I went into the big boys gym survived! (question for lads)
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TG no one talked to me... not even a grunt.
Another thing I have to ask while I am here...you know in the middle of the training if you want to get water (fil up the bottle from the fountain)...is it bad form to walk in front of someone who is lifting? What if there is no mirror. Oh, and might I add, I'm scared to walk anywhere near them so I'll need to go to the loo before I go in there again
I guess no one is up for talking. No biggie. Someone will get the nerve eventually.
Don't walk in front of anyone. Just walk behind them or around them. If there's no mirror, I'd still avoid walking in front of them. I don't want a weight dropped on my foot. Weights can still fall off the bar if they're not clipped in properly.
BUT if they're lying down on a bench, then it should be fine.
I'm sure you're over thinking it.0 -
I'm with you on this. Tomorrow is my first day in the boys part of the gym. I am leaving the cute circuit behind and venturing over to the weights and scary machines.
I'm sure its not as bad as I think its going to be.
Good luck, you can do it0 -
I honestly do not pay attention to anybody when I am at the gym. I go and am pretty much in my own world for the entire time. Don't worry about other people, I promise they don't even notice you!0
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The guys don't talk to the other guys in this section either - so I don't think this is an issue of gender. I notice that the women tend to have better form lifting in the "big boys" side of the gym anyway. I see men "squat" and they usually are doing a quarter of half squat - the women tend to perform an actual squat.0
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When I see someone who is "unfit" working out or running or whatever, I always say to myself, way to go! This is really hard at the beginning. It makes me proud of you for being out there and working on yourself. Go for it. We all had to start somewhere.0
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First let me say, I realise both men and women work out in the weights only heavy weights part of my gym... it's just tonight, my first time in there with a trainer, it was all lads. I would say there were 20 there and probably I was the oldest person there by at least 10 years (I'm 43)...
I was in with my trainer who is a cute female in her late 20s I'd guess.
I felt really really uncomfortable training there as they don't really chat and we were talking (because she was training me and it was my first time) and self-conscious. Not that I'm flattering myself into thinking they were looking at me, as I'm sure they have their own ****e to think about and working out is something you need to be focussed for...
but... what do lads think of unfit women in the big weights gym?
I'm hoping that I can go back there again to train and not feel so incredibly out of place, unfit and frankly frightened. It's not like they were going to gang up on me and make me do the plank but I was still so nervous...
any tips from girls who've done it and any lads who have a comment, please, enlighten me and say things that will make me want to try again!
PS I actually got a great workout in terms of form and effort because I felt like I was on the telly!!
I don't care WHAT the big boys think!! I still have 30# to lose before I cross the line from obese to overweight...then another 20 or so to be *healthy*
I have wanted to go in the big boys room for a while. One day I was doing the machines and I saw a lady over there leg pressing. I made a comment to her about wanting to do that *someday* and she showed me how!! The bar alone was 118lbs, and I actually found it to be EASY. The next time I leg pressed, I asked the trainer ( early 20s guy, super cute) to help me load the machine. he put 90# on there ( for a total of 208) and I did it fine!!
I keep hearing that squats are awesome, and the trainer is a big advocate of using weights vs machines...so a few weeks ago I decided to try squatting again ( I tried it like 6 months ago and was SUPER sore, so I quit) and asked the trainer to watch me to make sure my form was good. I can squat a measly 65# right now, but am hoping to be close to 100# by Christmas.
Great job!
Squats are great! Look at videos for form or read Starting Strength. Btw, the bar usually 45lbs for free weight squats. Always start you squats with the bar unloaded.
I asked the trainer
pretty sure he said the bar was 18 or 20lbs and double checked it for me. I told him how much I had been doing on the assisted machine and had him help me load the bar. He's a really sweet kid and always happy to make sure my form is OK or whatever. 0 -
Bumping because I'm 46 years old and starting in a couple of weeks and was wondering about etiquette there. Don't want to piss anyone off because I'm doing something I shouldn't be doing.
Rack your weights......that's pretty much it.
Ok, think I can remember that! Thanks 0 -
compressor pants? sounds painful?0
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compression pants.compressor pants? sounds painful?
they help me with recovery. i dont near as sore when i wear them0 -
Personally, I usually think, "wow great to see that you're there working out - keep it up!"
I think you'll find that those guys that are really big, you know the tatted up monsters that look like they could eat the weights they're lifting? They're usually pretty nice guys that freely give advice if asked when the weights aren't in their hands. Quite a few have helped me. Just smile and enjoy yourself.
Exactly!
I workout at a a dirty, man-filled, free weights/equipment filled gym, that has multiple ufc fighters, strongman contestants, and past/present bodybuilder competitors who workout here evveryday. I've made soooo many friends, who are more than helpful - they're encouraging, and fun to workout with..they have introduced me to a new world of sled pulling, tire flipping, sledge hammer swinging, firehose swinging workouts! I'd never go back to being a cardio girl at the YMCA (no offense to Y members) - my body has built muscles, burnt fat, and toned - my mind has gotten stronger, my heart to excell has never been soooo strong, and my pride has swollen (but not to an unhealthy point). Added bonus, I found out just how much guys like when you work as hard/or harder then them...I've had a few tell me its a major turn on to see the dedication and strength it takes to do what I've been doing.0 -
compression pants.compressor pants? sounds painful?
they help me with recovery. i dont near as sore when i wear them
x2.
They rock.0 -
compression pants.compressor pants? sounds painful?
they help me with recovery. i dont near as sore when i wear them
will research....are they like spanx because I've got those already! lots of them!
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no, like this:
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Personally, I usually think, "wow great to see that you're there working out - keep it up!"
I think you'll find that those guys that are really big, you know the tatted up monsters that look like they could eat the weights they're lifting? They're usually pretty nice guys that freely give advice if asked when the weights aren't in their hands. Quite a few have helped me. Just smile and enjoy yourself.
Exactly!
I workout at a a dirty, man-filled, free weights/equipment filled gym, that has multiple ufc fighters, strongman contestants, and past/present bodybuilder competitors who workout here evveryday. I've made soooo many friends, who are more than helpful - they're encouraging, and fun to workout with..they have introduced me to a new world of sled pulling, tire flipping, sledge hammer swinging, firehose swinging workouts! I'd never go back to being a cardio girl at the YMCA (no offense to Y members) - my body has built muscles, burnt fat, and toned - my mind has gotten stronger, my heart to excell has never been soooo strong, and my pride has swollen (but not to an unhealthy point). Added bonus, I found out just how much guys like when you work as hard/or harder then them...I've had a few tell me its a major turn on to see the dedication and strength it takes to do what I've been doing.
I love this! My gym is more sophisticated and the time I go is mostly students or people who I'm guessing are bouncers by the size of them!
I dread the day one of my male colleagues comes in when I'm there! I saw the partner of a female ex-colleague of mine today...cringe... I'm sure I look different than the last time he saw me at a wedding fairly drunk!0 -
yeah compression pants are like the ones msf74 posted, but damn wouldnt this be a fun outfit to lift in?:laugh:
compression pants.compressor pants? sounds painful?
they help me with recovery. i dont near as sore when i wear them
will research....are they like spanx because I've got those already! lots of them!0 -
Rock it! There is nothing wrong with women in the free weights section. I was there for a session a few days ago, doing bench presses, and a super skinny guy next to me was trying to keep up but failing miserably. Us ladies can rock the weights too when we want to
And even if people stare, let them. I know the guys at my gym are quite friendly - they'll give me the weights to deadlift with when I want to, they'll talk about technique etc and all in all, it's all good. 0 -
I feel you.
I won't go in without my husband. I feel way better having my husband training with me, and I know it's all because I'm overweight and I feel gross. I'm not unfit, I can lift alot... but I just don't feel comfortable by myself (YET!)0 -
So long as you're working hard, nobody cares. Speaking for myself, the only people that annoy me in the weights room are the ones fluttering about doing very little of anything.0
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Up until two weeks ago I was the only girl I'd ever seen in the weights room (my trainer is female though and amazing) and I was intimidated at first, but it's fine. I see a lot if the same guys regularly and they're all really friendly, help me if I need it- like when someone leaves the bar on the floor with 200 pounds on it and I'm struggling to move it all- let me jump in and do my sets during their rests and I've even had a couple of compliments :-) Enjoy it!0
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but... what do lads think of unfit women in the big weights gym?
We don't. Just like we don't about unfit men in the big weights gym. We don't think about fit people either. The only thing we think about is how awesome we are going to look after we finish the 18th set of bicep curls in the big weights gym. Come on in and get your workout on. And don't be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it.0 -
Don't you all feel the love in the room here tonight? Big group hug? 0
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Up until two weeks ago I was the only girl I'd ever seen in the weights room (my trainer is female though and amazing) and I was intimidated at first, but it's fine. I see a lot if the same guys regularly and they're all really friendly, help me if I need it- like when someone leaves the bar on the floor with 200 pounds on it and I'm struggling to move it all- let me jump in and do my sets during their rests and I've even had a couple of compliments :-) Enjoy it!
LIKE0 -
but... what do lads think of unfit women in the big weights gym?
We don't. Just like we don't about unfit men in the big weights gym. We don't think about fit people either. The only thing we think about is how awesome we are going to look after we finish the 18th set of bicep curls in the big weights gym. Come on in and get your workout on. And don't be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it.
Curlbro!0 -
I don't think anyone really pays attention for the most part. Its only annoying when people are doing stupid things in the space that you'd like to use. Like the person doing curls in the squat rack or sit ups on the bench.0
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So long as you're working hard, nobody cares. Speaking for myself, the only people that annoy me in the weights room are the ones fluttering about doing very little of anything.
This annoys me too. I feel like they always find a way to get in your way then its an "oops sorry am I in your way!?" every 5 minutes.0 -
I was the only female at the gym yesterday afternoon. It feels strange at first but gets easier being on the "boy's side". Everyone is really nice and just focused on getting their workout done.0
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I lift at home now but when I lifted at the gym, I would characterize it like this..
The gym I went to had a lot of regular which turned into spotters, unofficial training help, etc. As a result, new people were noticed. It was obvious some of the new people were experienced lifters from other gyms and some were newbies.
In regards to the newbies, I definitely paid attention to them durinng rest periods and weight switching. The things i noticed were more about were they taking it seriously, were they working on their form, were they pushing themselves with their weight levels or were they spending their time mailing it in, chatting, etc. If they were serious, you can bet your bottom dollar that I hoped they would come back and keep going. If they were half-arsing it, you can bet your bottom dollar I hoped I never saw them in there again until they found their determination (note that I wanted them back once they found their determination).
If it was clear you were working hard, I'd even be likely to offer you a spot if I saw you struggle a bit with your last set. Anything I can do to help you push yourself would be worth it and I'd want the others to do the same for me. If you asked for something, I'd be more than happy to help if I could. Others did the same for me and it should be repaid.0 -
but... what do lads think of unfit women in the big weights gym?
We don't. Just like we don't about unfit men in the big weights gym. We don't think about fit people either. The only thing we think about is how awesome we are going to look after we finish the 18th set of bicep curls in the big weights gym. Come on in and get your workout on. And don't be afraid to ask for help whenever you need it.
Curlbro!
just not in the squat rack when other people are waiting, mmmkay?0 -
Ack I am so sorry...I just read that it's a question for lads...oops!! I just could identify with what you are feeling.0
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Ack I am so sorry...I just read that it's a question for lads...oops!! I just could identify with what you are feeling.
given the recent shenanigans, i shouldn't have written the lads...that question is for everyone but as today there were no women there..i wondered...
and thanks for answering!0
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