The free weights room

C

Curtis

0
Well, at my gym, there's a free weights room downstairs and your gym with all the wieght machines and tredmills/bikes etc upstairs, with a small section with some dumbells, barbells etc. with afew adjustable incline benches(or atleast i think thats the right term for them).

I feel that the free weights room downstairs is for all the huge people, the tredmill's are full of middle-aged people that have new years resolutions. No one ever uses the bikes etc. Along with the mats which seem to be full of people that swing both ways and are most likely going to give you relationship advice.

Getting to the point.. Everyone always talks about a full body routine as doing squats/deadlift etc and other things similiar. But thats the kind of thing that happens in the free weights room, but I'd get laughed at if I went in there. I can only curl about 30kg and bench about 40.

Can I still get decently big by just using the weights machines without having to feel under pressure from other people in the surrounding etc?

I feel like a total plank asking these stupid questions, but I've gotta learn somehow.
 
Just get over the feeling of awkwardness. If someone laughs at you, they aren't worth a damn anyways. Everyone starts somewhere!
 
I dont understand why you would feel embarressed, i see quite a few people lifting realllly low weight at my gym, nobody gives a ****.
I really cant see anybody laughing at you man i think your slightly paranoid, trust me just get on with it, nobody cares and like markmywords said....everybody starts somewhere. :)
 
I reallllly know the feeling you are describing.

When I started out, it was quite pathetic. I had a hard time with even the lightest dumbbells - and I'm no Schwarzenegger now, but you do get stronger. I look back at my log book and am so proud of how far I've come.

What got me to realize that people don't care... is when I started out, I joined a gym that was ONLY the free weights section at your gym. There were machines, of course, but the mentality was a big, beefcake bodybuilder/powerlifter one, or so I thought. I was VERY intimidated. But I introduced myself to a couple guys, swallowed my pride, and stayed modest. I was shocked at how nice everyone was, and how much they just wanted to help me. I had a few of them actually lift with me and show me how to properly deadlift, squat, etc. etc... You NEED to do these exercises, though.

It's the guys that come in wearing tight tank tops, with an "I'm so much better than you" attitude, that the guys laugh at. It doesn't matter how much they lift.
 
And if the "huge" guys see you working seriously they may offer to help you out, or if you ask them respectfully when they are not focused on something else they will probably be glad to help you and give you advice. I know I personally am impressed by people who show up regularly and appear to be giving it a serious try, no matter how big or strong they are at the moment.

When I first went to a commecial gym, after a few months when I got to know a few people and they saw I was dedicated and hard working, I went up to the biggest guy in the place and asked to be his training partner. He agreed and we trained together for about 6 months, he even talked me into entering the USAA Mr. Texas contest that year. He placed 2nd in the open division, I placed 11th in the novice division, which was not very good, but there were 40 entrants in that division, so at least I beat out 28 other guys.
 
I'm gonna try and go in their early morning one day and have a gander when it's empty. Thanks for the reply's guys.
 
Trust me, none of the 'big guys' in the freeweight room give a rats ass about how you look or how much weight you can put up.

you get big by paying attention to your own routine and not others'

I've never liked machines, and yeah, you'll get bigger on free weights faster than machines simply because of the mechanics involved. machines cheat with leverage and fulcrums...free weights are all you.
 
yeah, what I sorta look down at in the weight room is not people who are small, it's people who don't know what they are doing (bad form, bad choise of exercises, etc).
If I see some guy benching only the bar but using good form, I know he's going to improve, that he has put some energy into learning the whole lifting thing and that everyone starts somewhere.
 
They started out just like you man, they wont give a ratsass. They are probably more proud of you coming in and actully trying instead of the people who dont. And you have to remember those bigass bodybuilders started off just like how you did once upon a time.

Want to know what makes me mad lol. When a fat chick goes on a diet lol, she switches from pepsi to diet pepsi. And still eats like a hog.
 
I couldnt even bench the bar when I started out and it was a huge issue for me espescially at a power lifters gym. I used to jump on the bench press and feel like I was using it when someone more important was. But being the stubborn person I am I just put a hat and an ipod on. Cant hear them if the do say something (I doubt they did or would) and a hat (cant see them either) ignorance is bliss my friend.
 
NBS 4life said:
I couldnt even bench the bar when I started out and it was a huge issue for me espescially at a power lifters gym. I used to jump on the bench press and feel like I was using it when someone more important was. But being the stubborn person I am I just put a hat and an ipod on. Cant hear them if the do say something (I doubt they did or would) and a hat (cant see them either) ignorance is bliss my friend.
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I've got a balaclava, I guess I'll take it to the gym sometime :D

How heavy is the bar?
 
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Derwyddon said:
Everyone is there for the same reason as you - to better themselves. Just go in, keep to yourself, get your stuff done, get out. I'm a total gymaphobe, I hate going to new gyms which I have to do a lot because I travel, and I hate when other people talk to me which happens a lot. Just do what you gotta do and you'll be better off for it.
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Yeah, But what I'm worried about is becoming that guy who people speak about on here. "Lol, he was doing standing oblique side crunches in the squat rack" etc.
 
Curtis said:
Yeah, But what I'm worried about is becoming that guy who people speak about on here. "Lol, he was doing standing oblique side crunches in the squat rack" etc.
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I think the fact that you can make this comment already suggests that you wouldn't be!

I agree with what's been written above that people tend to be really nice and welcoming to any dedicated new lifter. A smile, saying 'hello' - that's usually enough. If you feel ok introducing yourself and asking for form check or spot, that's even better for getting comfortable with people.

My biggest concern with newbie lifters is safety and form, to be honest. There will be some young kids who try to load up the bar (so they don't seem 'weak') but then are completely cheating to get it done. At best, they are cheating themselves out of gains they could be making. At worst, they could hurt themselves.

Seeing someone who knows that you have to walk before you can run come and make an honest effort to grow is really cool.
 
Curtis said:
Getting to the point.. Everyone always talks about a full body routine as doing squats/deadlift etc and other things similiar. But thats the kind of thing that happens in the free weights room, but I'd get laughed at if I went in there. I can only curl about 30kg and bench about 40.

Can I still get decently big by just using the weights machines without having to feel under pressure from other people in the surrounding etc?

I feel like a total plank asking these stupid questions, but I've gotta learn somehow.
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Best thing, in my opinion, that you can do for yourself is:

Be in constant competition with yourself and worry about how you are progressing in your weight routine. Master self-competition and self-progression and you will earn your goals---despite others.

For example. I am not the biggest nor the strongest member on the forum: I dont care. I am not the youngest, but I am one of the oldest. I dont care. I only concern myself with the logistics that will assist me to earn my goal while helping others to earn there goals. Focus and hone in on YOU and you will not be disappointed. Try not to allow rather enlarged egos to encroach on your psychic and motivation. Provide your own prescription medication: Self-Competition and Self-Progession. This will make you ROCK!



Best wishes


Chillen
 
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I know what you mean - my gym is a series of rooms and the heavy plates and bars are in the very back room, adjacent to the men's locker room (I'm female) - when I first joined, all the weights over 8 pounds were kept 'back there' and I was incredibly intimidated to be there. I think of it as 'the big boys' room'.

I work with a trainer, and for a really long time I only went 'back there' with him. But I wanted to lift more frequently, so I really gathered my courage and ventured out - now it is my favorite part of the gym. The guys are really supportive - they help and encourage each other. It is like a fraternity of lifters and I see them welcoming people who are serious into the group. And there are seldom people who aren't committed in that area of the gym. The socializers are in the front rooms.

I am on the edge of the lifting group because although I lift heavier than all but one other woman at the gym, it is no where near most of the guys levels - but they will still encourage me if I am attempting soething new/difficult. And a few have even offered to spot me when the guy I train with is away or I'm working out alone. Occasionally if we are working in with someone, they will offer to remove plates - and sometimes I get the thrill of hearing the trainer say 'no, I have to add for her' and I get to see that look of surprised admiration on their faces.

It has helped me a lot to see how the serious lifters approach working out and I wouldn't have gotten that if I hadn't been brave enough to use this area of the gym.

So I say challenge yourself and go for it - once you get past the first discomfort, it is a really great part of the gym.
 
Lol, I think everyone's been in this situation when they started out unless they had a big brother or friend to take them under their wing.
I'd like to say to not worry about insecurity but I know that's pointless because you'll feel it anyway regardless of what people say here.

All I will say is that you have the choice between staying in a safe zone with the machines and friendly guys on the mats (;)) or sucking it up, going downstairs, and making sure you don't stay skinny for long

18 months ago I was just like you, I was intimidated by the squat rack and was even scared to bench in case I embarrassed myself. I was around 160lbs and would never take my top off, even at beaches. I'm over 230lbs now and am probably one of the guys that smaller guys are intimidated by. But trust me, guys like me who put sweat and tears into building strength love to see new guys trying to do it right and would gladly offer you any help you needed
 
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Curtis said:
Well, at my gym, there's a free weights room downstairs and your gym with all the wieght machines and tredmills/bikes etc upstairs, with a small section with some dumbells, barbells etc. with afew adjustable incline benches(or atleast i think thats the right term for them).

I feel that the free weights room downstairs is for all the huge people, the tredmill's are full of middle-aged people that have new years resolutions. No one ever uses the bikes etc. Along with the mats which seem to be full of people that swing both ways and are most likely going to give you relationship advice.

Getting to the point.. Everyone always talks about a full body routine as doing squats/deadlift etc and other things similiar. But thats the kind of thing that happens in the free weights room, but I'd get laughed at if I went in there. I can only curl about 30kg and bench about 40.

Can I still get decently big by just using the weights machines without having to feel under pressure from other people in the surrounding etc?

I feel like a total plank asking these stupid questions, but I've gotta learn somehow.
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Yeah i used to think the same but you get over it after a while...thing that annoys me most is having the girl at the front desk ask how my day was every time i sign in with my key card...but yeah no one cares really dude and curling 30 and benching 40 is fine! unless thats your one rep max ? Thinking that people where looking at me when lifting really affected my strength as well but i dont even care anymore when i make tons of noise and my face goes bright red and i am dripping wet lol
 
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