Re: Got over my fear of free weights.

[Guest guest]

I know exactly where you're coming from Amy. The first time I did

free weights I was TERRIFIED! I still feel that way about

barbells. Up until a few weeks ago I also felt afraid of the

assisted pull-up machine as I had a terrible first experience with

it. The lady at the gym had me get on it on my very first workout,

but she didn't explain how to get OFF it. I got to the bottom, took

one leg off, and without the weight of my body the knee pad shot

right up, taking my left leg with it. Of course I went flying

backwards and landed in an ungainly heap with my inner thighs

screaming at me. Then a few weeks ago my darling Lance had me give

it a go. He explained in great detail how to get on, and off. It

was very traumatic for me, but I'm so glad I did it now, it's the

best thing for the back muscles.

in NZ

C1W12D7

> Ok Ladies, I finally did it. I took my workout to another level.

> You know how I did it? I used free weights. Yep, that's right, I

> went to the back of the gym where all the guys hang out and

> proceeded to get the best workout of my life. And you know what?

> It felt good, damn good.

>

> If you are anything like me, you like the machines. They are self-

> spotting and there is a decent illusion of privacy. I thought I

> was doing great with my workouts, but I was starting to get

bored.

> So I moseyed on over to the back of the gym and grabbed the

smallest

> barbell (20 lbs.) On my shoulders it goes and I start crankin'

out

> the squats. Not bad, it feels pretty good in fact. Hey, look at

> that guy there, he's checking me out!! I keep increasing the

weight

> and get up to 50lbs. Had to shrug that bad boy off my shoulders

> when I finished, but damn it felt good. And you know what, the

next

> day I could barely MOVE!! My quads got a helluva good workout, so

> did the hamstrings, but best of all, my ASS was just KILLING

me!!!

> I never, and I mean NEVER had soreness so complete. I was really

> impressed with how much that did for me. Then, when upper body

day

> comes along, I'm raring to go. Grab the 5 lbs dumbbells for some

> quick chest presses. Pretty easy. Work it up to 20 lbs and

switch

> into flies (had to lower the weight to 15lbs). Wowza! I'm

feeling

> muscles I didn't even know I had! Make it through most of my

> workout on free weights and I start triceps. Slam those out and

on

> the last set, my arms are just QUIVERING with the effort to pump

out

> one more rep. It felt good! Now I know why the bohunks love the

> free weights. I've fallen in love with iron!

>

> I have always read how free weights give you a better workout

> because you are using your stabilizing muscles. Well, quit

reading

> and start lifting, because they ain't kidding! If you are getting

> bored with your workout, or you are in a rut, grab some iron and

get

> going. You won't be disappointed. And you know what? Everyone

> else there is working so hard, they don't give a crap that you

feel

> awkward!! You know how to fix that? Get to know those gym rats

> that are there every time you are. They are great sources of

> information ( " Know any great hamstring exercises? " ), plus, in the

> event you fall in love with the iron, they can make great spotters

> (So far I've met, , , Jerome, & Celia). Familiarity

helps

> dissipate that embarrassed awkward feeling a lot of us women get

> when we feel like we are treading on men's sacred ground. Well,

> what are you waiting for?? Get out there and grunt like the best

of

> them, you'll be glad you did!

[Guest guest]

What an awesome post When I first started working out a few years

ago I would say good-bye to my dh at the door of the gym and he

would trek off to the weight room while I hung out in cardio-land

for immense amounts of time. I was terrified to go down there where

all of the boys were, but my dh bullied me into it I haven't

looked back since then. We have switched gyms going from a

mainstream gym to more of a bodybuilding gym (Gold's Gym) and I had

to go through the intimidating transition again. There are machines

in the cardio room, but I just get such a killer workout with free

weights, and I am really comfortable in there, despite the fact that

I am often the only woman in the room. I wish that more women would

make that leap. It's hard at first, but you won't regret it

...new here and needing to post an intro!

> Ok Ladies, I finally did it. I took my workout to another level.

> You know how I did it? I used free weights. Yep, that's right, I

> went to the back of the gym where all the guys hang out and

> proceeded to get the best workout of my life. And you know what?

> It felt good, damn good.

[Guest guest]

Another reason for venturing into the weight room...you never know

who you'll see in there. This morning (anyone watch

Monster Garage???) was doing bench presses when I walked in

> Oh, ditto all that and more. Just this morning, I was looking down

the

> row of benches in the free-weight area at my gym (Gold's). Yep,

sure

> enough, it was just me and the guys again. I'm pretty much the only

> woman in the free weight area between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m.

>

[Guest guest]

That's a cool bonus!! Although I highly doubt there are any

celebrities in my gym.

> > Oh, ditto all that and more. Just this morning, I was looking

down

> the

> > row of benches in the free-weight area at my gym (Gold's). Yep,

> sure

> > enough, it was just me and the guys again. I'm pretty much the

only

> > woman in the free weight area between 5:00 and 6:00 a.m.

> >

[Guest guest]

oooOOOOoooooh.....I'm feeling faint.

> <bdel99@y...> wrote:

> > Another reason for venturing into the weight room...you never

know

> > who you'll see in there. This morning (anyone watch

> > Monster Garage???) was doing bench presses when I walked in

> >

> >

> >

>