Loosening Up in the Gym- Ladies

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

I put my headphones in and get to work

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

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.

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.

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:

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.

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 !

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..

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

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.

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!

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..