Scared of Weight Training?

[effie12]

I've been going to my college's gym pretty much daily, but I've stuck to the cardio section. I don't know what it is about the upstairs weight training area, but I just can't bring myself to go. I'm not worried about bulking up, I guess I'm more worried about what I'm supposed to do there. I've never done weight training except for a brief period in my gym class my junior year of high school. So my question is, what do you suggest for beginners when it comes to weight training? Should I go before or after my cardio workout? Are there any exercises that will help tone up my arms and inner thighs? How much weight should I lift, smaller amounts and more reps?

Well maybe it is all of the muscular men who freak me out...

Thanks a bunch,

Effie

[Mel]

My first thought is that you should pick up a copy of
The New Rules of Lifting for Women: Lift Like a Man, Look Like a Goddess by Lou Schuler, M.S., Cassandra Forsythe, and Alwyn Cosgrove. It will demystify the gym, cardio and food.

Be brave!

Mel

[CatR]

Here is a link for the forum for NROL4W: http://forums.jpfitness.com/new-rules-lifting-women/

I have done the workouts and they are great!

[BeaBaby]

Hi Effie,

Def get New Rules for Women or Body For Life. I was totally green about weights up until a couple of weeks ago and was scared of the gym in general, not just the weight section, lol. The books really lay out the basic moves you need for success and this site is a goldmine of fantastic info and great people, all willing to help. It's only taken me a couple of weeks to get to grips with what moves work which muscle etc.. I'm still learning and, like I say, this site is priceless for that.

Once I got to the gym, I was terrified of going to the men's section where the heavy weights live. But I knew I had to and people on this site told me to just go for it. I am over there now and it's totally fine - then guys, especially the big muscular ones are waaaay to into themselves than you, trust me! You'll prob feel a bit weird at first but you'll quickly get used to it.

It's always nerve wracking at first but just go for it and you'll be fine! But def, def, def get the books first - if you're serious about it, you'll need them.

Bea.

[effie12]

Hi ya'll and thanks so much for the replies!

I will definitely order a copy of that book! I decided to try and do a little resistance training today (I got really bored on the treadmill) and did the rowing machine for about 20 minutes. As it is freezing and raining, the gym was pretty much empty so it wasn't too scary.

Thank you all again, so much!

Effie

[jamsk8r]

Ditto on the book, and good for you getting in there today! I was intimidated, when I started. NROL4W is nice, because it's only 6 exercises, if I remember correctly, and if you're really intimidated, you can start with just 1 or 2 of those exercises, just practicing them with light weights, and just to get into the weights section for even a few minutes. The more you get in there, the easier it will be, and you'll see it's just as much where you belong as any other part of the gym.