A queston for ladies who use the barbell

Sorry that dude was sort of douchey. Maybe he meant after you started adding more lifts? (in addition to the deadlift, that is)

Most guys are too excited to see a woman in the free weights section to make a comment like that. All of the men that I have encountered have been very helpful and encouraging.

I don't wear gloves, because I don't like the feel of them. But, it's personal preference. If you want to wear them, feel free to do so without shame

I don't wear gloves and I have the toughest, thick callouses. Not only where my fingers connect to the rest of my hand, but I have a second row about an inch below those and on the inside of my thumb because I use a hook grip and have long fingers. I don't think they're gross. I think they're useful. I can climb trees, fences, etc. like a monkey and grip just about anything. Callouses develop for a reason, to protect your hands and reduce pain. I just rock 'em.

I don't worry about what other people think when I'm at the gym, unless I've just done something dumb like trip over my own feet. But lifting things? That's not dumb.

It helps to interpret things in the best possible light. He could have meant doing more lifts, or heavier weight, or more reps, or just misspoke, and meant that NOW that you were doing proper lifting you'd be happy to have them. Or he could have been a douche. Pick the one that makes you happiest.

I don't use gloves because I don't like them, but I do use straps, which look even sillier when you're lifting something other people would think of as light. But they're my hands, so it's not really anyone else's business.

Oh.. I love my hot pink and black gloves and have never gotten any grief over them.... I think they are hot

I don't wear gloves. Not because I think I'm not hardcore enough to need them, but because I don't give a *kitten* about callouses. If you don't want callouses, wear gloves. Even lifting just the bar would give you callouses. If I was ripping open my callouses on a regular basis or cared, I would totally rock some gloves. (I lift at home, though, so only my judgemental cats would make comment.s I'm sure my kid and dog wouldn't care. )

It seems that maybe he was trying to give you a compliment, but came out extra douchey. I'm not sure. You just gotta do what works for you and keep lifting! Gloves or no!

I'm betting he was actually impressed to see a lady lifting weights! Based on the rest of his conversation with you, I'd say he was trying to be friendly.

Who cares? You ARE a newer lifter. You do your thing. Do it in a way that works for you. Wear your gloves, lift your weights, and own your space.

My thoughts exactly. I also use my gloves because i don't wanna touch the same bar a sweaty person has touched male or female. Not to mention a lady should not have ratchet hands!

I use gloves, i find they keep me focused on what i want to get done, were as without them i found 'flounce off' and do treadmill

I dont think he was being a douche, i think he was trying to flirt with you.

Men in the weight training rooms are relatively friendly, One came over and asked did i want to use his weights when i was thinking of weight selection, the ones he offered where heavier than the ones i had.

its almost like getting offered a seat on a busy bus cause you're a 'lady'.

i'm just gonna say i'd bet money he wanted to flirt with you. if you need to use them, just do it. if someone approaches you about it and makes you uncomfortable, you're entitled to give them a frosty look and turn back to your lifting.

I always wear gloves. Those metal barbells/dumbells are MURDER on the hands. I think he was flirting.

I wear gloves when I lift so I can lift longer without my hands hurting. The guys at the gym snicker if they have never seen me lift before, but usually that only lasts about 30 mins when they see that I AM STILL LIFTING! I use kettlebells, barbells, and the smith machine for my arm and leg workouts. AND I LOVE TO DEADLIFT! I am up to 50lbs and very excited.

I wouldn't worry about what ppl think at the gym, ESPECIALLY WHAT MEN THINK. Unfortunately, men are not that smart. They wish their own significant others lifted and had the drive you did. Kudos to you!

I wear gloves, my hands get sweaty and I can't grip without them. No comments so far. :glasses:

Why would you feel embarassed? I take that he thinks you are smart for wearing gloves , I wear gloves all the time kills my hands if I don't plus I hate the smell

Don't sweat it.
That guy was probably trying to find a way to talk to you. It does sound like he was trying brag and get attention from you. I'd try to take it as a compliment even though what he said may have come off as condescending. Guys sometimes say really stupid things I've noticed. I started lifting when I was 16 for conditioning reasons. I'm a dancer and wanted to be in the best possible shape when I entered my college dance program. Guys in the gym typically though will be friendly and impressed I think by women who lift. That's been my experience. I was benchpressing one time and put way too much weight on and two big guys had to help lift it off of me. That was embarassing! I didn't ever want to go back to the gym after that happened! But I did.

I haven't been lifting for several months, but when I started lifting I used gloves. After a couple of years of lifting I made the decision not to use gloves any more because I felt I had a better grip and connection with the barbell without gloves. I lifted medium to heavy 3 times a week and did get some calluses. But I was proud of them! Proof of building a stronger and healthier body.

Keep up the great work!

Kelly