I am the woman in the freeweights section of the gym

I'm really thankful this thread exists! I ambled over to this forum with the very question of feeling completely terrified and uncomfortable in the weights section. I'm following a training plan to complete a triathlon and yesterday required I use some weights and resistance equipment. I walked through all the weights and machines, watched all the really muscular, intense-looking guys who looked like they knew exactly what they were doing, and I retreated back to the treadmill in fear.

I need to get over this fear!

My husband got me started. I've been doing this for a year- it's the most compact complete workout time-wise you will ever do. Cardio after? Nah, it will get your heart moving just fine once you get into the higher weights. Just do it! I'm the "old lady" in the squat rack- those kids don't intimidate me! After a year, you can REALLY see and feel the difference. I just chucked all my old pants and had to go buy new ones.

Amen! good for you sister

This is great! Thank you! I use a gym by my house that also happens to be across the street from a police/fire station. I am usually the only female in the whole place at the times I go for my workout. I need to add strength training and this has given me the "cajones" to just get in there and get it done. Thanks!

About time, high five

Thank you so much! The free weights are a major intimidation for me! I'm going to read up and jump out of my comfort zone!

Great

Awesome!

From the perspective of a man (in the free weight section) I have nothing but respect for women as well as others who are insecure and/or intimidated in some form (new strength trainers, guys with slight frames, etc). In the past, I have come back into the gym off of a prolonged injury and experienced low self esteem and insecurity. I knew I was going to be weaker than usual, and was uncomfortable about the fact that some of the roided up gym rats (relatively rare where I work out) might see me lifting weights that they mastered a decade ago.

That being said, I am naturally a strong person. SO... if I felt insecure about it, either I'm a coward or you are just very self-confident (I prefer to think the latter). I wish I could get my wife into free weights, but there's that typical female mental block about it, which is a shame since I believe strength training is the most healthy and beneficial of physical activities.

here's the deal... people are so consumed with themselves they will not notice you most of the time. so fake it till you make it. i refused to pay for a gym membership but i love lifting free weights. so when i got my current job, it has a small gym on site and i am lucky to go during the day when it's not so busy. but i have gone after work too. i'm pretty much one of two-three ladies (i've ever seen) in the free weights area. i've gotten compliments from the gym staff re: my kettlebell technique and the other day two staff members were betting i was a former power lifter. i didn't know to be offended or flattered. so when the staff member asked, I just said i wasn't afraid to lift heavy weights/did weight training in off season HS and college. "Not a lot of women come in here doing compound movements" ... anyway it feels good to bench more than some bros in there but i know their gains far surpass me. tldr: i feel capable of anything after a good workout and don't be scared. easier said than done, but with most things in life - people are more concerned with themselves than they are with you.

I am also the woman in the weights section! I had an audience yesterday when I was deadlifting 200# :-)

Beautifully worded!

The more you do it the easier it gets! : )

Don't blast your music - you will look great but you will be well on your way to deafness - not a good trade off. Rule of thumb - if someone else can hear sound from your earbuds, the volume is way too loud!

Such a great post AND sooo true. I like to call it the "Big Boy Playground"...I worked up the nerve to enter and haven't looked back. You do get looks but for the most part they're friendly, some very helpful and just like everyone else... trying to get their physique on
:-)
I will try to check the books out....my obsession is Bodybuilding.com...soo much info on their.
Well good luck to you all and Happy (heavy) Lifting!

Great post

I just recently began lifting weights, I've always had that weird fear because I'm a woman. However after beginning crossfit I no longer fear the weights. I now enjoy it!