Terrified Newbie here. Hi all!
spicy618
Posts: 2,114 Member
Hi ladies,
I've read NROL and Strong Lifts 5 x 5 and guess what? Everytime i go into the gym to start a strength training program, I'm so scared of free weights that I get on a cardio machine and don't get off until my hour is up. :laugh: :sad: I've reached my goal weight a few times and i'm never satisfied with what i see in the mirror.
Today, I read SL again... everytime i read "squat rack", "asking someone to spot me" or "pull-up", my heart starts racing and i begin to talk to myself... "start with cardio and then work your way into the weights" :laugh: Which never happens.
I'm fine with doing a class for strength training, but those usually start about an hour after I've arrived at the gym. I know, why don't i just go an hour later? If i stop at home, there will be something/someone that will cause me to put it off. :frown:
I feel so much more comfortable doing dumbells in the corner.
or even the barbels with the weights already built into the bar. But stronglifts states, it must be in some sort of Rack.... that word terrifies me. Have any of you ladies started with the barbels i mentioned and no spotting? Those 2 things are what keep me from the weights.
Excuse my rambling. I'm just really wanting to find some people who were, where i am today and made it past these issues. I really want to leave the cardio for recreation and concentrate on weights, but don't want to spin my wheels and then hate weights.
Thanks in advance for your time and responses. :flowerforyou:
PS. I'm going to lunch now, so i will read any responses when i return. :flowerforyou:
I've read NROL and Strong Lifts 5 x 5 and guess what? Everytime i go into the gym to start a strength training program, I'm so scared of free weights that I get on a cardio machine and don't get off until my hour is up. :laugh: :sad: I've reached my goal weight a few times and i'm never satisfied with what i see in the mirror.
Today, I read SL again... everytime i read "squat rack", "asking someone to spot me" or "pull-up", my heart starts racing and i begin to talk to myself... "start with cardio and then work your way into the weights" :laugh: Which never happens.
I'm fine with doing a class for strength training, but those usually start about an hour after I've arrived at the gym. I know, why don't i just go an hour later? If i stop at home, there will be something/someone that will cause me to put it off. :frown:
I feel so much more comfortable doing dumbells in the corner.
or even the barbels with the weights already built into the bar. But stronglifts states, it must be in some sort of Rack.... that word terrifies me. Have any of you ladies started with the barbels i mentioned and no spotting? Those 2 things are what keep me from the weights.Excuse my rambling. I'm just really wanting to find some people who were, where i am today and made it past these issues. I really want to leave the cardio for recreation and concentrate on weights, but don't want to spin my wheels and then hate weights.
Thanks in advance for your time and responses. :flowerforyou:
PS. I'm going to lunch now, so i will read any responses when i return. :flowerforyou:
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Replies
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Several people have started with dumbbells especially if they can't lift the oly bar at the start. I'll let them give you advice on that. And I completely know what you mean about being scared. I was going to start at the new year, and it took me a week or two to actually approach the squat rack. I went almost as soon as they opened on a Sunday morning figuring there wouldn't be many people around. A lot of people are at church or hung over at that time, so it was perfect
Then, once I did it, doing it again didn't bother me. I still go early in the morning because my gym only has one squat rack and I don't want to rotate through since I'm doing relatively low weights or wait in line. 0 -
I was scared when I first started. I go Tuesday and Thursday in the evening and then Saturday in the afternoon. I still like Saturday the best because there aren't too many people in the weight room. It can be hard to figure out the weights sometimes but you'll figure it out!0
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Thank you Ladies,
I'm glad I'm not alone. Going in early on a weekend sounds like a great idea. :flowerforyou:
Good to know that dumbbells are not a total No Go. I thought about it during lunch and decided i'm going to squat with the 20lb barbell (with the weighs built into it) and try to use the same to do the Bench Press. Inverted Row, Push ups and reverse crunch i feel comfortable doing. Maybe not the inverted rows so much because i have to be in Men's Zone... :laugh:
Thanks again. Hopefully, I'll have good stuff to report tomorrow. 0 -
I started all lifts except deadlift with a studio (unweighted) bar. I'm still using it for OHP and BP. Squats I maxed out the studio bar (40lbs), discovered I can't safely lift the Olympic bar to my shoulders and switched to dumbbells. My personal preference is to squat with the dumbbells, between my knees...if nothing else it keeps my knees out like Mehdi says!
I'm graduating to rows with the Oly bar on Weds. Deadlifts I seem to have started with some freakishly strong muscles cos I started at 95lbs. Others have started lighter though!0 -
Don't be afraid! If you are really that nervous, I would recommend hiring one of the trainers at your gym for half an hour to an hour to show you how to use the equipment. Once you've touched it once it's not so scary.0
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Is it horrible gym form to use the barbells that are a set weight in the squat rack? Should I be squatting with these barbells in another spot so as not to take up the squat rack?
Thinking about doing SL and trying to navigate everything. Can't lift 45 at this point so need an alternative until I can.0 -
Hi ladies,
I've read NROL and Strong Lifts 5 x 5 and guess what? Everytime i go into the gym to start a strength training program, I'm so scared of free weights that I get on a cardio machine and don't get off until my hour is up. :laugh: :sad: I've reached my goal weight a few times and i'm never satisfied with what i see in the mirror.
THIS!!! IS ME!!!! I'm so glad you posted - ready to try this for the first time today and am already mentally talking myself out of just hopping on the treadmill.0 -
Hey thanks for the replies. I hadn't checked this thread in awhile. :flowerforyou:
@ccmandel - I was not going to take the barbel in the squat rack. Just do it freestyle with it on my shoulders... from previous attempts, I can handle up to 25 lbs. After all the stuff I hear on here about not doing anything but squatting in the squat rack, i would never do it. :laugh: Thanks and Keep up the great work. At least you already in motion. :drinker:0 -
Since I began this post I've been to the gym about 5 or 6 times and I've been admiring the "rack" from afar... the stairmaster to be exact. :laugh: I did some biceps and triceps on the machine... but it's closer to the "rack" than the stairmaster is, so I'm making progress.
I admire all you ladies that have made strengthtrainig part of your workout. I'm going to be like you too. :flowerforyou:0 -
Don't be afraid! If you are really that nervous, I would recommend hiring one of the trainers at your gym for half an hour to an hour to show you how to use the equipment. Once you've touched it once it's not so scary.
^^^ this!0 -
When I was using preloaded barbells, I used them off the rack platform, since I didn't need it to load them or for safety reasons. HOWEVER, there came a point where I couldn't lift the barbell for the OHP anymore, and I am irrationally terrified of cleaning it :laugh: so that's when I moved my OHP to the rack. Eventually, you are going to feel like you need it. NOW, I use preloaded bars for some of my warm-ups, and since I'm in the rack for most of my workout, I do bring the baby bars onto the platform for my few warm-up sets.
Spicy, you need to get your butt into the weight room! :laugh: Maybe start with the lift that seems simplest to you (bench maybe, or OHP or squat with a very light preloaded bar) and do it. You will feel so much better once you do.0 -
so what exactly is it that you are scared of? Is it the actual weights? Is it that people will judge you? I think you should figure out whats so scary so you can address it.0
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When I was using preloaded barbells, I used them off the rack platform, since I didn't need it to load them or for safety reasons. HOWEVER, there came a point where I couldn't lift the barbell for the OHP anymore, and I am irrationally terrified of cleaning it :laugh: so that's when I moved my OHP to the rack. Eventually, you are going to feel like you need it. NOW, I use preloaded bars for some of my warm-ups, and since I'm in the rack for most of my workout, I do bring the baby bars onto the platform for my few warm-up sets.
Spicy, you need to get your butt into the weight room! :laugh: Maybe start with the lift that seems simplest to you (bench maybe, or OHP or squat with a very light preloaded bar) and do it. You will feel so much better once you do.
Thanks sarah,
You are absolutely right, I must bite the bullet and DO it. I'm preparing myself. :flowerforyou: I have a plan. Monday I'm doing the Group Lift Class at 4:30 and the rest of the week, I'm on my own. Thanks for the words of encouragement from all of you. 0 -
so what exactly is it that you are scared of? Is it the actual weights? Is it that people will judge you? I think you should figure out whats so scary so you can address it.
It's quite silly actually.
I'm afraid of people looking at me, while i'm doing it WRONG, is the main reason. However, the fear of Failing is just as strong. The fear of starting it and not following through and beating myself about it. The Fear of starting it and feeling the soreness and not having the results i wish for (I am 45 and was overweight most of my teenage years, so very loose skin).
I know, I know... but i told you I have issues. :laugh: One thing I do know about myself, when I set my mind on something it will take me a lot of thinking, researching and preparing but it will happen eventually. I guess i'm a bit of a Perfectionist... which i don't like. :ohwell:
Coming here is getting me really excited though. :flowerforyou:
Have a Great Weekend ladies!0 -
Don't be afraid! If you are really that nervous, I would recommend hiring one of the trainers at your gym for half an hour to an hour to show you how to use the equipment. Once you've touched it once it's not so scary.
I don't trust the trainers in that location. I've been going to that gym for over 5 years and the One trainer that i will trust, is a stuck up Ahole... :laugh:0 -
Hi Spicy!
I started stronglifts (and weight training at all) for the first time last week.
I know exactly how you feel, it took me two goes to get into my gyms free weights room the first day. It's a very "macho area" and always seems to be quite busy so it can be pretty intimidating.
The first time I walked in and some of the guys turned to look at me: I paniced turned around and walked out! I went upstairs to the lighter free weights area where it was mostly women working out but after 1 session I'd maxed out on the weights available there. I had to use the "bro room" if I was going to improve.
So I watched mehdi's full session videos in you tube:
Sesson A:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP2g3Sj3qSw
Session B:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro3Mh9o7JPU
Until I felt confident with the movements themseleves (practicing unweighted while watching him work) and focused on how he racked and un-racked the weights.
The next day I went back to the gym I walked straight up to the squat rack and gave it a go! And yes my form is no where near perfect yet, but as I looked around the gym I saw very few people with good form. Once you're inside the bubble you realise that however they may look from the outside, no one is really 100% perfect at this. Everyone is just learning.
You can do it! Just take the plunge. Once you're in you'll see that the water's fine! I'm on session 4 this weekend and I'm really enjoying it! Starting free weights was one of the best decisions I ever made. 0 -
Group lift class? That's awesome that your gym has one!!
You are absolutely right, I must bite the bullet and DO it. I'm preparing myself. :flowerforyou: I have a plan. Monday I'm doing the Group Lift Class at 4:30 and the rest of the week, I'm on my own. Thanks for the words of encouragement from all of you.0 -
Hi Spicy!
I started stronglifts (and weight training at all) for the first time last week.
I know exactly how you feel, it took me two goes to get into my gyms free weights room the first day. It's a very "macho area" and always seems to be quite busy so it can be pretty intimidating.
The first time I walked in and some of the guys turned to look at me: I paniced turned around and walked out! I went upstairs to the lighter free weights area where it was mostly women working out but after 1 session I'd maxed out on the weights available there. I had to use the "bro room" if I was going to improve.
So I watched mehdi's full session videos in you tube:
Sesson A:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP2g3Sj3qSw
Session B:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro3Mh9o7JPU
Until I felt confident with the movements themseleves (practicing unweighted while watching him work) and focused on how he racked and un-racked the weights.
The next day I went back to the gym I walked straight up to the squat rack and gave it a go! And yes my form is no where near perfect yet, but as I looked around the gym I saw very few people with good form. Once you're inside the bubble you realise that however they may look from the outside, no one is really 100% perfect at this. Everyone is just learning.
You can do it! Just take the plunge. Once you're in you'll see that the water's fine! I'm on session 4 this weekend and I'm really enjoying it! Starting free weights was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Thank you for that encouragement Holli. :flowerforyou: I felt joy for you, just reading it.:bigsmile:
You are so right. At the class tonight, not everyone had good form and I was lifting the same weight as most others were. I didn't feel out of place.
Although, i'm not doing the program yet. I know practicing with a group of people is going to give me the confidence to go in the Bro Room".
Look forward to hearing about your progress. 0 -
Hello! Glad I could be of help! :flowerforyou:
Your weights class sounds awesome! I'm glad to hear you're enjoying it! I wish my gym had something like that.
I've had a great (read "painful") weekend!:laugh: I met up with my sister at the gym and she kicked my *kitten* on my lifting form. I've decided to drop back a couple of kgs just to really get my squats up to scratch and then I'll get back on to building up my weights.
She also had a great tip for me to help me improve my form in bench press: I have to do it on the stability ball rather than the bench so that only my shoulders are supported. This forces me to keep my core tight (otherwise I fall over! Tough love!).
Not keeping my core engaged is my number vice!
Can't wait to hear how you're doing! Keep it up!0 -
p.s. Guess who finally found the smiley button? 0
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I think we let our minds get in the way.
I've done Stronglifts A! There are virtually no women in my gym that are doing this. I started saying to myself...who cares?
I just walked up to one guy and asked him to spot me for my first bench press. He was only happy to help and it was just the lift I needed.
Getting ready for B on Wednesday!
You can do it too!
Susan0 -
I think we let our minds get in the way.
I've done Stronglifts A! There are virtually no women in my gym that are doing this. I started saying to myself...who cares?
I just walked up to one guy and asked him to spot me for my first bench press. He was only happy to help and it was just the lift I needed.
Getting ready for B on Wednesday!
You can do it too!
Susan
I did Workout A yesterday..luckily I had hubby there to show me what to do...And I did do the mom stare down for the young adult "dudes" hogging the squat rack..only took about 3 min before they discovered they could do their barbell lunges elsewhere
I felt good last night but woke up with sore shoulders this morning!!!0 -
I did it. I'm sore. :sad: :laugh:
I'm scared of Wednesday. :noway:
@Holli - So good you have your sister to keep you in good form. :happy: We are sore together today. Glad you found the
@Mandel - You are a BadAss woman. Nothing is getting in your way of Sexy. :drinker:
@ Lorigan - Real nice that you have your husband to back you up. That should keep you focused.
Make it a great day!0 -
Spicy - once I got up and moving around my shoulders loosened up a lot! I think you (and I) will be fine by Wednesday.0
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.And I did do the mom stare down for the young adult "dudes" hogging the squat rack..only took about 3 min before they discovered they could do their barbell lunges elsewhere
Mom stare down! I love it!0 -
Yay! Well done Spicy!
The next couple of days after your first go at heavier lifting will hurt but in a good way. It's a proud ache!
You won't get this as bad after every session! 0 -
Hello Again all,
I posted a few months ago and i was welcomed with open arms. :flowerforyou:
I was so afraid of starting to lift because i thought i would fail.
With reading a lot of your posts I worked up the courage and started the program. I was doing pretty good. I was squatting 40 lb. OHP - 30, Deadlift 50, and rows 35 lbs and benching 35. I felt like i would never up my weights or get the the "Rack".
I ran across a thread that suggested finding out about Personal Training at the University. I did and that was all I needed.
Started with the trainer on April 29th. Told him i want to LIFT HEAVY and gave him the 5 x 5 program. :happy:
I've been seeing him 3 days a week.
My new numbers are:
OHP = 65
Bench = 55
Deadlift = 115
Squating in the "Rack" not the SMith. = 95
Rows = 55
After the workout I climbed the RockWall for the first time in my LIFE. Made it all the way to ring the BELL! :drinker: I'm 44 :blushing: I'm loving this feeling.
Not big numbers, but all weights I didn't think i could lift. The trainer has really pushed me to try things i was afraid of doing on my own. If you can afford to, and you are a bit intimidated by the weights, a trainer will really help. I only have one cause it was at a discounted rate.
Just wanted to thank you all for the encouragement, information, and motivation by just being in this group and sharing your ups, downs and Success. Thank You! :flowerforyou:
I will be signing up for 12 more sessions, This round will be 2 times a week and I can handle the rest on my own. :bigsmile:
I haven't measured again or weighed myself. I'm going to wait till the 3 month mark and make sure i've given it a good time for my body to adapt to all this new strength.
Wishing you all continued success. :flowerforyou:
I lurk more than post. :laugh:0 -
Thank you for posting back and letting us know - this was really awesome to read0
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Great work and glad you got over your fear!0
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Hi Spicy!
I started stronglifts (and weight training at all) for the first time last week.
I know exactly how you feel, it took me two goes to get into my gyms free weights room the first day. It's a very "macho area" and always seems to be quite busy so it can be pretty intimidating.
The first time I walked in and some of the guys turned to look at me: I paniced turned around and walked out! I went upstairs to the lighter free weights area where it was mostly women working out but after 1 session I'd maxed out on the weights available there. I had to use the "bro room" if I was going to improve.
So I watched mehdi's full session videos in you tube:
Sesson A:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP2g3Sj3qSw
Session B:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ro3Mh9o7JPU
Until I felt confident with the movements themseleves (practicing unweighted while watching him work) and focused on how he racked and un-racked the weights.
The next day I went back to the gym I walked straight up to the squat rack and gave it a go! And yes my form is no where near perfect yet, but as I looked around the gym I saw very few people with good form. Once you're inside the bubble you realise that however they may look from the outside, no one is really 100% perfect at this. Everyone is just learning.
You can do it! Just take the plunge. Once you're in you'll see that the water's fine! I'm on session 4 this weekend and I'm really enjoying it! Starting free weights was one of the best decisions I ever made.
^^^^^^^ Exactly what I did and love it! ^^^^^^^0
