| I'm just getting back in the gym after the holidays and want to start some weight lifting again. Went today and it was like a man pit. Can anyone recommend a gym where I won't be the only female using weights? I know it shouldn't matter but somehow it does. |
| My YMCA is pretty equally split between men and women. |
| Even in the weights area? I mean there were a ton on the cardio machines today but that was it at my place. |
| My gym's weight area is pretty evenly split M/F. Much more so than when I was younger; more women seem to lift now. |
| Depends on when you go. Why does it matter who's lifting beside you though? I'm completely in my own world unless I have a partner. Don't notice or pay attention to anyone around me. |
| You being in the weight area will draw more women to it. I used to be the only one but over time, a lot more women have started lifting. I'm not taking the credit for it as I know other women come in at different times of day, but I know that every time I saw a woman over there, it gave me the courage to get over my fears and start lifting again. |
| I've always called it "the boy room." My friends and I joke about it. The ratios at gold's are typically about 1:10 in the boy room. It was intimidating at first but you get used to it. Just keep on going! |
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The men just stare. A glance is one thing but full on staring like they've never seen a woman before...ugh. I tried to go many times and just couldn't deal with it anymore.
Now I do weight lifting at home. |
I think it depends a LOT on the gym you go to. I've been lucky and have had no problems at the gyms I go to, people are minding their own business. I went to one when I was traveling and some dudes were seriously gawking. When I was starting out I would even ask people to critique my lifts or spot me (I still ask for a spot sometimes) and they are always nice about it. |
I'm the YMCA commenter and yes, the weights area is still evenly split M/F whenever I go. I've belonged to 2 different Washington Sports Club locations; 1 had a good mix of men and women in weights; the other was completely female-free whenever I went in. I'd recommend touring a couple of gyms in your area to scope them out. The common denominator I've had in gyms that were mixed with regards to M/F is that they had a range of ages and fitness levels in their clients. |
| Because of the way the men use the weights. I love lifting, I don't like lifting when men are around. They are obnoxious and discourteous. |
| We don't touch your oven dials. Don't touch our weightroom |
+1 I do find that if it has a younger crowd, men tend to mind their own business after a look, because they're a little more adjusted to the idea of fit/athletic women doing their own thing. Gyms with an older crowd tends to have more staring older (50+) men, who are gross and old fashioned, and can't conceive of the idea of women working out for their own pleasure - except to look good for a man. So they try and chat you up and don't leave you alone. |
| What gym are you going to? I have lifted weights for 2 decades ( God, I am old) and while outnumbered, have always been in gyms with a few other women. Look for a gym that is one large open space maybe. Mi have found gyms with a small separated free weights room, some of the men roll thier eyes when a female walks in. But honestly, those same guys do. It want anyone but themselves in there. |
| Try planet fitness. big mix of ages and gender and they mean it when they say they do not allow lunks. |