weights at the gym...Im scurred :(

peuglow

How did you ladies overcome the intimidation that comes from lifting at the gym? There are women who lift at my gym...they are the fitness model very buff kind. Ive never had a good experience using free weights at a gym. At our previous gym someone actually laughed when I grabbed some lighter weights and made a rude comment about my ability. I know its stupid but I am so intimidated to try it again. I was very heavy when this happened and had worked up so much courage to try something new. Everyone is so strong and knows what they are doing at our current gym. Lots of young douchey gym dudes who like to flex in the mirror and scream when they lift and oogle the ladies. I do the machines...but I hate the machines and know I'm not getting the same benefit.

Basically...I need some serious confidence.

That's terrible. I've helped lots of women and men as a personal trainer. I'd recommend trying something like that first.

Also, try to ignore the naysayers. It makes me sick when you see someone trying and then others put them down.

mercymarque

Dont be scurred! Ur not there for the ppl... I love my gym. Nobody judges and that's there motto at Planet Fitness. U just motivated me to do so free weights... I get on the machines, do circut and cardio. Remember u r there for u. If they have a trainer work with him or her to know how to use the weights properly and start slow and gradually increase. Remember they don't count u and ur health is what matters.

AlphamaleBAMF

How did you ladies overcome the intimidation that comes from lifting at the gym?

I'm not a lady but I'm just trying to ease my way into it. I know I'm still fat and I know there are a lot of guys stronger and bigger than me. But I'm trying to get in there and do it as much as I can.

A lot of guys these days are wearing some freaky *kitten* stuff like full on ankle length tights and Y back singlets with mullet haircuts and gold necklaces. I get intimidated by that still like "Do I want to be turning my back on this guy?" but you just have to think you're not gonna get raped while you're doing weights and if it does happen you just have to deal with that hurdle when you get to it.

I imagine women are worried about the same thing.

Lina4Lina

That's terrible. I've helped lots of women and men as a personal trainer. I'd recommend trying something like that first.

Also, try to ignore the naysayers. It makes me sick when you see someone trying and then others put them down.

I agree. I've taken many friends to the gym with me and I quickly realized that we all start somewhere. One of my friends had to use 2 lb and 3 lb weights when she started. You should've seen me scouring the gym for these because the smallest weight in the free weight section was 5 lbs which she struggled with. Luckily, one of the classrooms had them. Everyone starts somewhere.

Jexebel

I did a LOT!!! of research, forums, websites, youtube, etc. Practiced form and built up some strength (because no way could I even lift that 45 lb bar for some exercises in the beginning) that on these smaller fixed barbell things that go up to 110lbs at my gym. Then one early Saturday morning, I just went over and did my thang with the weights.

karensoxfan

I was scared the first day I walked into the free weight area of my gym too. I didn't know where all the machines were (like the squat rack, d'oh!) and had no idea if I was using good form or not. I had read New Rules of Lifting for Women (NROLFW), which I now think is completely awesome (I'm about half-way through stage 4 now), but it shows you diagrams of every move, so you go, you try it, and if you're not sure whether you did it right, you re-read, review the diagrams, maybe look up some youtube videos, and try again. I promise once you start, you'll get better & better every time. Even when you have setbacks, you'll come back stronger and more confident the time after that.

If you decide to check out NROLFW, there's an awesome group here that you might also be interested in:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/102-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-nrol4w

But when you're ready to start, you just start. Pretty soon, you'll have the confidence to walk in like you own the place! :happy:

debussyschild

A personal trainer could help a lot with that. Especially if they are nice It's hard to find a good one, but if you try a few out and find one you are comfortable with, it helps a lot.

Also, it sounds like the people that go to your gym are generally pretty rude. Just ignore them. Easier said than done, but believe it or not, many of them (even though they appear to be in better shape) may not have a clue about what to do with a free weight. And if they feel the need to be a jerk, they've got issues of their own.

Bottom line: you can't worry about what other people think/say when you're trying to do right by yourself. You don't need their approval to get the body you want or to use the gym. You pay the same member dues they do, and if they continue to harass, get in touch with a manager and report the members. They don't need to be members of a gym if they're going to make it uncomfortable for others to workout there.

shanpwn

It's totally normal to be scared. I didn't feel confident lifting heavy until I started attending a women's college and the gym was primarily (but not entirely) women. The best advice I can give you is if someone says something snarky, they're saying it out of their own self-loathing and a need to make someone feel just as bad about themselves as they do. Don't listen. Tell them to shove it, and do your routine. Don't let someone else's insecurity keep you from becoming strong and healthy.

fjrandol

I have a trainer I'm working with twice a week, so that made the transition to the free weights section of the gym significantly easier on the mind. However, I still occasionally get nervous walking in there by myself. :ohwell: Something thats helped is practicing my form at home in the mirror. Even though I don't have weights at home I can get the feel for what my body should be doing when lifting correctly. I'm better able to mimic it at the gym when I can feel if my shoulder blades are in the right place, or tell if I'm keeping my back straight. Besides, it can't hurt to get a few extra squats in, even if it's just at body weight.

sdowler1231

As a trainer that works primarily with women - your fear is normal. Gyms can be intimidating, especially if you are unfamiliar with the equipment. Working wit a trainer is a great option, even if only for a month or two to help you get acclimated and help build your confidence. As for your previous experience- I'm sorry you had to endure that. Unfortunately, in our society, people can be cruel and not realize the power of their words.
Everyone starts somewhere, and those powerhouses were not born that way - sometimes they forget that! The fact that you are there and taking positive steps toward your health should be celebrated and supported, not criticized. Those that are critical typically have ego issues or their own body image issues. Don't let their words have power over you. Decide and do it for you - not for the approval or acceptance of others.

cherrytulips

Everybody looks like an idiot the first time. Even those huge beasts wandering around the gym. They had to start somewhere. Suck it up.

great advice!

ILoveJesus72

I'm not ashamed to say that a few times I've done things wrong on the weight machines!! LOL I should have asked but I never want to intrude on someone's work out so I just stare @ the machine like a calf looking at a new gate and then try to figure it out.

I should probably ask before I bust a gut embarass myself!

trojanbb

Dont be scared! I love seeing girls workout, regardless of ability. It means they have confidence and are really making an effort to better themselves. Guys like myself probably give the meathead vibe/look in the gym, but I can assure you that most of us really do like seeing girls lifting, and not just because they are eye candy.

Just do it! I remember my first few months in the gym were daunting as well. Just have to suck it up and charge ahead, you wont regret it.

I'd even be thrilled if one of the newer girls sparked up a convo and asked for advice/help. Most of us guys that have been doing this a while really do enjoy spreading the knowledge around.

forevercurvy

I know EXACTLY how you feel. The 24 hour fitness I work out at, is one with 1 level. So the cardio machines are on one side, and the weights are on the other side. The room is literally divided, men versus women lol. The only woman I have seen on weights was with her husband or boyfriend.
I finally built up the "courage" to walk over to a machine, the chest press. The machine was sitted too high, so after looking at around to adjust the seat, I couldn't find it, and walked to the locker room, grabbed my bag and left....very embarrassed lol.

HeidiMightyRawr

As a few others have said, do your research so that you know pretty much what you're doing when you're in there. If you seem confident, and like you know what you're doing then you will stand out less than the girl new, shy and unsure of herself.

Ignore the other guys as best you can, those who make rude comments are idiots! It may be tough but pretty soon there'll be far more guys who respect what you're doing, regardless of the weight, purely because you have a goal and you're working damn hard for it, that the few idiots won't matter any more

When I joined my gym just over 2 years ago, I felt like that too. There are literally no women there, not even fitness model types. I would say it's less than 10 times in all those 2 years that I have seen a woman there (mostly tagging along with bf/husband, or doing cardio)
For about the first year I went ONLY with my bf. But when I started to get really serious about it, and I realised with our work schedules I can't always be there when he is, I basically had to go by myself. Pretty much everyone knows me, there are lots of poser young guys just walking around flexing, but there's also a lot of regulars that are really friendly, helpful and are willing to spot me. You just have to get to know them

If it still stays rude and intimidating after a while of going in there confident with a set goal and working hard, I would change gyms - that is not normal. I would also complain to the manager as I leave.

PeterThompson

the reason why you are in a gym is because you want to get in shape so why be scurred and for sure those people in the gym knows that that is where everybody starts anyway for me what matter most is that after sometime you and them can see some changes http://bestadjustabledumbbellsreviews.com/