Now it's confession time. While I was in the weight room this week it dawned on me that I've come a long way. You see a few months back I wouldn't set foot in the weight room. I didn't really have anything against the weights, but the multiple muscle heads and grunting weight lifters totally intimidated me! Since I've been able to overcome my fear I thought I would share some tips that helped me move forward and take my fitness journey to the next level.
- Go into the weight room with a friend or significant other - When I first started weight lifting I refused to go into the weight room without the boo. I know it probably sounds silly, but somehow having him there with me made it seem less....well scary. Now I have no problems going by myself!
- Start Small - It can be intimidating when you see gym regulars lifting 500 lbs. Guess what....those same people had to start somewhere and work their way up. I'll tell you a secret...when I first started using weights regularly I could only use 2.5 lbs dumbbells and now I use 15 lb dumbbells! With a little patience you'll be where you want to be in no time.
- Some of them are just as clueless as you are! - If it makes you feel any better I promise that some of those same people in the weight room are just as clueless as you are!
- The guys (and gals) don't bite!- Seriously! The same peole that I was once intimidated by have shared machines with me during their sets or helped me lift when I couldn't quite do it by myself.
- Be Confident - Although the weight room can be scary you just have to be confident or fake it until you make it!
- Use Workout Programs - When first started weight lifting (strength training) I had no clue how to break up my workouts so they would focus on certain body parts on certain days. Reps and sets...how many should I do?! Honestly, I still have no clue how to do all of that, but I discovered an awesome free app BodySpace that has free strength training programs that provide every detail from how many reps & sets to actually providing pictures and video of how to do each exercise. How cool is that! It took all of the guess work out of it for me.
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Your transformation is amazing, keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThese are all great tips. I am always afraid that I won't know which equipment is for what.
ReplyDeleteThe great thing about the weight room is that a lot of the machines have pictures along with written instructions on how to use them. If all else fails watch a few people use the machine and then take it from there!
DeleteYour betta get it Court! The weight room is definitely your friend! Luckily at my gym there is a separate women's lifting area just in case so that we don't intimidate the guys! (or something like that...haha)
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining the #fitnessfriday movement chica!
KLP | SavingOurStrands
Wow that's a really neat idea to have a searate women's lifting area!
DeleteHaha! I was so sacred to even set foot into the weights room when I used to go to the gym, it really is sooooooooooooooo intimidating. I think if I was gyming now I would definitely go (I hope). Confidence is really key
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'd do just fine! Once you actually go in there you start to think to yourself 'what the heck was I scared of anyway!'
DeleteAwesome tips!!! I didn't know about Body Space - looking it up right now. For me, when I fall out of shape I become more intimidated because I can't do as much as I'd like and being among those who are just banging those reps out can make me feel bad. I need to get over it...or STOP falling out of shape! Great post as always!
ReplyDeleteIt's an awesome app! I'm the same way, but we all have to start somewhere!
DeleteThis is great advice! I used to be afraid of the weight room as well because I am almost always the only girl in there, but I feel like being a "regular" makes you less of a phenomenon when you come in. The first few days were pretty rough, but once I made friends and they realized I wasn't just random eye candy, things got a lot easier!
ReplyDeleteYep most of the time I'm the only female as well, but it's been my experience that the guys don't care! More often than not they're just impressed to see a girl lifting!
DeleteGreat post, the weights room was definitely intimidating to me at the beginning. I started going in there with friends and now I confidently go in alone, do my work out and leave. I find that if you just focus on what you need to do and block everyone else out, that works great.
ReplyDeleteMy Recent post on Fitness Friday - www.myeverydaytreats.co.ukl
I totally agree! Congrats on your progress! I will def check out your post :)
DeleteGreat tips, Courtnea! I don't belong to a gym but I can see how those big guys that lift heavy weights can be intimidating. I lift weights at home and prefer doing multiple reps with lighter weights. Great job with your progress and overcoming your fear of the weight room! I host a Fitness Friday Blog Hop on thehealthymoms.net every week along with some fabulous health bloggers. You are welcome to join us as well and link up on my site too. Have a terrific weekend!
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