Wow, you hit on a topic I think most women can relate to. The first time I went into a weight room was with a trainer (male) who was smaller than I, and I kept thinking, if he's not afraid, I shouldn't be. It must have helped because I didn't run screaming. It's still scary to me though. Thanks for making me feel I'm not alone in this.

I find that listening to angry girl rock - Sleater-Kinney, Bikini Kill, stuff like that - helps me in the weight room. I feel all badass with Kathleen Hanna screaming in my ear. :)

Seriously, though, I find it empowering to be in the weight room with a bunch of stinky, grunty dudes. It makes me feel awesome to know that I'm doing the same thing as these big guys (albeit on a smaller scale), and screw them if they think I'm weird or if they look down on me because I'm smaller. I love the way weight lifting makes me feel, and I refuse to let a guy get me down about it.

I can totally relate to this, too! My biggest fear about the free weights is that someone will think that I have bad form. Then I realize that they probably aren't judging me because, hello, they are trying to work on their OWN form. And why do the weights always make your hands so freaking stinky?

What freaks me out about the weightroom, in addition to your list, Kim, is that I don't really know how to use the weights.

With a machine, you can sort of figure it out, or ask the runner next to you as they are getting off their machine "Hey, before you go, would you show me how to start this thing?"

With weights, it's me wobbling, completely unaware of either the proper bend or flex. How much weight? How many times? In what direction? So I'm in a panic already, and then you've got beefy sweaty people grunting and clanking all around you. It's psychological torture and sensory overload.

I love working out in the weight room with guys. I've been lifting weights since freshman year of high school and always at coed gyms, so I am used to it. I can see how it could be intimidating, but I feel strong and lean when I'm lifting a lot.

Sometimes a guy will come over and correct my form (er, hit on me, as my husband says) but I really try to absorb what they're teaching and if it has merit, I try to use the knowledge and remember it.

I have to agree- the weight room is scary AND smelly. and, i dont always know what to do. does anyone else find weights more boring then cardio?
Kim- way to get into the weight room character!

YES!! This post is so true. But I have to say, this is exactly why we as women get so much grief from men. I think we need to empower ourselves on all fronts. Not be scared, freaked out that we have bad form, etc. Just do it!

I loved the article. I LOVE lifting weights. For me, it gives me the sense of empowerment. Plus, weights will TOTALLY reshape your body. I can't imagine a workout with out weights. I do work at a gym and I try to help women when it comes to lifting. I want to help them and show them that they can be weight lifting bad asses too!

Amen to that sister and thank you for adding a little Hillary to the mix. I started lifting in high school when my best friend needed to train for her D1 b-ball season. She showed me all the machines and since she was diesel and most of all patient, I also grew to love the weight room. So my suggestion is let's have a take your friend to the weight room day!!! Start a new girls night out!!

I love the idea of "take your friend to the weight room day." I hate aerobics and love weight work, but mostly use machines. After spending 5 minutes in the weight room (I'm all of 4'11"), I feel like I may get stepped on. It would be easier, (mentally), if I was with a friend.

Totally agree. I hate the weight the room, its so intimidating! I'm glad it's not just me though.

I joined an all girls gym and LOVE it! The only thing I've ever felt uncomfortable with is the feeling of meatheads eyes on me. So yeah, I don't go there anymore.

Thank you Kim for writing something that I think many girls are confused about, but also something so important to incorporate into a healthy lifestyle.
I also agree with Fraulein Maria (great name by the way :)
I don't know enough about free weights to incorporate different exercises. And those big weight disk things really scare me. I decided to use a personal trainer recently and this really helped with some new ideas for the weight room. I'm still not completely confident, but I'm going to use your excellent advice, Kim, the next time I'm there. Thank you for your ideas!

Wait a minute! Girls are allowed in the weight room! Kim, you are blowing my mind! Seriously, I feel like I may as well stroll into the men's locker room. However, I would like to build stronger, well everything. So, I'll give your steps a try. Thanks for the motivation!

I love the idea of a take your friend to the weight room day! I smell a new national holiday.

Celesta, thanks for being the kind of person to show new weight-lifters the ropes. Now if only we could find one of you at every gym it would be way less intimidating.

Hilarious, Kim! True, and oh so hilarious! Thanks for mentioning something that has been a troubling situation for many of us girls =)

Have to hand it to you… You’ve got WAAAY bigger… ahem... “Medicine balls” than I do!!!!
I think the last time I went to the gym was when the fat guy sat on me in a yoga class…. He was the instructor
Or maybe it was when I fell off the stationary bike at a spin class…. Almost took out the person spinning next to me, to boot.
It’s not that I’m afraid of the giant grunting, sweating men… OR the room that smells like sweaty beasts…
Nor am I even perplexed by the giant men in tiny shorts.
The biggest reason I won’t do the weight room for fear I will get killed in a freak free-weight accident… Garrote myself w/ a barbell... Bean myself with a weight plate...

Wow, this really hit the nail right on the head!
I love what she has to say and the way she says it, great read! I hope there will be more coming from her in the future...I have been looking for a column that I can relate to for a while now, and finally I think I found it. Thanks Kim!

I feel so much more able to enter a weight room. Thanks for the help.
Patty