I consider myself a fairly active person. I enjoy running and when the weather gets cold I go to the gym about 3-4 times a week. I usually mix it up between the treadmill and the elliptical machine, but very rarely go over to the weight machines. I usually don't feel comfortable enough to go to the machines and especially the free weights, because they don't seem to me to be a very female friendly zone. This is usually where most of the men are, and when I walk from the locker room from the gym I feel enough of them look at me- I don't want to draw more attention to myself at the free weights.
Some might see this as silly- the gym is for everyone, right? We all pay the same every month and have the right to use any and all of the equipment. But as a woman, I know I'm not alone on this one. I've spoken with female friends who feel the same way, and guy friends who don't really get it. Last night I came across an interview in Bitch magazine with Krista Scott-Dixon, who runs stumptuous.com, a website devoted to women's weight training. "The website aims to make weightlifting accessible to both beginning lifters and experienced power snatchers-it's a lifting term!- as well as combating misinformation and stereotypes about women, health, and gym culture." Scott-Dixon said that many women tell her that they don't feel the gym is a friendly space, and she said, "I tell women to find and build community...seek out other women, and supportive men, and deliberately interact with them in positive ways." Her website goes into more detail with tips on how to get started, but there is also a lot on the site about misinformation that is fed to women about health and fitness. This post, "Lies in the gym," goes into not just what she's heard, but tons of feedback from females who have heard ridiculous things- like that heavy lifting makes their ovaries drop, or that they shouldn't weight lift if they aren't ugly. Common myths Dixon goes into are that men train and women "tone," women shouldn't lift heavy weights because it will make them huge and masculine, and that building muscle will push fat out and make you look bulky.
I'm glad a site like this exists, and I'm going to take some more time to peruse through it. It's nice to know I'm not the only one who doesn't feel entirely comfortable at the gym-especially with weights- and that there are tips for female beginners that deal with that issue. However, all this aside, I still think I'd be most comfortable at a female only gym. Or at least one where more women used the weights.
Image from stumptous.com
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Women and Weight Lifting
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2 comments:
At the gym I used to go to, I used the weight machines and free weights each time I worked out. I was usually one of a few other females in the weight area, but I never felt as though the area wasn't female friendly. Even though most of the guys there seemed intimidating from their appearances, they were generally very nice and considerate. (I know this is just my personal experience and of course varies by gym.)
What gave me the confidence to exercise in the weight area was to work with one of the personal trainers. Once the trainer introduced me to the types of machines and exercises, I wasn't embarrassed or hesitant to use the weighs. Plus, after you incorporate it into your workout, it's nothing unusual but just another day at the gym.
(Also, once a trainer shows you how to PROPERLY use the equipment, you'll notice how many of those meatheads have no idea what they're doing.)
You make a good point about being more comfortable after working with a personal trainer. I think the reason most women are hesitant is because the area is just so unfamiliar- and the "advice" aimed at women in lady mags about exercise doesn't usually highlight a lot of weight lifting. Being shown the ropes would probably help me, I think.
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