Dear People in my Gym,
It is not acceptable to ask me questions while I'm in the middle of a set. If I am lifting weights, and not touching the machine beside me, there's a good chance I'm not using that machine. There's an even better chance of you not getting a death stare if you wait 13 seconds until I'm DONE the set to ask me if I'm using said machine.
But Skinny Guy On The Weight Floor, you take the cake. I've never, EVER, had anyone actually walk into me while I was mid-set doing cleans. MID-SET. If I hadn't been so entirely blown away by your complete disregard for my safety (I could drop the weights, you could knock me off balance and I could wrench something, ETC. ETC.) and your safety (I could drop the weights ON YOU, you could knock me off balance and I could wrench something currently attached to your body, ETC. ETC.), I would have lost my god-damned mind at you.
Furiously yours,
Still Not Over It.
P.S. Cleans are my new favourite (and least favourite) exercise.
Showing posts with label I pay someone to let me lift heavy things. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I pay someone to let me lift heavy things. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Lifty, Lifty, MOAR WEIGHTS
You know what's really painful? Washing your hands. And turning a steering wheel. Also, reaching up for, um, anything. What? That's not supposed to hurt? Tell that to my body.
I quite like weight-lifting, even if it is punishing me right now. Frustratingly, there are no free weights in the women's area of our new gym. Let's pause for a rant-y mc-rant about women's areas.
Happy - Gyms can be intimidating. Providing a smaller scale workout area is a great way to get newbies used to some of the machines and used to sweating in public (something I have never had a problem with, natch).
Sad-Panda-Face - It's not only women who might feel intimidated when Hulky McSteroid lumbers past you to squat eleventy billion pounds. It makes my inner equality voice squawk a bit.
Happy -As long as I ignore that inner equality voice, it's awesome to have a second option if everyone is using my treadmills. Selfish, but true.
Sad-Panda-Face -There are no free weights. Sweet baby jesus this is annoying. Our last McGym (read: large chain o' treadmill factories) had free weights in their women's area, but only the light ones *deep sigh* but at least there was something. Also, the machines that are in these areas are often "made for women," meaning they are painted in baby blue or pink, have odd weight increments that usually don't go as high, and are "designed for women." As all 5'4'' of me worked out next to a woman who was at least 6'1'' last night, I just don't get how that can be true. Machines adjust. Because people are different sizes. The "designed for women" machines make me irrationally angry.
Bonus Sad-Panda-Face - Exposure in a quieter, less intimidating environment is great - however, if you're limited to treadmills, stairmasters, ellipticals, and six weight machines that focus on inner thighs, you are missing out on a lot the gym has to offer. At least put some kettlebells in there. The power of free weights is that they allow you to try out a huge range of movements - much more than the one movement that ab cruncher has.
I quite like weight-lifting, even if it is punishing me right now. Frustratingly, there are no free weights in the women's area of our new gym. Let's pause for a rant-y mc-rant about women's areas.
Why Women's Areas in Gyms Make Me Happy and Sad-Panda-Face At the Same Time
Happy - Gyms can be intimidating. Providing a smaller scale workout area is a great way to get newbies used to some of the machines and used to sweating in public (something I have never had a problem with, natch).
Sad-Panda-Face - It's not only women who might feel intimidated when Hulky McSteroid lumbers past you to squat eleventy billion pounds. It makes my inner equality voice squawk a bit.
Happy -As long as I ignore that inner equality voice, it's awesome to have a second option if everyone is using my treadmills. Selfish, but true.
Sad-Panda-Face -There are no free weights. Sweet baby jesus this is annoying. Our last McGym (read: large chain o' treadmill factories) had free weights in their women's area, but only the light ones *deep sigh* but at least there was something. Also, the machines that are in these areas are often "made for women," meaning they are painted in baby blue or pink, have odd weight increments that usually don't go as high, and are "designed for women." As all 5'4'' of me worked out next to a woman who was at least 6'1'' last night, I just don't get how that can be true. Machines adjust. Because people are different sizes. The "designed for women" machines make me irrationally angry.
Bonus Sad-Panda-Face - Exposure in a quieter, less intimidating environment is great - however, if you're limited to treadmills, stairmasters, ellipticals, and six weight machines that focus on inner thighs, you are missing out on a lot the gym has to offer. At least put some kettlebells in there. The power of free weights is that they allow you to try out a huge range of movements - much more than the one movement that ab cruncher has.
Monday, October 3, 2011
The 5 Best Tips For Starting To Lift Weights
I was comparing gym habits with a coworker the other day. She weight trains, but "wouldn't be caught dead" in the main weightlifting area (vs. the women's only section). That got me thinking, what are the top things I wish I had known when I started lifting weights?
1. There's Nothing Wrong With Lifting in the Women's Section
Um, provided you're a woman, I suppose. This area is usually far less busy, generally quieter, and consequently you'll have more equipment options. In theory. If you're comfortable here, rock on.
2. The Main Section Gives You More Options
A women's section may be missing crucial equipment - I'm talking about no bench press or squat rack, more often than not. Can you work around it? Yes. But if you're paying for the full gym experience, you should feel comfortable taking advantage of everything the gym has to offer.
3. Don't Be Afraid of the Bench Press or Squat Rack
Yes, these machines are intimidating at first. There are no diagrams on the side, and as a free weight machine you may feel like you're more likely to injure yourself or drop the weights. However, it is infinitely worth it to master these exercises. Start light, ask for help, and don't be afraid to go slow.
4. Get a Spotter - or Just Ask for One
Having a spotter is like adding plus ten to your strength for every lift. Last week, with no spotter I dropped the weight for my six set after three; today, I pushed 15 pounds more with my spotter there. It's a weird mental thing, but it works. If you don't have a regular gym buddy, don't be afraid to ask for a spot from a trainer or even someone working out near you. Just remember to ask in between sets (you'd be surprised how often people talk to me in the middle of a set!), and look for someone who is a) strong enough to do it and b) looks comfortable with the exercise you're doing. Asking someone to spot me for a squat in between his free weight shoulder raises has backfired, and there's nothing worse than having a spotter you don't trust (minus ten to strength).
5. Find a Gym Buddy
Gym buddies are great. They push you to go on days you don't want to, they help you push more weight, and they keep you accountable if you're slacking. It never ceases to amaze me how willing others are to help you out and share knowledge, so take advantage! Just make sure you find someone you can trust and ideally who matches where you are in your training (at least relatively).
1. There's Nothing Wrong With Lifting in the Women's Section
Um, provided you're a woman, I suppose. This area is usually far less busy, generally quieter, and consequently you'll have more equipment options. In theory. If you're comfortable here, rock on.
2. The Main Section Gives You More Options
A women's section may be missing crucial equipment - I'm talking about no bench press or squat rack, more often than not. Can you work around it? Yes. But if you're paying for the full gym experience, you should feel comfortable taking advantage of everything the gym has to offer.
3. Don't Be Afraid of the Bench Press or Squat Rack
Yes, these machines are intimidating at first. There are no diagrams on the side, and as a free weight machine you may feel like you're more likely to injure yourself or drop the weights. However, it is infinitely worth it to master these exercises. Start light, ask for help, and don't be afraid to go slow.
4. Get a Spotter - or Just Ask for One
Having a spotter is like adding plus ten to your strength for every lift. Last week, with no spotter I dropped the weight for my six set after three; today, I pushed 15 pounds more with my spotter there. It's a weird mental thing, but it works. If you don't have a regular gym buddy, don't be afraid to ask for a spot from a trainer or even someone working out near you. Just remember to ask in between sets (you'd be surprised how often people talk to me in the middle of a set!), and look for someone who is a) strong enough to do it and b) looks comfortable with the exercise you're doing. Asking someone to spot me for a squat in between his free weight shoulder raises has backfired, and there's nothing worse than having a spotter you don't trust (minus ten to strength).
5. Find a Gym Buddy
Gym buddies are great. They push you to go on days you don't want to, they help you push more weight, and they keep you accountable if you're slacking. It never ceases to amaze me how willing others are to help you out and share knowledge, so take advantage! Just make sure you find someone you can trust and ideally who matches where you are in your training (at least relatively).
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