Why are so many women SCARED of weights? LMAO.
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From the women I know most assume that if you lift weights you'll bulk up and end up looking like a man. Unfortunately a lot of women have this mentality, not really getting the correct information.0
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women associate eights with msucle head guys and think that if they lift weights they will turn into one of them. As we all know thats false. . . plus some women think that classes will help get the results they want where as some weight lifting needs to be done for certain muscles. I think it says more about you (for a woman) to lift weights then to do an easy class. Keep it up!0
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I'm opposite. I hate hate hate hate hate hate cardio.
I get exertion headaches really bad (to the point they can go into a full blown migraine).....so I usually take cardio easy.
Now on the other hand.....I love lifting weights.0 -
Women should NEVER lift more than 3lbs or they will end up looking like men...
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I started lifting almost a year ago. My skin is green, I regularly tear out of my shirts, and I'm prone to bouts of intense anger. *nods* :frown:
LOLOL!!:laugh:0 -
I started lifting almost a year ago. My skin is green, I regularly tear out of my shirts, and I'm prone to bouts of intense anger. *nods* :frown:
Hilarious!0 -
I'm not scared of weights, I'm intimidated by all the muscular people who usually are in that area! I feel like I'd be in the way... or squashed haha. I also feel like I'd be judged if I'm not using them properly. I prefer classes anyway, cuz I need someone telling me what to do and kicking my butt to do it! I get more motivated that way.0
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For me, it’s a matter of intruding on someone else's space and/or time.
Since I don't know how to propperly use it, I stay away rather than ask. It the fear of the unknown.
^ and this!0 -
Why is it funny? I think like anything else it's just a matter of preference. I find it best to focus on myself and not worry about what others in a gym (who are there to better themselves) are doing.
This ^^^0 -
First of all forget the smith machines, they only limit your movements and you don't make full use of your muscles so you end up unbalanced. Squat racks are far more effective.
About your question, it is because of the never ending myth that weight lifting will turn a woman into a female Arnold Schwarzenegger. To make things worse, fitness magazines and media keep on preaching this false myth. Little did they know that a lot of hot female Hollywood celebrities such as Scarlet Johansson, Jessica Biel, Halle Berry etc. actually got their svelte bodies and awesome curves from lifting weights.
In my case, I squat and lunge a 75kg barbell (165 lbs.) and deadlift a 66kg barbell (150 lbs.) but I'm only a size 0-2 and don't look like those roided bodybuilders you see on fitness magazines, not even close.
I use the Smith to squat....just one of the variations. The weight you got up to lifting is awesome...jealous much.0 -
Just curious…
At my gym I’m usually the only woman on the floor w/ weights, I’m the only one uses the Smith machine etc. All of the women are in classes (Zumba, Pilates…more Zumba). Guys are NEVER in classes (with the exception of the 2 or 3 that may go to the spin class). I don’t understand why classes (and the cardio machines) are always overflowing with women but it’s so rare to see one with a dumbbell.
Please explain.
Well, I am the only female in the weight room at my gym as well. I see a few on the smith machines sometimes, but I have been the only one who trains on free weights. I do my squats, deadlifts, o/h presses and bench on the power rack since I am by myself.
As far as why, I can say that on several occasions, men try to make sly/funny to them/breaking the ice? comments to me. Such as- "So I guess you are planning on beating someone up, eh?" or "You gonna start a competition? She's lifting more than he is guys!" or my FAVORITE "The bar alone weighs 45 lbs, you know, so...".
That is why we stay on the treadmill and smith machines. Because men have no idea that they should just shut the hell up and act as if I am just another person in there lifting. And we are already intimidated more than likely to step foot in the weight room where we really have never been welcomed. So who wants to put up with nonsense on top of it?
I hope this changes. Please ladies, join me!!!0 -
When I joined a gym for the first ever time (I was 16) I was very scared of even considering going over to where the "big" guys were pumping weights staring at themselves in the mirror... Not only am I a shy person (before you get to know me) but as there weren't ANY women at all over there I just assumed that that was a "guy" thing to do. My personal trainer didn't even suggest using free weights during my sessions. She just got me on the treadmill, bike and a few of the weight machines but there was no "pushing to failure" with the weights - it actually seemed too easy it got boring. I felt very uncomfortable at that gym.
Now that I am older (24 this year!!! WOOT WOOT) and I know I won't look like those "big" guys, I will be joining a gym (with my sister and brother) and making sure I get some personal training with free weights!0 -
I have given up on trying to understand the behaviour of most women lol
I'm having enough trouble just trying to figure myself out. LOL I don't have the energy to spend on figuring out other women!0 -
I'm opposite. I hate hate hate hate hate hate cardio.
I get exertion headaches really bad (to the point they can go into a full blown migraine).....so I usually take cardio easy.
Now on the other hand.....I love lifting weights.
I enjoy both but I wouldn't stay on the treadmill for an extended period...I'd jog a few miles / alternate speeds and incline but after that...I hit the weights.0 -
Anyone that is intimidated or has no idea what they're doing can usually get a complimentary session with one of the gym trainers to show them what the basics are. No honestly it's not my first choice, especially because I don't like the pushy sales "trainers" at a lot of gyms, but there is always an option of starting somewhere if you are really interested in getting into strength training.
I am a google freak on how to do everything and I used to have a personal trainer so between having sessions with her and looking up endless articles/exercises, etc etc I made up my own routine. There is also an app I was able to get on Android, I don't use it anymore, but it is called JEFit and it will give you a beginner routine and it has a little demo on what to do. If you don't like that exercise, you can sub it out for something else by picking that part of the body.
Anyway, I get bored easily and I honestly got bored with both cardio and regular strength training, so I'm all addicted to CrossFit at the moment.
I also noticed the group-chat thing, which someone mentioned a while back. I was attending an all-female gym for a while and most girls are there with their friends just there for a leisurely chat while half cycling on the bike. It's fine that you want to do that when you go though - it's your time But that could be a reason why they're not interested in the weights because it's social hour I guess idk. 0 -
Not every woman wants to lift weights, and that's okay.
BUT I do find it sad how many women in just this post alone who say they want to lift but are scared, nervous or intimidated. Do your research. Find a good plan like StrongLifts 5x5, Starting Strength, or New Rules of Weight Lifting for Women. IF you have any friends that know how to lift properly go with them (pay a quest fee or whatever at their gym if you have to), let them show you how. Or If you have the money hire a trainer who knows about heavy lifting (and thinks women should do it), ask them questions first, if they start preaching high-reps for toning, DO NOT hire them. Lastly if you can't afford/ find a trainer or a friend watch a ton of Youtube videos on form (the StrongLifts website and the summary here have good links, or google elitelifts, or Mark Ripptoe). Start really low weights, try to take peaks of yourself in the mirror to check form, or take a cell phone video and upload it to MFP for people to critique your form. Once you get you form right, start moving up the weights. Don't worry about what other people think (in life in general, but especially in the weight room). Chances are they won't pay much attention to you anyway.0 -
From the women I know most assume that if you lift weights you'll bulk up and end up looking like a man. Unfortunately a lot of women have this mentality, not really getting the correct information.
To give an honest answer, it's complex and compounded.
1) There's the above misconception, this is a very popular belief and it's perpetuated by the uneducated populous, fluffy magazines that have the newest workout bs that they're shoving down your throat to generate sales, latest and greatest tv shows that people actually believe (think that snake oil slinging Oz), and a miriad of other sources that people incorrectly depend on to be truthful and knowledgable who are actually driven by advertising, sales, or the best of intentions without really knowing what they're talking about or doing extensive research.
2) Lifting is not promoted for women in life or in sports (until you get to college). Growing up I was one of the only girls who opted in for weight lifting over basket weaving for phys ed, and everyone looked at me like I had 3 heads. The boys sports teams were taken in the "football gym" . . . that's what the weight room at my high school was called . . . the "football gym" while the girls sports teams were not. To note, this has made some progress but my niece is graduating from high school this year, she played basketball for 2 of her 4 years, and her team never really hit the weight room.
3) Because of #2, boys are taught how to lift weights. They're taught proper form, how to safely push limits, they're taught a variety of moves, how to log workouts, and science behind some of it. Lack of knowledge makes people shy away from something because you don't want to go in feeling like a fool.
4) Because even when you know what the hell you're doing you will inevitably have some douche bag with chicken legs come over and tell you that you're doing it wrong and you should be sticking to running, cardio classes, and yoga because they fall into the category of #1.0 -
I'm not scared of weights themselves, I'm scared of lifting at the gym. I'm weak and feel embarrassed with my 5 or 8 lb dumbbells that I struggle to use for anything other than bicep curls. Watching dudes lift 10x or more more than me made me feel bad about myself. So I'd stick to the machines but didn't feel like it was a great workout.
Now that I let my membership expire and am working out at home, I'm back to using dumbbells and hoping eventually to get my form correct enough to use the weight bench and barbell at my house.0 -
What if I drop it on my foot?0
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Well, I am the only female in the weight room at my gym as well. I see a few on the smith machines sometimes, but I have been the only one who trains on free weights. I do my squats, deadlifts, o/h presses and bench on the power rack since I am by myself.
As far as why, I can say that on several occasions, men try to make sly/funny to them/breaking the ice? comments to me. Such as- "So I guess you are planning on beating someone up, eh?" or "You gonna start a competition? She's lifting more than he is guys!" or my FAVORITE "The bar alone weighs 45 lbs, you know, so...".
That is why we stay on the treadmill and smith machines. Because men have no idea that they should just shut the hell up and act as if I am just another person in there lifting. And we are already intimidated more than likely to step foot in the weight room where we really have never been welcomed. So who wants to put up with nonsense on top of it?
I hope this changes. Please ladies, join me!!!
Whenever you are new to gym you'll fear looking like a fool whether cardio or weights. You'll feel like everyone is looking at you, like you'd be judged and more often than not...people aren't paying any attention to you. When you first go to an aerobic dance class you can look like a fool because you are unfamiliar with the routine and steps but you'll get the hang of it and be in the front of the class before you know it. Same with anything, weights are no different.
When I first ventured into the weight section, I was immediately under observation...maybe guys stared and wondered WTH is she doing over here? But hey...guys stare at women provacatively girating their hips in the Zumba class too > and there is no shortage of women in there.0 -
<<< Im not scared anymore BUT I get why some people could be (not just women either) , like everyone has said it can be intimidating (especially if there are a lot of meatheads) and if you dont know form etc you could hurt yourself so that becomes daunting
Agreed! It is a matter personal preference for most and if a women does want to start lifting, they are afraid to ask for help or have no idea where to begin; therefore stay in their comfort zone.0 -
What if I drop it on my foot?
I dropped a 35pound weight on my foot. It did hurt. I was unloading it off the rack though and not actually lifting it and yeah, not paying attention. I've never dropped an actually working move on my foot. It doesn't work that way.0 -
One: no one will show me how to properly use them
Two: the weight section is always flooded w/ guys
Three: When I use the weight machines, I HATE the looks I get from the dudes there0 -
Person I am happy that way. Less people mean I don't have to wait when I am in the gym.0
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Because women have been told, from birth that they are weak.
Aww :hugs: I don't know who told you that but it makes me sad.
More so....women are told from birth that it's their *job* to be weak. I remember in church youth group, the youth pastor would ask "the guys" to help move tables together. I remember going off on him, and moving a table by my-damn-self and asking why he assumes that women can't lift a folding table. I embarrassed the crap out of him. My brother told me that I was disrespectful because "you don't speak to the youth pastor that way," and I responded, "He disrespected *ALL* women, and I'm sick of it."
Some women are afraid of being strong. They believe the myth that lifting weights makes you look big or "manly."0 -
It's not that I am afraid of weights or anything. It's more that I don't know how many reps to do, how to do the exercise, how much weight. My gym charges $50 for someone to show you. The other thing is when I do a class the instructor is there to follow. I do a body pump class which is weights in a group setting. I am trying to learn all of the weight exercises and then I will do free weights.0
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What if I drop it on my foot?
The proper form for that is:
1) yell loudly "ma foot, ma foot!!!"
2) pick up foot and grab with hands
3) jump around while performing both 1 & 2
4) lose balance
5) fall over taking a machine with you, all while maintaining 1 & 2 and start alternating between "ma foot" and "ma head"0 -
LOL is that you Tracy? You're hired, I need those 3 lbs to tone up my nose :laugh:Women should NEVER lift more than 3lbs0 -
Not scared of them, just find it so boring to do.0
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Originally I didn't bother with weights because they didn't seem to burn any calories! When I started losing weight two years ago (I'm a slow loser... okay. Don't judge me) my primary concern was calories in - calories out and weight lifting burned such a small amount that I didn't see the point. So I stuck with the cardio which on my HRM showed a huge calorie burn.
Of course now I understand that long term weight lifting WILL help you burn more. I just didn't know that then.
Please don't assume all women avoid weights because of fears of bulking. My reasons were much sillier then that thank you very much.0
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