I am the woman in the freeweights section of the gym

Great post OP, this is brilliant. I am usually the only woman in the freeweights area of the gym too. All the regulars are really lovely, offer to help if I appear to be struggling with something, will work in with me if its busy and are generally some of the nicest people I speak to. They treat me like one of them, and yea occasionally if my form is off they will correct me but I am happy with that as it stops me from injuring myself.

I do get the odd stare every now and again but I just smile and carry on, power through with the music in my ears.

Thanks for posting this OP.

Awesome post, Bean! I haven't been in the weight room yet, but I will by Tuesday, for sure. I am a little nervous, because I didn't see any girls in there during the tour, but I kinda know what I'm doing, so I'l be ok. This was a great read! *sodastreamforyou*

This is a great post. I don't see why some women are so intimidated of the weight floor. Yes, it's usually dominated by men but in all reality...no one cares what you are doing. People are focused on THEIR workout, not yours. People shouldn't be self conscious of their workouts, just do what you do and do it at your best!

Lots of women work out in the free weight section of my gym. Actually, at every gym I've been to.

Also men don't go up to you and tell you what to do. At least I've never seen it happen.

Some will, certainly (I've personally had it happen), and it's generally not out of any other feeling than trying to be helpful -- even when their help is wrong or their approach is a little abrasive. They do it, in part, because they respect you and don't want to see you get hurt, which can happen regardless of gender if your form is wrong.

Man, I gotta tell ya, if I was a chick and some guy did that to me, I'd tell them off.

I've had bros give me advice, I tell them to shove it.

I've been a member of my gym for two years and have been too scared to go in the free weight area. I'm meeting a trainer tomorrow to learn basic weight lifting techniques and hope to soon be the girl in the weight room.

Thanks for your post!

That's why books like Starting Strength are so invaluable because they provide the knowledge in terms of program design and correct execution of exercises to walk into a weight room with more confidence and success.. I've met quite a few women who educated themselves through the book and were doing deadlifts and barbell squats properly after just a month or two of training. In contrast, I still see men performing these exercises improperly despite having more training experience. Ladies belong there just as much as the men.

bump. love it.

Just as a little side note to those who are afraid of joining the dark side. We men are no less intimidated than you are. If anything, we are MORE intimidated. Why? Social norms state that men should all lift and lift heavy they shall. If you're not big and strong then you're looked down upon. Men can be quite competitive. So the combination of factors results in a very nerve-wracking experience for us guys when we're just starting out.

However, as a woman, you get a pass on the judgment and the competition. You get major props just for being there. Just for even trying. So you've already got a leg up. As Bean said, once you do it for one day you be 90% of the way there.

PS - I will second the Starting Strength recommendation. I read it from cover to cover before I ever touched a barbell. Then I read it again to let it sink in after a little experience.

Super good post. I was once a chicken, but now I pwn in the weight area. Love it.

I love lifting weights and I look forward to my time in the gym.*

*Gym-time in exactly 20 minutes. Synchronize kittens.... now.

:flowerforyou: :drinker:

I love being the woman in the free weight section. :bigsmile: