Not Hating, Why Do Women Struggle With The Gym?

I am NOT hating. Just asking because this really interests me. IMO it's because they think it's all about running and loosing weight, and it's tied even deeper to their self-image than with men. Not to mention that women are not encouraged to be physically strong/able like men are.

I know many, many women like the gym, but I'm making a general statement here.

Discuss.

I'm a guy, I struggled with the gym too. In fact, i hate those places.

There's a gym outside my front door where nobody gawps at a mirror for 20 minutes and as many miles of road as I could ever wish to run.

:flowerforyou:

Plus I don't want to risk it. My back has never been better since I took up running over12 months ago. Yet when I decided to try lifting at the gym.... I was in more pain & my back ended up worse.

Whilst I appreciate you have an underlying injury concern, how do you know that crappy form hasn't exacerbated the injury? It could be that judicious exercise selection coupled with good form would actually serve to strengthen your back. Just a thought...

I am a reformed gym hater. Honestly, it wasn't the gym I hated, but my body. I didn't want anyone to see mestruggle to learn how to use a machine or tired out super fast on the cardio machines. I was lost there. I couldnt afford a trainer so I had no one to tell me proper form or how to use machines or what plan to use and I felt like I would be a whale in a sea of thin, happpy athletic, fishies. It felt like Jr High Gym Class for the awkward tween. Then my friend who was a little bigger than me talked me in to going. I thought, if she feels safe there and comfortable then I can too. So I went. After a couple times I was less intimidated. Then I would go by myself nad go stright to the cardio machine because I din't look inexperienced if I was just on the elliptical. I would watch the pros and learn how to use machines via them but never got the balls to add them to my work out. What really helped me was taking group classes. Then I felt more comfident to try to things at the gym. Now I am pretty comfortable and have no problem doing weights but I do have anxiety if I am the only woman in the weight room and I am squatting 65 when they are squatting 350.....but I just put my headphones on and keep going!

I've never "struggled with the gym", and I think that's probably down to the fact that I spent a lot of time in them (including weight rooms) throughout my childhood and teenage years, had really active/athletic parents who also spent lots of time in the gym and lifting, and it just was never an uncomfortable or scary place to me. More like just a normal part of our lives, if that makes sense.

I see LOTS of women at gyms everywhere I've trained, so I don't think that women necessarily struggle with the gym. They seem to prefer the group classes, cardio machines, and to a somewhat lesser degree, the weight machines.

I do think a lot of women struggle with free weights and being in that part of the gym, though.

While my own experience has been different, I can understand this avoidance in the abstract. The free weights section is full of guys--some of them quite large and scary looking. They are sweaty and making weird noises sometimes. Some of them are yelling and dropping barbells/dumbbells. The area appears dirty/grubby to varying degrees. There are all sorts of misconceptions about the danger of free weights. The weight plates and barbells look huge and heavy, and are totally imposing compared to the weight stacks on the machines or the weights they might be used to from Body Pump or whatever....it's just a really foreign environment, I guess. And I think stepping into that section or room probably feels sort of like being the new kid in class. Awkward, a bit scary, you aren't really sure how to behave or what to do, you feel like everyone is staring at you and thinking what a dumb *kitten* you are and WTF are you doing there? So it's just easier/more comfortable to stick with the stuff you know. Treadmill, elliptical, group ex classes, etc.

I did stop going to this one part of the free weights section if a certain couple of guys were there. I was doing squats (back before I stopped doing squats), and they were talking about personal stuff/gossiping all the time. I was right beside them. They gave me dirty looks to hurry up (or just that I could overhear them). I'm thinking 'go gossip somewhere else'. They never did. Later, they'd stop their conversation and stare at me the whole time, looking pissed.

I shouldn't have stopped using the equipment right there. I know that. But man it gets tough when someone is trying to intimidate you day after day. I still don't get why you have to stand in a certain spot to gossip and not lift a dam*ed thing. All they ever did is stand around from what I could see. It was a big weight room and usually practically empty. Move! (Or am I wrong in that?)

No clue! I've always felt comfortable in the gym once someone showed me what each machine did (first gym I joined when I was about 20). Before that I always worked out at home so I did mostly circuit training and strength with free weights. Right now I'm back to doing that just to save gas and 'cause I really like not having to get in the car and go to the gym, lol.

I've been to a local gym here in my town, & it wasn't too bad. I have anxiety though, so I prefer working out in my own home. Plus, last time I had gone, there was an older guy staring at my behind while I was doing squats & deadlifts.. And that stuff always bothers me.

I've always felt comfortable in weight rooms and cardio areas but I detest classes. They always seem so clique-ridden, and I don't particularly like been around lots of women. I prefer the company of men

That said I workout at home now and I prefer it as I can dance around like a silly *kitten* to my music between sets

I dont struggle in the gym. I go in there and own everything I do. I do classes and anything else I'd like to try. I love the gym!

I cant grasp it. Lack of confidence?

I dunno. I have a real, "if you dont like it, please bite me at my palest part," attitude. I dont get embarrassed or flustered, so seeing women meltdown at the freeweights makes me stabby.

Then again, im an only child and the only grandchild of my papaw that would hang out with him. So, center of attention complex plus having a "guy time" relationship (hunting, gardening, raising livestock, etc) eith the men in my life has made me much less "delicate flower" than most women.