Still don't feel like I belong in weights room but go in anyway :)

Macrotracker34
Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
As I train alone I always feel "out of place" lifting heavy weights in the weights room. A few weeks ago an older guy walking on treadmill said to his workout partner " that doesn't look right" I powered through the workout regardless. Why is it that women shouldn't get strong and progress? I will always remember that comment and I'll always continue doing what I'm doing despite how it looks. It's all about how YOU feel and if something feels good, go for it
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Replies

  • kenmiller75
    kenmiller75 Posts: 89 Member
    Never give up and don't let others tell you that you don't belong in the gym. Lift Heavy & Live Healthy!
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    Exactly kenmiller75 :)
  • creepy_unicorn
    creepy_unicorn Posts: 14 Member
    WHOAAA, he is as wrong as can be. I see women all the time on the weights floor strutting their stuff! That guy was a rarity as far as I'm concerned. Most guys in the free-weights section (despite looking Schwarzenegger esque) are actually puppy dogs. Everyone is there for a reason, and we all have to start somewhere. I know firsthand how intimidating it is at first to be a little woman in the macho man section, but I guarantee after a while when you see results you literally will not give a *kitten*. I'm proud that you ignored that arsewipe. Keep doing your own thing, it'll pay off! B)
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    Arsewipe ha. Yes I think he was just an old fashioned kind of guy. Or maybe felt inadequate because he wasn't doing it? Either way yes I'll get there. I think cause I'm so petite, I always feel judged lol
  • amyteacake
    amyteacake Posts: 768 Member
    Sounds like he was an old fashioned guy. Don't let him discourage you! I feel the same when I go and do weight training and feel like people are judging. What keeps me going is the fact that my dad does weight training as well and always encourages me and makes me feel better and lets me know how proud he is of me when I lift heavier even if it's not a lot more than what I was doing before.

    You got this! Well done for not giving into his comments.
  • cowgoo
    cowgoo Posts: 58 Member
    I think it's our own insecurities that makes us think people are judging us when in reality they are paying no attention and focusing on themselves. Take some music with you and maybe that will help. You won't hear anyone if they do say something and people with headphones in look unapproachable, so you'll have that going for you. Good luck!
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    Yeah I'm shy as well as small so to some I don't belong there at all. But I do. It's actually boosting my confidence slowly the stronger I'm go. We all belong there. Thank you I'll definitely keep at it :)
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    #stronger I'm getting
  • kaizaku
    kaizaku Posts: 1,039 Member
    Some people act like they invented the weight room and get cocky over nothing. The only reason the guy on the treadmill said, that's not right. It's coz he's useless and women are beating him. His ego probably kicked in :smile:
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    Lol. Yes I think my effort lifting the barbell sting hid ego a bit:)
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    #stung his
  • Monique_2
    Monique_2 Posts: 9 Member
    That's how I felt at first when I stepped into the gym/weight room, more guys and me and one other girl. But I just stepped on that treadmill, plugged in my earbuds and was in my zone. Nothing or no one holds me back, and my husband is right there on the treadmill next to me. Don't ever feel like you're not wanted there, because they have been there too
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    Definitely. No body should put anyone else down. Should encourage each other
  • DannyYMi54321
    DannyYMi54321 Posts: 77 Member
    If you paid your membership you belong.
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    Lol definitely. Hi no I was definitely doing it right but think I maybe looked uncomfortable. People are quick to judge a book by it's cover. I am shy but I'm one hell of a determined person. The better I get the less I'll look awkward going on. I'll get there :)
  • Sara1791
    Sara1791 Posts: 760 Member
    Macrotracker34 wrote: »
    Lol definitely. Hi no I was definitely doing it right but think I maybe looked uncomfortable. People are quick to judge a book by it's cover. I am shy but I'm one hell of a determined person. The better I get the less I'll look awkward going on. I'll get there :)

    :). That's the way to do it!
  • fitbethlin
    fitbethlin Posts: 162 Member
    Macrotracker34 wrote: »
    said to his workout partner " that doesn't look right"

    I train alone when I lift heavy and prefer it that way. I do ask my husband to come out with me every once in a while (like every couple months) to watch my form. When I was getting really heavy with my lifts, I had him video record me once so I could see where I could help. He does the same thing by going to a gym where a bunch of competitive body-builders train once in a blue moon and asking a friend to give him pointers.

    Personally, if I don't get a little outside feedback from someone I trust, it makes it easier to let comments like that from strangers worm their way into my head and make me wonder.
  • boopster99
    boopster99 Posts: 48 Member
    Of course you belong there. Walk in with your head held high, plug in some tunes to get into your zone and do what makes you feel good. I'm old enough to be mom to most of the boys in my gym and I can outlift a lot of them! It doesn't matter your age, your size, or gender - this is your life, play by your rules.
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    Cheers everyone. I will celebrate my achievement of lifting heavier today with some yummy food and keep going for my goals. Screw negative people and negativity. Shy people can go for gains too :)
  • delfy778
    delfy778 Posts: 4 Member
    Good for you for not letting that comment get to you. I too am petite and I spend the vast majority of my time in the weight room, trying to build muscle and increase strength. I do notice people staring at me a lot and I was also on the receiving end of a hurtful comment just a couple of weeks ago, but I try to just brush it off. I do my best to focus on the strength that I'm trying to build -- not on other people judging. You have the right attitude!
  • GottaluvFood
    GottaluvFood Posts: 65 Member
    edited April 2017
    Are you sure he wasn't referring to your weight-lifting form? It seems everyone here is assuming the "not right" meant a girl lifting weights. Maybe "not right" meant not lifting right.

    I see a lot of poor form lifting weights.

    I started lifting weights at 25, back in 1989. I was such a weakling! But I fell in love with it. I enjoy it so much more than aerobic exercise. Some gyms had a women-only room, but weights only went to 15 pounds back then. I had to go to the co-ed room when I started lifting heavier, which of course meant men only besides me. Some gyms had a small, but separate free-weight room, which had only men besides me. The rooms were always packed, too. I choose dumb bells rather than barbell. It was annoying to rotate on the barbell with someone whose weight bearing was so much greater than mine. But, there was only one guy who was ever huffy about it. All others were generous. It was me who wanted to just get through my workout, so I avoided the barbells. Most of the guys were friendly & educational. I learned a lot.

    I also learned that weight lifting benefits some female-specific ailments. Did you know that it strengthens your bones, too? The pulling of tendons & ligaments increases the density of bone. Did you know that weight lifting helps balance hormones?

    I'm 51 now. I stopped working out for 10-ish years due to life getting in the way. I lost my posture. I had hip & knee pain due to weak supporting muscles. I couldn't get up from the floor without pulling with my arms.

    When I went gym shopping two years ago, I was so pleased to see a woman-only room with free weights up to 50 lb & barbells, too. (I'm willing to lift co-ed. I was pleased because of the mindset of the gym.)

    Like I said, I'm 51 & was 60 lb overweight when I joined MFP. (Lost 15 lbs!!!) I've worked back to 20 lb dumbbells. Only the super fit young'uns lift more. The joint pain is gone. My posture is attractive again. I can enjoy outdoor activities again.

    I'm glad to see so many women using free weights. But, I see a lot of bad form. Sometimes, I cringe at what they are probably doing to their back or shoulder. It looks bad.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    About half of the people in my weight room are women.
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    Lol. Love the positivity. Hi no cause the trainer just demonstrated before and I only did a barbell squat. I my squat form is spot on, just had a bar on me. He definitely was on about me lifting in the weights room. He was walking on treadmill chatting to his mate
  • luluinca
    luluinca Posts: 2,899 Member
    We have a 6 station squat rack at my gym and yesterday there were 4 women, myself included, lifting some heavy weights. We were all shapes, sizes and ages..........me being the oldest at 66. The only comment I heard was from one or two of the guys walking by and saying "nice work girls".

    I've never heard a negative comment from any guy at my gym and if I feel intimidated it's usually on me and my confidence level.

    The only bad thing that ever happened was when some guy tried to unload my plates for me and said I shouldn't have to do that. I politely thanked him but in my mind I was calling a pretty evil name. If I can't unload it then I can't lift it...........sheesh.

    Have fun and get strong! Ignore negativity, that's on them!
  • mustb60
    mustb60 Posts: 1,090 Member
    Macrotracker34 wrote: »
    As I train alone I always feel "out of place" lifting heavy weights in the weights room. A few weeks ago an older guy walking on treadmill said to his workout partner " that doesn't look right" I powered through the workout regardless. Why is it that women shouldn't get strong and progress? I will always remember that comment and I'll always continue doing what I'm doing despite how it looks. It's all about how YOU feel and if something feels good, go for it

    Who cares what they think! I would take strength any day over skinny. Keep it up girl, this is about beating the stereotypes!!
  • Sara1791
    Sara1791 Posts: 760 Member
    praykathy wrote: »
    It seems everyone here is assuming the "not right" meant a girl lifting weights.

    Nope. I said the other thing.
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    The guy was definitely on about me. I took it on the chin and I'll just continue to gain strength and confidence. World is full of critics. Just got to carry on going. I might if looked shy performing the exercise but I know what I'm doing and I'm definitely determined. In few months I think I'll not care less :)
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    "That doesn't look right" could mean your form on whatever you were doing. Or something completely unrelated to you.
  • Macrotracker34
    Macrotracker34 Posts: 65 Member
    It could have yes but it didn't. I was there and know. You had to be there kind of situation. Anyway I'll not be writing any further comments justifying what I know. I appreciate all the positive feedback. I think lots of people have been on the recieving end of people's negativity. It just makes me stronger anyway so all is good. Appreciate every single comment about this subject. Have a posting day/night everyone

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