  • lucylou9701
    lucylou9701 Posts: 194
    Ahahahah at first I was pretty intimidated but after awhile I just got in there and got what needed to be done done. I feel like a bad *kitten* when I lift and lifting is giving me an *kitten* I am proud to flaunt LOL I love feeling good about myself and I am very competetive so when I can deadlift more than the guy beside me it just fires me up to push harder. I am so tired of the line in the sand drawn between men and women. I am strong, fit and confident and if I want to lift weights than I am going to. Screw intimidation! "You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it." Don't be embarrassed women... we are strong too so if you are reading this and you are intimidated to go in the weight room... don't be, the guys are not all that bad.
  • keeponkickin
    keeponkickin Posts: 1,520 Member
    Not intimidated at all but I there is definitely a "boys side" of the gym. I just get in there and lift heavy and most guys are happy to see a girl lifting.
  • emmymae22
    emmymae22 Posts: 206
    This is gonna sound sad, but it's the only reason I haven't added strength training to my routine. When I was really big, before I got a gym membership (75 pounds ago..) I would walk outside, and a few times these built guys would be out on a front porch and they would yell mean things/oink at me. So I avoid boys in the gym all together. And I know that's extremely stupid because I'm sure like you guys said, everyone is there to pretty much get their own workouts in and they aren't worried about anyone else...but I can't help it. I'm so scared of being that close to guys who are in good shape, lol. I will stick to Zumba, with all of the other women, for now...
  • pennypersson
    pennypersson Posts: 1
    I have a gym that is exactly the same - girly room or he-man room. At first I too was intimidated, but last week one of the weightlifters commented on my improvement - went from a 40 lb lift to 110. He noticed because he did not have to adjust the weight after I finished!!! YES. That felt good. So 22.2 lbs down and lots stronger. The cool thing is when I started on the big boy side two months ago I was the only female over there, now there are 5 or 6 of us so I think by just doing it I freed other women up to go in there and lift.
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    Some of us scare the *kitten* out of both genders. It amuses me to no end.

    GC... I WOULD so ask you to spot!! LOL!!! :)

    And do you make the boys cry!!? I cant wait to get to that point!
  • catshark209
    catshark209 Posts: 1,133 Member
    Omg I started going at 0500 just to get away from the guys. I'd go in the afternoon after 1700 and a bunch of macho Latinos would literally pause and give me the evil eye. Before anyone gets mad, I'm Mexican myself. I get it, I should be home cooking. But no I'm here to lift.
    So I wake up super early to hang with the older crowd. No one stares there and the other morning it was me and three other women in the weight area.
    I just feel stupid cuz I use lighter weights cuz its all I can do now. I feel like a wimp! But we all gotta start somewhere right?

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