Newbie woman lifting weights

[Anonymous]

I wanted to start lifting at my work gym which is huge but find that there is only men in the lifting area ALL the time. The women are always on the cardio area. If a woman, do you find this true at your gym too?

[Anonymous]

It's been many years since I worked out at a gym, but, yes, I remember the free weights section being overwhelmingly male.

I never got any negative comments from the men and was never made uncomfortable, but then again I'm from Eastern Europe and have an accent and RBF, so YMMV.

Are you comfortable with knowing your form, what exercises to do, and what weights to use? If not, it might be good to start with a session with a personal trainer and make a plan. But using free weights correctly is really good for you, so it's worth it!

[Anonymous]

+1 on the suggestion to get a training for a few sessions. I was new to weightlifting and it took me about 20 sessions to feel truly comfortable, but at least do a few so you won't injure yourself.

[Anonymous]

Men are definitely the majority in the weight area.

Give it a try and maybe start a trend.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I’ve been in this situation a lot and it’s not bad. The thing to remember is that the men in the weight room are really focused on themselves. They will be looking at their own reflection in the mirror, not at you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to start lifting at my work gym which is huge but find that there is only men in the lifting area ALL the time. The women are always on the cardio area. If a woman, do you find this true at your gym too?

Some days, yes. But I’ve never let it stop me from working out or focusing on what I’m there for. I really don’t care who’s there. Just don’t sit there and scroll on your phone instead of lifting. Put the weights back when you’re done. And wipe down the benches.

[Anonymous]

Sure, that's how most gyms are. Don't let it intimidate you! Just show up and do your thing.

I am a tiny 5'0" woman, and I took up powerlifting a few years ago. I am often the only woman in the weight area and definitely not someone who looks like most of the other people there.

[Anonymous]

I’m a woman who lifts, and yes, most of the people lifting weights at my gym are men. I don’t let it deter me, but I’m also an experienced lifter.

IME, most men either don’t pay attention to you but are happy to help with a spot or whatever if needed. One of the most serious ones at my gym proactively gave me a set of clips when I didn’t have any (he brings his own). People are usually friendly if you have good gym manners and are there to work.

[Anonymous]

I felt the way you did and talked to a friend who is a trainer. She suggested I go to a lifting gym rather than something like Golds or One Life.

I was intimidated by the idea but she offered to go with me. It is amazing! There are men and women, parents teaching their teens, old and young. Everyone is so nice. There is a general common interest.

I think about going to One Life and even after lifting for 3 yrs I’m still not comfortable in the big gym.

[Anonymous]

Many women lifting weights in my gym.

Just like their are men who are in terrible shape and only go to the gym to work on their chest and biceps, it's not uncommon to see women who do nothing but weight workouts for their ass.

[Anonymous]

I'm a man. I go to a gym that is free weight oriented - practically no cardio. The gym has plenty of women who lift. I'd say on a given night it's probably 40% women. But this is different from a "big chain" gym because it specifically attracts people who want to do free weights and women who mainly want to do cardio won't join this gym.

As someone who has attended "big chain" gyms in the past, I say don't worry about it, guys who lift like to see anyone in there lifting and getting better - young, old, male, female, thin, obese, whatever. The men are not going to look down on you because you can't lift as much as them, if that is the concern. Just use basic etiquette - put your weights away when you're done, don't spend a bunch of time surfing your phone in the squat rack, don't walk right in front of someone and distract them in the middle of a set, etc.

[Anonymous]

I go to a Gold’s in Arlington. Occasionally I am the only woman in the lifting area, but usually there are a few other women and some of them actually lift pretty heavy too. I don’t find the environment intimidating but I have also been lifting for years and like PP I am also from Eastern Europe with a strong RBF game. Still, I find the men generally pretty friendly and cooperative when I want to share equipment or need a spot. It is true they are mostly focused on themselves, but I do not agree they will completely ignore you. You will inevitably get checked out and you need to be able to deal with that. Hire a trainer to get yourself familiar with the equipment if you need to gain some confidence before venturing into the lifting area on your own.

[Anonymous]

Maybe the men should be complaining the cardio section is full of women!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe the men should be complaining the cardio section is full of women!

Most men like women at the gym.

[Anonymous]

Yep. It’s this way everywhere. I started lifting by waiting until near closing, dashing over and trying stuff.

Over 20 years it is why I equipped my own house for lifting (cage, bench, barbell and plates). I will never go back.