Chicks on the Boys side of the Gym....

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Replies

  • kcoftx
    kcoftx Posts: 765 Member
    I was intimidated the first two workouts. Part of it was the macho man territory but most of it was that I didn't know what the heck I was doing and unlike women classes, I didn't want to look like a fool here. That wasn't gonna stop me. I went in with a plan and my book. It was obvious I was new.

    Yeah, 2 things happened that were slightly embarassing. I realized I had to do WALL push ups in front of everyone. The second is I didn't yet know about the power cage so my first time out I decided to just try squatting with a barbell by itself. It wasn't challenging on my legs but I cringed when I realized I couldn't lift the 45lb weight off my shoulders to get it back to the squat rack. Luckily I figured out that I could turn it sideways and lift it back into position that way. Crisis adverted. I should have asked for help. I kinda did. I mentioned it to someone on MFP and he alerted me about the power cage. MUCH BETTER!

    By the end of my second workout, I started to feel comfortable and knew what to do. I relaxed.

    Every B workout day, I actually talk to the big manly guys. Why? I'm too short to put back the swiss ball. I can bump it out to get it down but when I throw it up, it bounces all over the room.

    Even though I was very intimidated at first, that didn't stop me from asking if I could watch someone because he just happened to be showing someone else how to perform the move I was going to do next. (I cross checked it with my book too). Thank goodness I did because I found out there are clamps that you can put at the end of the weights to keep them on the bar! Who knew!

    Now I'm actually enjoying being in the room. Today I picked up a good tip too!
  • amy1612
    amy1612 Posts: 1,356 Member
    I walk over there like a boss and lift like one. I dont get embarassed because though I currently may not be bench pressing or squatting half of what someone else is, Im making awesome progress, and doing it with good form.

    Generally though the weights area is full of nice guys, there are some idiots, but I just ignore them. Some guy double raised his eyebrows at me last week, after doing benches, on the smith. Like, yeah, you may have just benched heavier than me, but you used a smith, and the safety wires. Instantly delaod like 10kg. Dont give me the come on. Likewise for those eyeballing me whilst bicep curling, take your isolations and f*** off,lol.
  • kcoftx
    kcoftx Posts: 765 Member
    For the guy who goes to aerobics classes, I do admit I watch the guys when they come. It's cute. (Don't hate me for that word). I'm secretly impressed they are doing it. Classes like Zumba where everyone modifies and has looked like a fool at one point or another, I'm doubly impressed. I like having guys in there. By the way, it's not about what you look like, it is about your confidence and even better if you seem to be enjoying yourself.

    One guy came to yoga one day and was a bit lost so I went and got a mat for him. Just last Friday I ran into him again. He saw me searching for equipment and without me asking, he returned the favor. :)
  • Jordant107
    Jordant107 Posts: 218 Member
    Just make sure you're serious about it and you have routine to follow- if you aimlessly throw weights around and have no definite structure you'll be appear to not be serious about lifting. If you're focused, though, and follow a plan, you'll be accepted as an equal.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    My whole gym is a boys side. It's a powerlifters/bodybuilders gym and I think in 2 years I've seen a woman there about 10 times, only 1 looked regular/serious (I think she's somewhere else now) the rest were just there just to tag along with their bf's/husbands by the look of it.

    I guess I felt a bit shy at first, but I went with my bf and that helped a lot. By myself I probably would've chosen a different gym. After a bit though I started going by myself, especially when my bf's work schedule would always clash with mine, I've HAVE to go myself or not at all.

    They all know me there now, say hi to me and some I speak to quite regularly about training and stuff. One guy asked me to spot him the other day on bench (which made me happy to be asked, for the first time) and I've asked random guys to spot me loads of time, they all have no problem with it.

    Basically it's all good, as long as your serious about it they won't care, and you may make some new gym buddies :) From my experience in other gyms too, the guys are always nicer and easier to talk to anyway.
  • LinaBo
    LinaBo Posts: 342 Member
    At first it was intimidating, but I have learned over time that most of the guys are respectful and fairly nice, without being patronizing. The guys who act like d*cks? (For example, one 'roid monkey who was a jerk to me for daring to ask to cut in somewhere in his 30 minute repetitive use of the tricep pulldown rope attachment) Yeah, those ones are d*cks to everyone, male or female.
  • snookumss
    snookumss Posts: 1,451 Member
    I don't believe that there is a "Boys" side to a gym.
  • DonttrythatwithME
    DonttrythatwithME Posts: 214 Member
    my gym is so quiet if there is ever more than 10 people in there i'm surprised, that's weights and cardio.

    In all honesty its kind of a buzz when a lady is hauling some iron, not in a creepy i'm gong to follow you home root through your bins and make a hat out of your old lasagna tray way, but in a welcome over from the dark side way :D

    plus if it is really busy i go tractor tyre flipping in the carpark
  • My gym is gigantic so there are a few different areas, including a women's weight area. However, I refuse to use that part. I LOVE lifting with the boys. It definitely took some getting used to, and was super intimidating, but I really frustrated using the smaller training area as it didn't have all the stuff I needed. Just hold your head up tall and rock it out!
  • I don't feel awkward anymore, I just do my thing!! It does help that many of the men at my gym are gay. But, honestly, what I've found is that if you take yourself seriously, others will too.
    I love the "boys" side of the gym!!!
  • 12by311
    12by311 Posts: 1,716 Member
    At my gym, women can come into the weight section AFTER they have asked permission from each male member currently working in the area.

    This is standard practice at my gym as well.

    LOL!! Can you believe anyone actually took this seriously??

    Much less seriously enough to write a freaking comment in reply with 90% caps in it?

    Excellent trolling my friend :).

    ;)
  • peachyxoxoxo
    peachyxoxoxo Posts: 1,178 Member
    Lol some people are pretty bad at catching sarcasm online.

    Anyway, my ex boyfriend got me into lifting about two years ago. We both got a membership at a small private gym at home over the summer. I got comfortable with a lot of the equipment, and by the time I went back to school in the fall, lifting at the rec center was nbd. I'm not saying I don't feel aware of being the only female or just one of a few on the "boys" side of the gym, but it doesn't really matter to me. I'm there to work out and I'm not going to let myself feel intimidated just because of all the testosterone surrounding me. Lifting days are my favorite... I hate my cardio bunny days haha.
  • stephyy4632
    stephyy4632 Posts: 947 Member
    I prefer the boys side. All the men/boys at my gym have been super helpful I started lifting a few months ago and had NO CLUE what I was doing at all. I walked in all the stations where currently in use so I just stood beside the first one and asked if I could watch to see form and once I said that they offered to walk me threw the stations :) and I NOW have no problem at all asking for a spot Love the men and boys at my gym ( Its a YMCA gym so lots of high school boys along with adults ) all very sweet and helpful.
  • wedjul05
    wedjul05 Posts: 472
    I too prefer the 'boys' side of my gym.

    I hate working out with poser girls, full of make-up/perfume, unsuitable runners etc. At least you don't get this in the boys side.

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE going upstairs with all the guys (there can be about 50 guys there at a busy time) and lifting my weights. Once I know what I am doing, technique-wise and feel confident doing it, I don't give a sh!te.
  • HMVOL7409
    HMVOL7409 Posts: 1,588 Member
    I never looked at any of the gyms I've belonged to as being segregated this way. Cardio isn't just for girls as weights aren't just for males. I understand some being intimidated, but that thinking is a little silly. I prefer to lift and couldn't care less what a dude thinks. I pay just as much for my membership. I've also seen some guys who need a lesson or 2 in lifting.
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    Lol some people are pretty bad at catching sarcasm online.

    Yes maam.... But I was trying to make a point that most woman will not cross over that invisible line for some reason...thankfully THIS chick has and WILL continue to do so!
  • pullipgirl
    pullipgirl Posts: 767 Member
    There are a lot of female bodybuilders at my gym so there really isn't a "boy's side" just a cardio side and a weight lifting side
  • Tedebearduff
    Tedebearduff Posts: 1,155 Member
    Your thoughts? I started lifting several months ago, at first at home with a few free weights..and realized quickly that I would have to break down and start going to a gym to lift since I was no longer challeged by what I had at home...

    I am not gonna lie...the segregation in the gym is intimidating as all get out sometimes...there is a girl's side ( elliptical machines, treadmills and bikes) and theres a boy's side...( all the strength machines, cables-which happen to be my favorite!, free weights and bars). So my question to woman that lift...do you feel intimidated or uncomfortable by being the only female in the stregth section of the gym? And men...is it annoying when a woman crosses over to your side?

    Just wanting some perspectives...from both sides. I am not going to stop lifting...I love it! But wonder why the gym is so segregated by gender.

    I think it's awesome if a girl is lifting weights and not just playing on the leg machines!!
  • sheeler301
    sheeler301 Posts: 16 Member
    I think it is a little intimidating, especially since I'm not very familiar with a lot of the machines. I have an iPhone app called iPTrainer and it give me a work out each time I use it, some of the things it has me do I'm like really with people around think I'll edit that exercise. There are not a whole lot of people in the gym when I go at 0415-0430 hrs. but still is mostly if not all men in the weight room.
  • teez52
    teez52 Posts: 104 Member
    I could care less whether there are guys, girls or anything inbetween at the gym with me as long as they are not idiots! Rack your weights, don't hog things and just be generally respectful and no one should have any issue with anyone in the gym. I honestly don't even notice other people while I'm there, or at least I try not to so I can stay focused. My wife now comes to the gym with me and she doesn't bother with any of the machines, free weights only and no one has a problem with her being in there.

    Women have just as much right to work out as I do with free weights, not sure why people would have a problem with it...
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    This seems like an odd gym. At every gym I've been to, there's a Men's and Women's label on the locker rooms and restrooms....and no where else. Certainly not in any section of the workout areas. In 20 years of lifting, I've never heard any man refer to the free weight side as the Men's area, and during that same time I've never looked at a women and thought GTFO and I've never heard another male say anything to a woman along those lines. Never. Ever.

    Ladies, I'm going to suggest it's in your head. I'm betting if someone you know referred to the free weight section it was another female, not a male, and certainly not an employed of the gym. And the "what are you doing over here" looks I'm seeing in some of these posts? Those are probably just looks, not GTFO Looks or anything like that. The human eye tracks movement, so we look at you when you're in there the same way we look at another guy who's lifting around us. You see a person, maybe make a mental note of they are doing something curious and move on. We don't have blinders on and there's a lot of downtime between sets so you will look at other people around you.

    I'm not insensitive. I do get that women may understandably be uncomfortable and possibly intimidate in that environment. But trust me, we don't care. Come on in, set up your station, and get your workout on just like we are.
  • thrld
    thrld Posts: 610 Member
    The reason why women tend to avoid the 'boy's side?

    Because when you use the machines you are no longer part of a crowd.

    If I'm taking a step class and I fall off, or kick the step across the room (both of which happen often) -- I can feel anonymous in the group.

    If I mess up on the machines, everyone will see/know.

    If I'm taking a class and feel like going half speed on some of the moves, I'm still moving.

    On the machines, you can't dog it.

    When I take a class, if I don't get the moves right away, I can fake it and watch what others do until I get it.

    On the machines, it's just me.

    The classes are scheduled, so if I don't go I will miss it.

    Machines are self-propelled; easier to put off going.

    When I take a class, I don't feel as if I am holding up anyone else's workout -- no-one is waiting for me to finish so they can have my spot.
  • Jenlwb
    Jenlwb Posts: 682 Member
    The reason why women tend to avoid the 'boy's side?

    Because when you use the machines you are no longer part of a crowd.

    If I'm taking a step class and I fall off, or kick the step across the room (both of which happen often) -- I can feel anonymous in the group.

    If I mess up on the machines, everyone will see/know.

    If I'm taking a class and feel like going half speed on some of the moves, I'm still moving.

    On the machines, you can't dog it.

    When I take a class, if I don't get the moves right away, I can fake it and watch what others do until I get it.

    On the machines, it's just me.

    The classes are scheduled, so if I don't go I will miss it.

    Machines are self-propelled; easier to put off going.

    When I take a class, I don't feel as if I am holding up anyone else's workout -- no-one is waiting for me to finish so they can have my spot.

    Machines? Thought we were talking about the weights room?
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    The reason why women tend to avoid the 'boy's side?

    Because when you use the machines you are no longer part of a crowd.

    If I'm taking a step class and I fall off, or kick the step across the room (both of which happen often) -- I can feel anonymous in the group.

    If I mess up on the machines, everyone will see/know.

    If I'm taking a class and feel like going half speed on some of the moves, I'm still moving.

    On the machines, you can't dog it.

    When I take a class, if I don't get the moves right away, I can fake it and watch what others do until I get it.

    On the machines, it's just me.

    The classes are scheduled, so if I don't go I will miss it.

    Machines are self-propelled; easier to put off going.

    When I take a class, I don't feel as if I am holding up anyone else's workout -- no-one is waiting for me to finish so they can have my spot.

    Machines? Thought we were talking about the weights room?

    In the weight room, you are the machine!
  • redcat17
    redcat17 Posts: 267 Member
    My gym is huge, and it usually seems like there are just as many women in the weight area as men. Sure, there are women who just do cardio or go to group classes, but men do that as well. I personally don't get the whole intimidation thing when it comes to women lifting at the gym. We pay our dues just like the bros, so what's the big deal?
  • sukaera
    sukaera Posts: 53 Member
    Nah, I never feel or see any discrimination or segregation. But then again, I can pull my own weight around... I do notice tho, when very "out of shape/not very physically strong" women come in, some men will kind of try to help then get plated weights on and off but that's mainly for a safety reason, not usually anything else.

    Some older dudes are like whoa you're tiny, then I bench like 75lbs in plates and they get reeeeeeaaaallll quiet. Hahaha it's sad but, the stronger you get physically, the more, I guess, "respect" you'll get.
  • I don't find it too intimidating. I think the best thing to do is to just focus on say 3 or 4 machines at a time and rotate. I hate when people come into the weights area and they jump from machine to machine and then 15 machines later they are all dirty. When people see you are serious about it they take you serious :)
  • BahamaMama77
    BahamaMama77 Posts: 25 Member
    There was definitely segregation at my old gym. It was intimidating to walk through the free weights section.

    Now I don't notice it at all at my new gym. I've seen women lifting and men lifting, sometimes at the same time. No one seems to care. I know I don't.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    The reason why women tend to avoid the 'boy's side?

    Because when you use the machines you are no longer part of a crowd.

    If I'm taking a step class and I fall off, or kick the step across the room (both of which happen often) -- I can feel anonymous in the group.

    If I mess up on the machines, everyone will see/know.

    If I'm taking a class and feel like going half speed on some of the moves, I'm still moving.

    On the machines, you can't dog it.

    When I take a class, if I don't get the moves right away, I can fake it and watch what others do until I get it.

    On the machines, it's just me.

    The classes are scheduled, so if I don't go I will miss it.

    Machines are self-propelled; easier to put off going.

    When I take a class, I don't feel as if I am holding up anyone else's workout -- no-one is waiting for me to finish so they can have my spot.

    Machines? Thought we were talking about the weights room?

    In the weight room, you are the machine!

    :laugh:

    i like this
  • kgprice11
    kgprice11 Posts: 749 Member
    I think its hot that a girl is confident enough to do whatever she wants to do and in how she looks. It shouldn't be about "segregation and what part of the gym is guys and girls, but do what you want to better yourself and who cares what other people have to say about it!! Enjoy your day haha:smile::laugh: