Do you strength train at the gym?

[tapioca_pudding]

Hey ya'll....

I have been trying to build up the courage to go over to 'that' side of the gym to lift with the boys... but I never can. :nono: I feel awkward for some reason. I do most of my strength training at home, but the gym has the weights that I need, etc. I feel like once I drop some lbs then maybe I'll have the courage to head over there... but I would like to start doing my squats NOW. :look:

For those of you that strength train at the gym, did you ever have that initial nervousness about going to the free-weights side? If so, how did you get over it?

[starfish]

I was afraid when I first started lifting weights about 10 years ago. To my surprise, everyone was so helpful and answered all my questions. The guys taught me to be confident in the gym, and not be afraid to ask some 350 pound super weightlifter to spot me.

I also got a great trainer for about a month and read everything I could find on women and free weights. There's alot of misinformation out there and what works for that 350 pound weightlifter might not work for you.

Go on over there girl!!! You won't look back once you do and you will love the challenge and the way your body changes.

[Te'TahHead]

NOPE!!

I pay just like they do! Shoo, don't let anxiety or the high-school feeling of not "looking" cool, shy you away. Weight training is essential for toning and weight loss.

Girl, I have a lil note pad of what I'mma do, then I researched it on the net to see the proper way. Start off with smaller weight volumes so that you wont be killing yourself. You can also start off with the machines that have pictures and outlines of how to do everything.


I think it is kinda worse to ask someone. I go in the AM and I don;t think people want to be bothered at 6AM with someone who doesn't know what they are doing.

My lil ol self be right there with those swole weight guys. They grunt, so do I. :yep:

[sunshinelady]

Go late at night or during lunch when noone is there.

[honeybadgirl]

i'm not scared but i never feel like going over to that side:look:
i want to though now that i want to incorporate weights. i was just going to do some stuff at home 1st

[WriterGirl]

I usually work out in the mornings, but when I do weights I go to the OTHER SIDE.

I'll be honest, I felt VERY uncomfortable going over there at first. At my gym, the weight side is pretty crowded with regulars.

But I went over there and did my thing. The boys might have looked but then they went back to their workout. I also noticed was that once they know that you are all about business and become a regular, they help you out and you become a part of the "team." At least this is the case at my gym.

Go ahead girl, go to the OTHER SIDE!

[starfish]

Here's my favorite site for muscle/exercises education:

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

You'll be in there grunting with no shame in no time!

[Whimsy]

I built up the courage and went to that side, and guess what.... they didn't pay me any mind. I was all nervous for nothing!
I enjoy that side of the gym because people are focused on their workouts and it's less 'chatty' like by the treadmill area.

[cheetarah1980]

I didn't even know the OTHER side was intimidating. When I used to go to the gym, all types of people worked out on the OTHER side. No one paid me any mind when I walked over, plopped my butt in the leg press machine and went to town. And no one even batted an eyelash when I picked up free weights. I think some people make a bigger deal out of it than it has to be. You pay for the membership so you have every right to go on over and get your workout on.

[strenght81]

Here's my favorite site for muscle/exercises education:

http://www.exrx.net/Lists/Directory.html

You'll be in there grunting with no shame in no time!

great site.

I have no problem going to the other side. The guys are usually paying attention to their own workout and even though they may look it's normally for a brief moment. If I am doing something incorrectly they tell me. Don't be nervous.

[nijilah]

In the past, I would NEVER go to the 'boys' side due to that nervousness. But I got a trainer to help me get a work out together and that forced me to the other side. Even when I am not with a trainer, the guys are really helpful. I think they enjoy having a feminine presence there.

[daniemoy]

Thought I was the only one nervous about going to the other side..Glad to see I am not..Ok ladies I am going to the gym tommorrow...Let's see if I get over my nerves and go to the otherside :yep:

[abordeaux]

I LOVE LIFTING WEIGHTS! I started lifting when I was about 12 years old when I started playing competitive sports. I was on the PowerLifting team when I was in high school and went to nationals my senior year. I know girls that go to the gym all the time, but you would never know because all they do is run on the treadmill. There's this huge misconception among a lot of women that weightlifting will make a woman "bulk up" or look masculine, but nothing can tone your muscles and lift that booty like strength training.

When I lift I'm usually the only girl in the section and I COULD CARE LESS! I do my thing and don't think about anybody else. And guys are always asking me if I want help. I'm like, "Honey, I've probably been lifting longer than you!":grin:

[tapioca_pudding]

Thank you guys for responding!!! :D My subscriptions aren't working for some reason....

So I guess I basically need to just man up, huh? :lol: :lol: *sigh* I dunno why it's so intimidating. But I really wanna make my way over there. :yep:

starfish that site is AWESOME. Thank you!

Chee - Yup, some of us are nervous about the OTHER side. :yep: I know some ppl have no probs venturing over there. But it scares the bejesus outta me! :lol:

[cheetarah1980]

Chee - Yup, some of us are nervous about the OTHER side. :yep: I know some ppl have no probs venturing over there. But it scares the bejesus outta me! :lol:

Girl, don't you dare let those guys intimidate you. Wanna know a secret? Half of those buff dudes don't even use proper form when lifting. :yep: I've seen all types of craziness all in the name of pumping a few extra pounds. They're not all experts. And those that are, aren't too concerned with what anyone else around them is doing. They're there to sweat. Now cross that line and don't look back! :grin:

[abordeaux]

Girl, don't you dare let those guys intimidate you. Wanna know a secret? Half of those buff dudes don't even use proper form when lifting. :yep: I've seen all types of craziness all in the name of pumping a few extra pounds. They're not all experts. And those that are, aren't too concerned with what anyone else around them is doing. They're there to sweat. Now cross that line and don't look back! :grin:


Exactly. If anything, they'll be checking you out because you look so good!:yep:

[amara11]

I went to the gym in the early morning when no one was really there, but a few really dedicated gym-heads, who could care less about paing attn to you. Not only did going at that time mean I had amazing energy all day- it also meant that I could get the machines I wanted, and it kept me eating straight too- it's even harder to sabbotage your diet when you got up @ the a** crack of dawn for a grueling workout- it makes you want to stay on the good side. hth :)

[Chromia]

Girl, don't you dare let those guys intimidate you. Wanna know a secret? Half of those buff dudes don't even use proper form when lifting. :yep: I've seen all types of craziness all in the name of pumping a few extra pounds. They're not all experts. And those that are, aren't too concerned with what anyone else around them is doing. They're there to sweat. Now cross that line and don't look back! :grin:
So true! Just watch them and listen to them! Like when they swing their entire bodies forward & back just for bicep curls....

The site that Starfish recommended is great. Another good site with info. about weight training is http://www.stumptuous.com/cms/index.php.

[Chocogurl1der]

I was hesitant at first. Now I like invading their territory :grin:

[Covergirl5906]

I felt that way at first...but I joined a womens weight training class....so it wasn't that indimidating....I learned the proper ways to use the weights and now I feel like I can branch out on my own and go in there with the fellas :grin: