Lifting in the gym as a girl

So I've been doing Crossfit for a while and have been lifting from before that too but just from home.

I've signed up to the gym just down the road from my work but when I was being shown around I noticed that the weights area was very male-dominated and macho and it made me feel too shy to get in there and start getting my lift on.

Anyone had a similar issue/got any advice on how not to feel awkward about it? All the girls seem to hang around the treadmills :s-smilie:

Reply 1

TheRustaman

9

Original post by Queen Cersei

So I've been doing Crossfit for a while and have been lifting from before that too but just from home.

I've signed up to the gym just down the road from my work but when I was being shown around I noticed that the weights area was very male-dominated and macho and it made me feel too shy to get in there and start getting my lift on.

Anyone had a similar issue/got any advice on how not to feel awkward about it? All the girls seem to hang around the treadmills :s-smilie:

A common misconception I see from girls is that they believe lifting weights will bulk them out. Unless you are training hard and to failure this is simply not true - it will instead help tone and strengthen you.

The reason I bring that up is because I believe that is what is tied to the anxiety of feeling like they are entering the 'male area'.
Take no notice of this - you may feel slightly awkward at first but it will diminish over time and you will realise your anxieties were not worth entertaining.

Reply 2

TheFarmerLad

22

Observe the girls who workout using only the treadmills/ellipticals/cycling machines compared to those who also use the free weights - there's no comparison! You'll be fine; people go to the gym to train, not intimidate other users

Reply 3

Daniellaaa

4

Even better! Get to be around hot guys

Reply 4

TheFarmerLad

22

Original post by TheRustaman

A common misconception I see from girls is that they believe lifting weights will bulk them out. Unless you are training hard and to failure this is simply not true - it will instead help tone and strengthen you.

The reason I bring that up is because I believe that is what is tied to the anxiety of feeling like they are entering the 'male area'.
Take no notice of this - you may feel slightly awkward at first but it will diminish over time and you will realise your anxieties were not worth entertaining.

You should always be training hard. In regards to girls lifting weights, I thoroughly agree with you however it is near impossible for them to get 'bulky' (which is good in most cases) due to their testosterone levels. Also a solid meal plan prevents that from happening all together

Reply 5

ByronicHero

20

Many women feel exactly the same way when they first start lifting, as the freeweights area will always be male dominated. However, most people there couldn't care less what anyone else is doing and the worst you are likely to encounter are guys checking you out as you squat which is creepy but par for the course. The only remedy for your nerves is repetition - as soon as you have been a few times and realised that it is fine you will stop caring about whoever is around too. Also, you might be surprised by how friendly people at the gym can be, and how eager they might be give you advice (even if you don't want it).

tl:dr you do you girl! :lol:

Reply 6

Queen Cersei

OP

18

Original post by TheRustaman

A common misconception I see from girls is that they believe lifting weights will bulk them out. Unless you are training hard and to failure this is simply not true - it will instead help tone and strengthen you.

The reason I bring that up is because I believe that is what is tied to the anxiety of feeling like they are entering the 'male area'.
Take no notice of this - you may feel slightly awkward at first but it will diminish over time and you will realise your anxieties were not worth entertaining.

I see what you mean but I'm not really worried about the results lifting will have, just more the macho vibe around the area, kind of like being in a men's locker room!

Original post by Queen Cersei

I see what you mean but I'm not really worried about the results lifting will have, just more the macho vibe around the area, kind of like being in a men's locker room!

I don't reckon too many girls would have a problem being in the men's locker room...

What kind of gym is it that you have signed up to? I can understand girls being intimidated by a typical "weights room" environment (okay I can't really as I'm not a girl, but what I mean is that I know that just saying to woman up and do it isn't particularly useful or effective advice), where said weights room mainly consists of dumbbells and machines, and the users are mainly dressed in tank tops and sporting tribal tattoos. But if it's a more specialised weights room aimed to cater for those interested in the sports of powerlifting or weightlifting, where they have weight plates that are the colours of the rainbow and people are wearing £100 shoes, I wouldn't be too worried because I think said environment would have a less macho feel about it. At least that's my experience from such environments, although granted they have all been university gyms.

Reply 8

Queen Cersei

OP

18

Original post by Smack

I don't reckon too many girls would have a problem being in the men's locker room...

What kind of gym is it that you have signed up to? I can understand girls being intimidated by a typical "weights room" environment (okay I can't really as I'm not a girl, but what I mean is that I know that just saying to woman up and do it isn't particularly useful or effective advice), where said weights room mainly consists of dumbbells and machines, and the users are mainly dressed in tank tops and sporting tribal tattoos. But if it's a more specialised weights room aimed to cater for those interested in the sports of powerlifting or weightlifting, where they have weight plates that are the colours of the rainbow and people are wearing £100 shoes, I wouldn't be too worried because I think said environment would have a less macho feel about it. At least that's my experience from such environments, although granted they have all been university gyms.

The gym is pure gym and there are treadmills and all the girls on the left and heavy weights and all the guys on the right! I'm completely comfortable at crossfit with the very serious lifters and all the fancy squat shoes as everyone is just ridiculously lovely and encouraging, but more than half of them are women so don't know if that makes a difference.

I think I will be fine after the first time, it's just a case of getting the first trip done!

Original post by Queen Cersei

The gym is pure gym and there are treadmills and all the girls on the left and heavy weights and all the guys on the right! I'm completely comfortable at crossfit with the very serious lifters and all the fancy squat shoes as everyone is just ridiculously lovely and encouraging, but more than half of them are women so don't know if that makes a difference.

I think I will be fine after the first time, it's just a case of getting the first trip done!

Okay well best of luck! Hopefully if there is some decent equipment there are also some decent lifters there who can help you out should you require it or just generally mingle with.

Reply 10

JuliusDS92

18

Original post by Queen Cersei

So I've been doing Crossfit for a while and have been lifting from before that too but just from home.

I've signed up to the gym just down the road from my work but when I was being shown around I noticed that the weights area was very male-dominated and macho and it made me feel too shy to get in there and start getting my lift on.

Anyone had a similar issue/got any advice on how not to feel awkward about it? All the girls seem to hang around the treadmills :s-smilie:

As a gym-going dude I can guarantee that when someone is busting their back deadlifting/squatting huge volumes they couldn't give a **** about who else is in the weights room with them, male or female.

Don't worry about it. An awful lot of guys I know have the same anxiety about being in the weights room.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 11

Queen Cersei

OP

18

Original post by Smack

Okay well best of luck! Hopefully if there is some decent equipment there are also some decent lifters there who can help you out should you require it or just generally mingle with.

Thank you

My lifting technique is actually not half bad so hopefully I can pick up some more tips from more experienced people!

Reply 12

adam1010100

your are one step ahead of me i completely avoid not only the gym but even the road that the gym is located on hahahaha

Reply 13

A321

20

Original post by Queen Cersei

So I've been doing Crossfit for a while and have been lifting from before that too but just from home.

I've signed up to the gym just down the road from my work but when I was being shown around I noticed that the weights area was very male-dominated and macho and it made me feel too shy to get in there and start getting my lift on.

Anyone had a similar issue/got any advice on how not to feel awkward about it? All the girls seem to hang around the treadmills :s-smilie:

Ahh I totally understand !! My gym instructor said weights were good too. I feel so awkward going to the weights area too as its full of men. Oh and to top it off i'm the only girl at the gym usually when I go after work! I've still not plucked up the courage to invade thier territory lol.
I guess its just the first time you need to get it over and done with to realise its probably not bad. :biggrin:

Posted from TSR Mobile

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 14

doodle_333

19

Just act confident and get on with it. You've paid as much as them so don't let anyone feel you shouldn't be there! If you're focused on your own work out you shouldn't need to worry too much about them.

Reply 15

It's****ingWOODY

20

Original post by Queen Cersei

Thank you

My lifting technique is actually not half bad so hopefully I can pick up some more tips from more experienced people!

Yep, I advise you to steer clear of the Crossfitters and seek some advice of actual lifters if you want to lift under safe form :wink:

Apart from that, as the others have said, nobody's really paying attention to anyone but themselves, the only people that do pay attention to others are those that are just there to mess around anyway and who's opinions are not to be considered.

Reply 16

-Tasty

1

Original post by Queen Cersei

So I've been doing Crossfit for a while and have been lifting from before that too but just from home.

I've signed up to the gym just down the road from my work but when I was being shown around I noticed that the weights area was very male-dominated and macho and it made me feel too shy to get in there and start getting my lift on.

Anyone had a similar issue/got any advice on how not to feel awkward about it? All the girls seem to hang around the treadmills :s-smilie:

Honestly nobody will judge you as a girl for lifting in the free weights area. If you are lucky and find a guy who is not totally tripping on his preworkout booster you might get the occasional stare but thats it .. I d rather be concerned with the fact that you do Crossfit lol

Reply 17

lotusbloom

8

You just have to go for it really because there is no way to avoid it unless you join a female-only gym... Many of which lack equipment in free weights section.

There are probably a few women who feel like you do and by you going into the free weights section they may pick up the courage to go as well. I'm not much of a lifter at the moment, but whenever I do go into the free weights the guys are actually nice.