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

k2quiere

I don't find it too intimidating. I think the best thing to do is to just focus on say 3 or 4 machines at a time and rotate. I hate when people come into the weights area and they jump from machine to machine and then 15 machines later they are all dirty. When people see you are serious about it they take you serious

I've never actually considered the machines the "boys side"; they usually sit between the cardio (girls) and the free weights (boys). I don't actually prescribe to there being any "side" to the gym, but I think the convo here is about going into the free weights area and copping a Squat or lifting the Dead.

rm830

The Man Cave was intimidating at first but having the trainers keep taking us there has gotten us used to it. Now my friends and I go work out there all the time without really caring about what anyone there thinks!

DaBossLady24

Nope, not intimidated at all and never have been!

I enjoy giving the boys a show to watch since they look like their in awe by some of the poundage I can pack onto a bar and ACTUALLY lift. I catch them staring since it's so "foreign" for a woman to be on the "boy's side" of the gym and just smile like I've put on my best performance yet because I have if I'm challenging myself enough! :bigsmile:

abaka123

Im not intimidated when lifting with the 'mens' side', Im slightly more annoyed. Not getting in to sexist comments or anything, but they seem to want to talk more than workout, like pick a girl up. Im very focused to get done what i need to do and get out. I also see them gawk at women and stare like they never seem a woman before. I even wear ear phones and a hat to give them a hint- "im married and dont like to talk' but for some it doesnt matter. Putting that aside, when I frist started lifting I wasnt sure how to use some equipment and they are a good source of info. Alo, Im 5'3 so when I could not reach to adjust the equipment to my height they are also around to help. :0)

Pookylou

I've only seen one over woman in the free weights section of the gym, and she was using the Barbie weights for a billion reps... I was scary the first time I went "over there" I do a tiny bit of cardio as my warm up and cool down. I do get some looks but mostly I think they are thinking well done (this is what I choose to assume!)
I am usually so focused on my own thing I don't notice too much going on around me!

jcstanton

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.

I think the segregation often stems from the fact that many women are intimidated by the idea of lifting weights, while many men fail to realize or recognize the benefits of adding cardio to their strength training (my brother is included in this group :grumble: ). There are benefits to both cardio and strength training for men and women. Like you said, just keep doing what you're doing. Maybe you can be the example to the other women in the gym, and convince them to cross "territitorial" lines and start lifting weights too. If they can see the benefits first hand, it might be less intimidating for them.

biglew909

To me, seeing a girl lifting right in the middle of all the "bros" is pretty awesome. I give that girl kudos...as long as she's actually WORKING and not just trying to hook up.

On the other side of it...I run on the treadmill, and looking down the rows of machines the person I try to pace myself off of is a female.

A cardio crazy, scary-fit female, but a girl nonetheless.

You really wanna get some props from the bros? Try doing CrossFit moves on the "boys" side of the gym. Just sayin'.

k2quiere

Maybe you can be the example to the other women in the gym, and convince them to cross "territitorial" lines and start lifting weights too. If they can see the benefits first hand, it might be less intimidating for them.

Or if all the women take over the free weights, the guys will be forced to head to the cardio section....then everyone is totally balanced. muahahaha

sovannac

I used to be intimated and then I started going with my boyfriend to that side and wasn't so much after that. When I go to the gym myself, I usually go later in the evening when there are less men around so that I'm that I'm a little bit more comfortable. Just recently I started going to a different 24 Hour location and I am a lot more comfortable in the weight areas than my prior location. I don't know why but I feel more confident. I don't get hit on but I do notice a lot more looks. Not looks of "what is she doing here?" but more of the impressed looks. It adds a boost to my workout.

sovannac

To me, seeing a girl lifting right in the middle of all the "bros" is pretty awesome. I give that girl kudos...as long as she's actually WORKING and not just trying to hook up.

On the other side of it...I run on the treadmill, and looking down the rows of machines the person I try to pace myself off of is a female.

A cardio crazy, scary-fit female, but a girl nonetheless.

You really wanna get some props from the bros? Try doing CrossFit moves on the "boys" side of the gym. Just sayin'.

When I see girls doing cross fit moves on the "boys" side, I am in awe! I want to be one of those girls!

mznisaelaine

I use to be so intimidated. I would be the only girl in the area. I would get funny looks from the guys and it would just make me want to hurry up and cut my workout short because I felt like I "invaded" there territory. I would feel better if I had like a workout partner for strength training. So I'm still a little intimidated when I'm by myself and I'm the only girl. If there are other girls present then I'll feel a little better.

But I will lift nonetheless and I will lift heavy :drinker:

kitinboots

My gym is so small there's no segregation as such. You walk through or past the free weights in order to go anywhere and there aren't many girls that I've seen at the gym at all. So far the only girl I've seen lifting weights is myself, but I'm certain I'm not the only one.
I make sure I know what I'm doing before I do it in front of everyone (I have some tiny 2kg weights at home I use to practise my form in the mirror) and I just go and do my thing. I was offered a little help with my tricep kickbacks by an employee but other than that everyone keeps to themselves. I'm very careful not to get in anyone's way.
I like being the girl in the middle of the big muscly men and its a funny feeling being all sweaty and gross, pulling faces as you struggle with your last squats, feeling the eyes of others fixated on your bum I like it.

jcstanton

Im not intimidated when lifting with the 'mens' side', Im slightly more annoyed. Not getting in to sexist comments or anything, but they seem to want to talk more than workout, like pick a girl up. Im very focused to get done what i need to do and get out. I also see them gawk at women and stare like they never seem a woman before. I even wear ear phones and a hat to give them a hint- "im married and dont like to talk' but for some it doesnt matter. Putting that aside, when I frist started lifting I wasnt sure how to use some equipment and they are a good source of info. Alo, Im 5'3 so when I could not reach to adjust the equipment to my height they are also around to help. :0)

They stare and gawk at me sometimes, too. However, I've noticed that alot of the "gawkers" are older men (60 years and older). I think they are either amazed or shocked by the fact that a woman can do what I do. They are from a generation that was taught that women are to be dainty, petite, and feminine, and strong, athletic women are all lesbians. Seriously...I'm not kidding...I've heard people from that generation say that was the mentality during the time they were brought up. Of course, it could also have something to do with how I start to look about ten minutes into my workout. :laugh: (See photo)

HannahDiaz25

The only time it feels awkward to me is when I am doing my own thing...in my zone and some guy keeps blatently staring at me.

workoutgirl23

lol. yea i know what you mean. i sometimes will cross over into the boys side, with all the weights and stuff, and all the guys just stare at me. lol.

karagetsfit

Sometimes, especially when I first started going. But now that I've been going for a couple of months, they know who I am and they know I am there to get busy.

Luxxmundi

I was lucky in the fact that the gym I went to was quite open, and a lot of the machines were mixed, so there weren't really any sides. Although I have to admit, if guy were doing weights, the women would wait until they had completely finished and then head over.

brentdaniels

There are 2 female bodybuilders at my gym and I think it's the other way around-they intimidate the men! One of them is about 110-115 and I saw her load up in the squat rack with 315 pounds and do about 8 reps in perfect form. It was awesome! What is really funny is the dumba**es that try to hit on them and they pretty much do not even acknowledge their existence...lol

lizzybethclaire

I am still really intimidated by the "boys" side of the gym. I push through and I just tell myself they are only staring at my chest. I can handle that. When my next training session comes up I am going to have her show me how to lift some of the weights on the "boy" side.

iWaffle

When I see a woman on the free weight side I always look around to see if someone installed an oven next to the dumbbell rack.
(I kid, I kid)

Seriously, doesn't matter at all. Most of the people that annoy me are guys doing stuff wrong or hogging equipment. Can't say I ever got annoyed at a lady in the weight room. Just don't walk over and exclusively use the inner thigh cable machine. Most women I see think that's the only piece of valuable equipment in the gym. It always amuses me.

Blaqheart

There's NO such thing at my gym everyone is equal as it should be. No one is rude because everyone are just as much a member as someone benching 500lbs. This is not tolerated everyone has access to any equipment they choose to work out on provided someone isn't already using it. That's why I love my gym.

I will be starting to work on my new program today and it involves lifting heavier using a barbell.

If they stare stare back, giving a malicious smile, and DON'T BLINK while you squat those reps.

If you let them intimidate you now they always will. Same as a bully stand up to them and they collapse like a house of cards.:laugh:

I dunno maybe it's just me but this is stupid crap no one should have to put up with now we're adults.:noway:

Blaqheart

To me, seeing a girl lifting right in the middle of all the "bros" is pretty awesome. I give that girl kudos...as long as she's actually WORKING and not just trying to hook up.

On the other side of it...I run on the treadmill, and looking down the rows of machines the person I try to pace myself off of is a female.

A cardio crazy, scary-fit female, but a girl nonetheless.

You really wanna get some props from the bros? Try doing CrossFit moves on the "boys" side of the gym. Just sayin'.

When I see girls doing cross fit moves on the "boys" side, I am in awe! I want to be one of those girls!

Hey come join us! Who says you can't "be one of us"???:bigsmile: We may not all be in the same room, but we are all doing the same thing and it involves heavy lifting.

Anyone and everyone is welcome guy girl should be able to do what they want even if society disapproves.

You're competing only with yourself. besides who cares what anyone else thinks it simply doesn't matter!

KraseyBeauty

It's funny, but we have plenty of female weight regulars, so I don't really feel odd about it.

jenluvsushi

First off...I have an awesome gym full of serious lifters that are mostly men (I am almost always the only girl in the weight room or the only one lifting more than barbie weights). I don't care at all what anyone thinks....I'm there to lift heavy and find that I often lift heavier than the men anyways. If they have issues, it's their issue not mine. Matter of fact, I have even gotten compliments about how strong I am.

dabomb5198

My wife has been lifting with me for almost 3 years. When she started she was uncomfortable but now it's great. She works just like everyone else and has made friends with a couple of the guys. I enjoy having women in the weight room. I find that I work a little harder when they are around. Just being honest.

sammniamii

I'm VERY intimidated.... I bought some minor weights for home use, but I can't stand standing in front of that full mirrored wall at the gym. It's bad enough when I use the strength machines some of them will stare at me, I don't know if they are repulsed at me being there or shocked that I am doing them.

A few women do use the free weights, but they are small well muscled women, and then I see they are almost always crowded over to one side.

I have vowed, once I can use the max of my home set, I will stand up there.

aprilgrl27

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...

Me too I feel like I should be over that, and it is only hurting me by not doing so. But I still can't venture to the "other side". I'm hoping to get over this soon. I hope you do as well!

jlcl119

There are quite a few women lifters at my gym, so I think the guys are used to it.
They're very helpful and encouraging unless you're just wasting their space chatting on cellphones or dragging the 5lb weights around when you're not doing dropsets.
There are a couple of high school boys that go to my gym. One time one of them told me that the weight (30lbs) I was picking up was probably too heavy for me and that I should try 10lbs instead. One of the serious lifters there overheard and commented that I was just fine and that when he needs a spot he would be asking me and not him.
Anyone that's there to seriously work out are all on the same team, regardless of gender. And they will not tolerate bullying.

MoveTheMountain

I do most of my stuff at home these days, but back when I spent more time in gyms, I was always impressed by women who knew what they were doing with the free weights. You don't see it a lot, so it's very cool when you do.

missprincessgina

I'm intimidated by the "guy's section" so I've never gone over to the weight room. I go to a personal trainer (one on one) twice a week for strength training.