Free weights & gender

[cerridwen]

At every gym I've worked out at, the vast majority (90%) of people using free weights are men.

 

Women, in my small sampling, seem to favor the weight machines.

 

So, have you also found this to be true and what's the reason?

[anne1707]

It's the same at my gym though I am one of the 10% of women who use the free weights. Mind you the men at the gym I go to now are not as much ugg, man lift weight, grunt louder than necessary, no neck brigade

 

I know by using free weights that I am getting a much more balanced workout e.g. for my arms, I am naturally FAR stronger with my right so by using free weights I know I have to work my left just as hard as my right. With the machines, my right can take up more than its share of the strain.

[thehead]

Hey cerridwen...yeah guys gravitate to the free weights since they give better results, a wider range of motion, you aren't limited to the one or two movements the machine gives you.

 

Women aren't as serious about building up muscle in a particular way as we guys are. That's my guess why they stick to the weight machines.

[tman666]

I think there are a few causes for this, even though it's highly individual.

 

Some women simply do not care about getting stronger, learning how to lift, etc. It's not in their interest set. So that's fine; to each their own.

 

Some are interested and know that lifting should be an integral part of their training programs, but are often turned away by perceived inaccessibility; i.e. too many exercises to choose from, not sure how to effectively implement weights (i.e. how many sets? reps? what exercises? how much weight?), too many dudes grunting/being sweaty/intense/etc.

 

Some are repelled by the (wrong) notion that they'll get huge if they lift. They see the juiced up female bodybuilders and think that those types of figures are produced from weight training alone.

 

I work out at a gym where there are usually at least 30-40 percent (some days higher) of the "weight room people" are women. One big factor in this is that there are a lot of bikini and figure competitors that train there. While a competition such as bikini or figure isn't for everyone, to me it shows that the more women are doing it, the less awkward it becomes for the others. Basically, you ladies out there need to do your part in getting in the weight room and setting a good example for your sistahs .

[Chocolat]

Some are repelled by the (wrong) notion that they'll get huge if they lift. They see the juiced up female bodybuilders and think that those types of figures are produced from weight training alone.

 

 

This is the excuse I hear the most. In my gym, I am usually the only woman in the free weight area, and just about the only person -- male or female -- who goes near the squat rack. (To be fair, there are sometimes guys curling in the squat rack, so I can't say they never use it. )

 

Whe whole "getting huge" thing baffles me, especially in an exchange like this:

 

Acquaintance: You look great! You're so toned and thin!

Me: Thanks!

Acquaintance: Do you swin? Your arms are so defined!

Me: No, I lift weights.

Acquaintance: Oh, I couldn't do that - I don't want to get big.

 

 

Anyway, another possible reason is that working out with free weights is much harder than using the machines. Pound for pound, you work harder with a free weight than with a machine weight. I'm thinking this has something to do with it, too.

[tman666]

This is the excuse I hear the most. In my gym, I am usually the only woman in the free weight area, and just about the only person -- male or female -- who goes near the squat rack. (To be fair, there are sometimes guys curling in the squat rack, so I can't say they never use it. )

 

Whe whole "getting huge" thing baffles me, especially in an exchange like this:

 

Acquaintance: You look great! You're so toned and thin!

Me: Thanks!

Acquaintance: Do you swin? Your arms are so defined!

Me: No, I lift weights.

Acquaintance: Oh, I couldn't do that - I don't want to get big.

 

 

Anyway, another possible reason is that working out with free weights is much harder than using the machines. Pound for pound, you work harder with a free weight than with a machine weight. I'm thinking this has something to do with it, too.

 

Curling in the squat rack!!!!???

[Chocolat]

Curling in the squat rack!!!!???

 

 

I could understand it if the guy had to curl some amount greater than the fixed bars that are available. But 99% of the time the guy is curling well under 100 pounds.

 

Of course, I should be careful what I wish for. The other day, I did see a guy squatting in the squat rack. I got all excited for a minute as I watched him load up 3 plates on a side. Then he got under the bar, moved back and... squatted a whopping 3 inches.

 

Oh well, the good news is that I rarely have to wait for equipment.

[tman666]

Of course, I should be careful what I wish for. The other day, I did see a guy squatting in the squat rack. I got all excited for a minute as I watched him load up 3 plates on a side. Then he got under the bar, moved back and... squatted a whopping 3 inches.

 

Haha this why I'm skeptical of people spouting off their supposed squat poundages on the internet or otherwise. Deadlift (in my opinion) is way more honest: you either get the lift or you don't.

 

What's sort of sad is that bro on the squat rack probably tells people he can squat 315.

[Ross MwcFan]

I've never actually noticed this before, but now that I think about it, it is true. Women in gyms mainly use machines and it does seem to be very rare to see them use free weights.

 

I've honestly got no idea why this is.

[anne1707]

Haha this why I'm skeptical of people spouting off their supposed squat poundages on the internet or otherwise. Deadlift (in my opinion) is way more honest: you either get the lift or you don't.

 

What's sort of sad is that bro on the squat rack probably tells people he can squat 315.

 

 

:lmao: There's me at 5ft nothing and I have often gone on weight machines after some men who look as if they have been really struggling with the weight for their 8ish reps only to find I have to increase the weight to actually feel the benefit with my higher numbers of reps.

 

I use free weights pretty much most of the time now. You have to do all the work rather than letting the machine take some of the strain. It is far more effective, far more balanced and far more of a challenge.

[cerridwen]

:lmao: There's me at 5ft nothing and I have often gone on weight machines after some men who look as if they have been really struggling with the weight for their 8ish reps only to find I have to increase the weight to actually feel the benefit with my higher numbers of reps.

 

I use free weights pretty much most of the time now. You have to do all the work rather than letting the machine take some of the strain. It is far more effective, far more balanced and far more of a challenge.

 

I've noticed this as well, Anne.

I'm willing to weather the stares of the men when I encroach on their Free Weights territory, if it means better results.

 

It's not as though I'm hogging benches or messing up their routines. There's just a decidedly Boys Only kind of vibe to the room.

 

Ah well...thanks for responses everyone.

 

Tman, Chocolat, you inspire me.

head, makes sense my brotha.

Ross, odd innit?

[Chocolat]

I've noticed this as well, Anne.

I'm willing to weather the stares of the men when I encroach on their Free Weights territory, if it means better results.

 

Go for it! I am the only woman in the free weight area in my gym and I am also older than most of the guys. Initially, I got some looks, but I just did my thing and didn't let it worry me. With time came acceptance, and I am now a "go-to" person when someone wants to know the right form or the best movement to work a particular body part. Not saying I am an expert by any means, just illustrating that that the stares of wonder can turn to stares of respect.

 

Besides, the benefits in health and appearance can't be beat!

[KR10N]

I've only seen one woman use free weights at the gym. Not counting the one time I used them. 99% of the time it's a total dude-fest at the weights. Sadly enough, all the men have huge bellies & ripped arms. They could spend a little time on their mid-section using a machine.

[Trojan John]

Haha this why I'm skeptical of people spouting off their supposed squat poundages on the internet or otherwise. Deadlift (in my opinion) is way more honest: you either get the lift or you don't.

 

What's sort of sad is that bro on the squat rack probably tells people he can squat 315.

 

Absolutely one of my pet peeves. That and guys doing pull ups, but barely extending their arms.

[sally4sara]

For someone starting out, taking discs off and putting others on becomes a workout in of itself. Where as with the machines, you turn a knob, pull out a pin and put it back in at a different setting without much effort.

 

Also, with the machines, a lower weight setting isn't as obvious to others taking note. It is very obvious how much (or how little) one is using with free weights.

[tman666]

Absolutely one of my pet peeves. That and guys doing pull ups, but barely extending their arms.

 

I will say that I think that limited range motions (partials) can be useful for working a certain part of the movement. For example: rack pulls for deadlift lockouts, high box squats, board presses for bench press lockout, etc.

 

I know some very big guys that generally train pull ups with a limited range of motion. In essence, partial movements have their place, despite the limited perceived "functionality".

 

Something tells me the guy doing the 3" squats wasn't working partials though.