Loosening Up in the Gym- Ladies

breeshabebe

So... last night, I was totally excited about doing a few circuits with weightlifting, jump-roping, step-up's etc. and I get to the gym and it's totally packed out. In normal fashion, all the men were on the weightlifting side of the gym and all of the women were on treadmills/ ellipticals. When I went into the "men side," I felt like a total alien! Most men have that 30-60 second resting period where they are walking around a bit... talking with the other guy thats resting. It took me about 2 minutes of awkwardness to take my walk of shame back to the treadmill! So instead of getting this super awesome workout, I (maybe) burned 200 calories on the treadmill.

So just curious, ladies... how do you loosen up at the gym on the "guys side"? I know these guys aren't even close to caring what I am doing but I totally feel uncomfortable when it's packed out like that.

I did try to get a really good workout in on the treadmill. I learned this circuit for the treadmill : http://youtu.be/GVxoP3Fy4TQ

jayche

Don't think of it as the "guys side", you belong there as much as they do.

Bumbeen

Unfortunate. And they're all going to try to help you with your form and probably will be incorrect. Ugh. It must suck to be a female trying to lift.

tinad120

I put my headphones in and get to work

PonyTailedLoser

It may feel awkward at first but eventually you will be at ease over there. It is everyones side

Starleng

I don't focus on them. I focus on my needs and go for it.

DopeItUp

How do you loosen up - maybe have a few drinks prior?

Really, what kind of answer are you really looking for here? You just have to suck it up and do it. Worst case, go at a time when no one else is there.

laughingdani

I workout at home. But sometimes I go to the gym with a girl friend. We only stay in the weight lifting section.
We just walk in like we own the place and get to work.

josavage

Find a friend to work out with you or do a session or two with the trainer. Once you are confident in what you are doing, you will have no problem working out with the guys. The other thing that helped my confidence was a weight lifting class. I learned proper form and had a good base of what to do for each body part.

breeshabebe

I definatly agree- it's everyones side... I pay for it just like they do! I saw one lady going to town on that side and I was totally envious!

jrowens3224

I went with my husband for the first couple times...now I'm pretty comfortable going by myself. Do you have a friend (female or male) you could go with at first?

HeidiMightyRawr

I used to go with my bf in the beginning - he introduced me to weights. After a while we couldn't always go together because of our work schedules so I just had to suck it up and go by myself. It's hard at first but it does get easier, promise

Maybe start off going when it's not so busy. Get a feel for the weights and all the exercises and then once you feel more comfortable, and it becomes more of your routine (you just HAVE to go, mentality) then you can start going when there's more crowds.

ChristyRunStarr

Don't think of it as the "guys side", you belong there as much as they do.

Exactly!

Next time, just go and do your thing. Don't think about how anyone else is talking, just think about your next rep and do your own little walk around while you're waiting.

Gemalar

I just head into the weights section (which is pretty much the "guys side") and smile, I have just as much right to be there as anyone else, an I figure that they are too busy doing their own workout to be bothered about me being in there. :bigsmile:

Erienneb

I belong to a large gym chain and the weight lifting area always intimidated me. People were rude when I would ask if they were done with a piece, they refused to share even if they were doing a circuit...all that jazz.

I joined a cheap gym with my best female friend so we could lift together. Even when there's guys there we just walk in like we own it and I've never felt uncomfortable there at all.

Yanicka1

I love being the only woman in the free weight part of the gym. I really feel at home. I say you have to put your big girl panties on and fake it until you feel it.

FullOfWin

We won't bite

verptwerp

Are you used to lifting at all ? You might get a personal trainer to get you started ..... that's what I did ...... it will cost some $$, but you'll get used to lifting & the "guys" will get used to seeing you there ..... just saying ......

Good luck !

motherbetty

I totally understand what the OP is saying. The guys DO act like they own the place and it's awkward for us. I pretty much retreat to the treadmills, too. It sucks.

mgmlap

i never feel that way. I pay just as much as the "men" do..so I use the weight room without any issue. I think its neat seeing what workouts everyone is doing..adding different stuff to my workout..

breeshabebe

Bringing a friend sounds good. I take a few classes at my gym and I'm sure that I could talk one of them into weight lifting with me. I think that once I get comfortable in there and know where everything is at and what I'm doing, then I'll feel more like I own it and can do it alone. Right now I'm kinda wandering around with a peice of paper in my hand (with my work outs) trying to find the right weights and all.

lacurandera1

I just do it, which is what you will have to do, too, if weights are something you want to do. it helps to know wtf you're doing. i started at home with a handful of plates and a cheap bar. I learned most of my form from my bf (but there's a wealth of proper form info on the interweb, too) and I do things right. So i'm pretty confident in what I'm doing. I didn't feel like a "beginner" when I started going to a gym. You can always practice form and lifts at home (even without weights!) so that you feel like you know what you're doing when you go there.

If you're informed and doing things right, no one is going to wonder what that chick is doing on the guy's side. As a matter of fact, the other day, a random bro looked at me after i did a set of deadlifts and said "You're the only person in this gym I've ever seen doing those right, and I've been coming here for over a year." I was elated.

Mainly, I pay attention to what I'm doing. Which is what the dudes should be doing, too. Unless they want to complement my form. lol

ericarae33

Don't think of it as the "guys side", you belong there as much as they do.

This exactly...just do it...most gyms will also include a training session, maybe ask one to show you some moves so you feel more comfortable?

DavPul

I'm glad that you've decided to add free weights to your routine. Perhaps when you stop thinking of it as the "guy's side" you'll be more comfortable in there. I've yet to see a gym where they hang a MEN'S sign over the free weight section (altho I have seen many gyms have a women's only workout room).

Start thinking of it the "Magic" side and go over there and make the magic happen. No one will bite you and everyone will be nice to you and willing to help you if you ask them. Trust me on this.

n_unocero

I put my headphones in and get to work

yup!! just walk your cute little but back there, load some weights, and lift! The guys won't bother you...

Iron_Duchess

Oh, I so totally understand! Is that sense of, you don’t belong here… like walking into a classroom and seating just to find out that the “chair belongs” to someone else because everybody is looking at your “wrong”… Yeah. Well, this is what I did. I looked at my husband in the eye, pointed at him and said, “I don’t care is we have to go to the gym after work when I’m supposed to be cooking , that is the only time you have to go with me and we are going! You will be my spotter, change my plates, and introduce me to the area. After I find my rhythm we can go back to going at separate times!” You know what? It worked. He is going with me and likes it, I guess he like the idea of bossing me around. Anyways, find someone to go with you at the beginning or hire a trainer for one session to show you around. It helps. Good luck!

OkieTink

I belong to a stinky gym, not a "health club" so we don't have "sides". But if we did I'd go in and show them how it's done

breeshabebe

Thanks, y'all! I need to "man up" and do this!

BrittKnee_Rae

I just blare the music and focus on myself! Mostly men in my gym too.. So I know how you feel!! But gotta do what cha gotta do and you will get used to it!!! No one ever said that weights are FOR MEN, so its not just there side.. I'm sure those guys would agree that you are just as welcome to use them!!! HAVE FUN, and you'll be fine!

SARRY562

Just remember when at the gym you are there for your self and for change.. Dont care what they think.. just remember oneday you will be lifting the same as them if you keep it up and look good doing it..

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