Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live, OP?

I'm the 7:46 poster.

I live east of the park, close to 16th St Heights. My gym is in Chevy Chase DC.

I'm in NoVa. We could meet up at a rec center if you're inclined.

I read a lot and watched beginner videos on YouTube. What I read and watched included instructions on not hurting yourself. I had some light dumbbells and practiced when I was alone to get the basic movements.

Walking into a room full of muscle guys can be unnerving. I usually just listen to my music and ignore everyone. Everyone else was a beginner at one time. Get out there and do it. That's the only way it gets easier.

Anonymous wrote:Where do you live, OP?

I'm the 7:46 poster.

I live east of the park, close to 16th St Heights. My gym is in Chevy Chase DC.

Where do you live, OP?

I'm the 7:46 poster.

I learned to lift recently with the help of an online coach I "met" here on DCUM. I never actually met him, but he was very helpful. He explained things and sent me YouTube videos.

I downloaded the book Lift Like a Girl. I love this book! Very helpful!

I also went out and bought a book/magazine marketed to men. It had good explanations and pictures and didn't suggest endless reps with 5lb weights. I think one was put out by Men's Health magazine. Bonus: pics of buff dudes!

I combined all of the above and I'm still kind of a beginner. If I want to do something new, like add weights to the bar for the first time, I stop a random dude to show me. Sometimes, people leave weights on the floor and in my way. If they're too heavy for me, I ask a random burly dude to move it. They're very nice and happy to help, IME.

OP here. I don't know anyone who lifts. Not even any guys. And I would feel so ackward approaching some random dude at the gym.

I found my best workout partner already in the gym. She is about as strong, but more importantly is just as gung ho as I am. I say, dropset dead lift? And she gets all excited lol It's awesome. I've also found a few guys that love the way I workout to train with. It really helps if you end up at the gym around the same time. Also, I've noticed the folks in the gym at 5am don't mess around! I've found a couple people to lift with at that time. And then sometimes it's just great to be alone.

A women's only area would be excellent! I would love to have a female lifting partner but don't know anyone in my gym who would be interested. Thought about asking my male coworkers if I could join them but it seemed like it could come off flirty.

Anonymous wrote:Not the OP, but despite knowing how to lift heavy, I rarely go to the free weights area because it is man planet. it's so intimidating. I wish there were a way to make women feel more welcome there.

I know, I know, I'm a grown woman and should just be able to enter the free weights area and do what I need to do but I still feel.so self conscious.

.

That is a real concern, so I'm not going to discount it. Having a partner helps. I have on my headphones and I'm in a zone. I don't even pay attention to anyone. Also, my gym has a completely separate womens area so that's a great option.

Not the OP, but despite knowing how to lift heavy, I rarely go to the free weights area because it is man planet. it's so intimidating. I wish there were a way to make women feel more welcome there.

I know, I know, I'm a grown woman and should just be able to enter the free weights area and do what I need to do but I still feel.so self conscious.

You don't have a friend that lifts? I do a lot of heavy lifting and would be happy to teach someone.

I never thought of checking Parks and Rec -- and I just did and DPR does have a weight training class. Thanks for the help!

Parks and Rec depts usually offer weight training classes that teach you how to lift. Also, college phys ed classes offer weight training--maybe a community college by you or through an alum program. You might also want to look on Youtube for instructional videos. You should keep doing the sculpting classes, although in class high reps/light weights might be the norm in the classes you can still learn form and what you're supposed to be feeling and then take that to the gym floor on your own.

I belong to Crunch and while the gym offers a lot of great classes, those involving weights have all been lots of reps using light hand weights. (There is a kettlebell class I haven't taken and would like to check out.) I want to learn how to lift heavy in the free weight section, and there are no classes there that teach that. I would need to use a personal trainer, and I just don't have the budget for a lot of those sessions right now.

Have you gone to the lifting-centered classes at your gym? You can tell the teacher you're new to the class and ask her to help correct your form, but he/she should be making reminders about form the whole way through (ie keep your elbows close to your body when you do bicep curls). What gym do you belong to?

I'm interested in learning to lift but am intimidated to start. (I've used my free personal training sessions at my gym already, and didn't really learn what I had hoped I would, and can't afford the fees to continue the private sessions.) I've read the New Rules of Lifting for Women, but especially after the personal training sessions, I'm afraid I'll injure myself if I start without some additional guidance.

I was thinking that there must be some kind of small group, workshop-type classes available for women who want to learn to lift, but are intimidated by the free weight section at the gym and don't really know how to start. I poked around online, but couldn't really find anything in the DC area.

Any ideas? Thanks!