I am the woman in the freeweights section of the gym

RESPECT

Late to the party, but what a great post..so spot on!

This will be me one day.

Hi, I have worked out in the free-weight section before. At the gym I went to most women did not want to go down to the free weights room because there were mostly guys, it was a small area, it was downstairs away from everybody else and all of the machines, and many times the guys would leave very heavy weights on the free weight machines ( the hack squat machine, pull down, calf raise). Most women could not move weights that heavy. It is just kind of awkward in general even doing bench presses and dumbbell work there at least. Now, I have been to a large YMCA where it was much easier and more comfortable to use the free weights. Sometimes I think women use more machines so they won't get hurt. It is much easier to get hurt doing a squat wrong than a leg extension on a machine. I hurt myself a long time ago that exact way and still have issues with that muscle. I did find a book that has encouraged me though. The programs go really slow even an extreme beginner can do the exercises and they can be done at home. The book is Bible Sculpting Bible for Women.

I'm pretty close to the only one in the free weights section as well. I just blast my music through my headphones and ignore everything else. I'm there for me and that's what matters, not what anyone else thinks.

Hello, I have just signed up to MFP. After putting a stone and a half on in weight over the last two years through getting into bad eating habits and no exercise I decided that I had had enough and wanted to get fit, back into shape and feel good about myself again. I have started eating healthy again and going to the gym three times a week. I always thought that doing cardio was the way to go, but really struggle with it. I have an underactive thyroid and sometimes lack in energy and was struggling to do even ten minutes on the cross trainer. I then read about doing weights rather than cardio. I go to the gym with my husband so decided to ask him to show me what to do in the free weights room. I went in there for the first time yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. Much prefer it to doing Cardio. I did 20 minutes on the exercise bike but then spent an hour doing weights. I have also purchased some isolate whey protein powder and had that after the gym. I really want to get toned and look as great as some of the women's pictures that I have seen who work out with weights. As a newbie to this any advice would be greatly appreciated. :happy:

Love this!

Good post.

My gym is pretty good, I see a good amount of women in the free weights area any time I go in.....
And a lot of the times, they have been going long enough, that they fit in with the guys just fine......

Weight rooms are intimidating to those unfamiliar with the equipment and routines... It makes ZERO difference if you are male or female. As a guy I was absolutely terrified to go in there until I convinced myself I knew what I was doing... Once I got in there I realized I had no idea compared to every one else.

Pro Tip: Everyone has something they can learn and we all start at the bottom. Everyone in there was where you were once. Stop judging others in the weight room and most of all stop judging yourself while you are in there. Do the work you came to do and get out.

I love being the woman in the freeweights section. I more so like being the only woman in the freeweights section of the gym w/o any help from the boys. Just a high-five every now and then when I lift those weight and put them down like a big girl! Stronglifts! ::flexes:: :bigsmile:

My gym is great! There is such a good mix of people everywhere that there is no need to feel funny anywhere in the gym. Of course guys like to look, but to be honest I would probably feeling just as wierd if they didn't. The ladies check the men out just as much......maybe they are just a little discrete.

Hi Ladies! I've been doing strong lifts for about a week, but I'm a little confused about warm ups. Should I do a 2 x 8 with an empty bar for squats and deads (I can squat 80 right now)? What about warm ups for bench and ohsp (45 lb and 25 lb respectively)? I did a strong lifts type workout last semester but took a 2 and a half month break, but now I'm back.

Also, do you supplement with any other exercises? Right now I am doing one set of planks each workout, adding 5 secs each set (up to 40 DIFFICULT sec now!).

I just finished The New Rules of Lifting for Women and am ready to get in the weight room!

I've been focusing on strength training over the past few months, but relying heavily on machines. I can't wait to be the one dead lifting!

It would be great to hear from anyone who has done/is doing the program.

Thanks!

Amanda

I would just like to say that I am very impressed in what you have accomplished so far! I think that alot more women should head over to the free weights section if they are attempting to achieve gains in the toning department. There are alot of women out there who are afraid to make the jump to this, but what you have done gains much respect. It shows the work you are willing to put in for self development so thank you and keep up the good work!