I want to lift, but I'm terrified of the weight room.

Hmm maybe I could even get a boyfriend out of this! I love fit guys!

That's the spirit I still haven't started so you're not alone in working up courage.

Thank you for the responses everyone. I feel like it's just awkward because I'm with college guys, but that's really just an excuse.
I just need to make it happen. I want a nice *kitten*, goddammit!

Nice *kitten*, you say?

Look up Brett Contreras

Yes lol!!! That's honestly the main reason I want to lift. Yeah I want a nice fit body, but I really want a great *kitten*! Is that too much to ask for?

And yeah I've heard about him! Idk what program I should do, so maybe one of his for starters?

strong curves is really good for beginners. i just got the book and there's some good info in there. seems like he gives a lot of variations for things too.

i havent done it because i dont think i can do the glute raises with any amount of dignity in public

I have a waist of 29inches and a backside of 45, if I can wave my *kitten* around with impunity, anyone can. Besides, I figure I'm never going to be able to move my *kitten* from the specialist interest section without doing exercises like that. :laugh: I try to pretend it's all about being strong and healthy, but yeah, an enviable backside would also be just super.

I found 'New Rules of Lifting for Women' a good starting point. Or pick any other programme, I found I felt much more confident knowing I had a plan to follow, instead of drifting about aimlessly, as I did the first few times.

I've never come across anyone horrible, even the young, well-buff guys that I assumed wouldn't give me the time of day. Well, perhaps in a bar they still wouldn't... I didn't get offended when someone valiantly offered to help me get rid of 2 50kg plates off a bar I wanted to use this afternoon after watching me struggle. The twit that walked off from them perhaps thought that clearing up his c*ap would be would be a great warm up for me. :grumble:

Honestly, feel the fear and do it anyway! It really does get easier after the first few times.

i always think about thebold, because after a tough final set i would LOVE from one of the gym dudes to come swoop to my rescue and offer to be my rerack monkey. that's only happened a few times and that was because the weight i had on the bar was what he wanted, so yay no clean up for me. :laugh:


and OP if you're wanting to meet a fit guy, the weight room is definitely a good place to do it. i've found that as you go regularly you see the same people which makes it less awkward to start up conversations. especially between sets.

so pick a program (strong lifts, new rules of lifting for women, strong curves, starting strength are all good for beginners) and get to lifting.

also you might find that there are other women lurking. sometimes i think in some gyms there are women who dont want to be "the first" but then when they see another woman go in and come out safely they are like hmmmm i want to try those things too

I've not had a woman in the weights section at the same time as me yet - though I have spotted two others in there - one on one of my cardio days, the other was in there after I'd showered and was leaving.

It's nice to know I'm not the only one that ventures in there - but I wouldn't care if I was now. The guys in there leave me alone to get on with what I'm doing. A couple have started to say hi now. And I sometimes get asked if anyone is using the machine next to me. One did spend a lot of time watching me work out - but I've decided that was just strength envy - I was squating 50kg, he was fart arsing around with the smallest dumbbells in the place!

Hinestly - the weights are scarier than the men - I'm not looking forward to the day I drop one on my foot!

Well we're at it...any advice on getting guys in college? Lol...I don't do one night stands and I feel like most guys in college just want that.

Go and do lots of stuff that you enjoy. There will be guys doing those same things, and there are built in conversation starters.

Example: took a pottery class. I noticed the guy sitting across me had no trouble centering his clay. I asked for tips. That sort of thing.

I met plenty of guys in college just by going to class and being friendly, but I also joined clubs and volunteered for things that sounded like fun.

eta: much more obvious example-- chat up some of the guys in the weight room.

I am 46 years old and I had to get over it at our gym don't wait till you are OLD to start! .. SOOOOOOO GLAD I Did. I had a trainer to help me out at first but I watched lot of videos, praticed form at home and added a couple of fitness sites to my facebook page.... Not sure I can mention them but fitnessrxforwomen.com helped me a lot gain confidence and structure to my routines. WE all had to start somewhere even the guys. They will stare a bit but WHATEVER! Eventually you will begin to see the same people in there and they will help you out. The guys will start to admire you for doing it. I will say this, to limit the staring make sure you wear workout pants and not shorts and a looser fitting top. That makes it so I have one less thing to worry about giving me total freedom of movement and helps in the staring department actually adding respect from the guys. There is only a couple of other women at my gym who attempt to lift heavier and I just had to get over it and remember there is only way to build muscle and that is to get in there and just do it! Definitely take a weight lifting class if you can!!!!!!! It will help make sure you start with proper form and give you TONS of confidence. GOOD LUCK!

Shell out for a personal training session or two. You'll get acquainted with the equipment and build confidence, while ensuring you are exercising good form. Win all-around.

Fresh new co-ed in the weight room?

Get one of the guys who are regulars to be your workout partner.

Might get you a partner for other shizz too. wut wut

Haha how do I say that though?

srsly? Look him in the eye, blink those eyes, and ask nicely.

It will work. Promise.

Truth

I can be intimidating because of what we *think* other people are thinking about us.

But the reality is, most of the people in the gym are way more focused on themselves than they are on you. That's why they are in there throwing around the weight and staring at themselves in the mirror - they are there to achieve their own fitness goals. To them, you're just another body in the room.

I was intimidated when I went to my gym for the first time. Now, after a year, I know a lot of people by name, and can chat with a few. The trainers and people who work there know me. I'm a 'regular' now.

Something I found really useful was this: http://ericamillard.com/?p=1566

It might help put things in perspective for you... and maybe even encourage you a little.

Being strong is more than just physical strength. Be mentally strong too; be strong enough to walk into that gym and do your thing. You can. You know you can.

get in there and lift. It's the only way you'll over come that.

You are overthinking this. You have just as much a right to be in the weight room as the athletes. Go lift, learn as you go.

I agree.
Regarding people looking at you I have two comments.....sometimes guys looking in the mirror are looking at their form and not at you. The second is that even if they are looking at you its because the mirrors are there and they are bored and looking around. You have to get over this and do your thing. Most woman I see in the weight sections are looking around too.