Ladies Only Introduction to Lifting

g'em

So in this thread I promised to try and organise a ladies' only lifting session so give some of the girls here (lurkers and posters like!) a chance to make themselves more comfortable with the fairly daunting task of lifting weights.

I'm a huge advocate of weights for weight loss, fitness and general well-being, and I'd love to give some women the confidence to be able to go into the gym and hold their own alongside the guys. The truth is, by and large, women take to weights a lot quicker than guys do - we tend to have better kinesthetic awareness (we instinctually understand the way our bodies move and how to move them), our flexibility tends to be a little better and we stand to gain an awful lot from being stronger (not bigger, just stronger - try as we might the getting bigger bit just doesn't happen to our testosterone-deprived forms ).

So, the good folk at RAW gym in Portobello, Dublin 2 have very, very kindly offered to let us have free access to their gym on Saturday 19th June from 12pm onwards - RAW is an excellent gym with all the free-weight facilities you could possibly need as well as a plentiful supply of cardio machines and classes*. So what better place to get comfortable with the bar than here, in a safe, controlled environment under the watchful eye of yours truly

We'll be going through some barbell basics and concentrating on some compound lifts that will give you the best bang for your buck for all your fitness and weight loss goals. We'll also go through some core-work and exercises to help trouble-shoot some common problem area. If anyone has any specific requests for exercises they'd like to know about just shout!

This introductory session is completely free, just let me know on-thread if you're available and if you'd like to take part and I'll answer any questions that you guys have.

[I'm also trying to organise an Introduction to Olympic Lifting but I have to confirm the venue for this and hopefully I'll have it up and running in the coming weeks]


*they even have a tyre to flip - FUUUUUNNNNNNN!!!!!!!

rainbow kirby

Sign me up!

Ginny

same here

Hermione*

I would love to do this! I have plans for that afternoon though

How long do you think the session will be, g'em?

g'em

It'll probably be a couple of hours - I want to make the most of the free space while I can But it will essentially be as long as everyone wants it to be.

Ginny

Or until we collapse?

Hermione*

g'em wrote: »

It'll probably be a couple of hours - I want to make the most of the free space while I can But it will essentially be as long as everyone wants it to be.

Dammit, I'll have to miss it so :mad::(

It sounds amazing though. If you ever do a second one, I'd be very interested!

Molberts

This sounds great, I would LOVE to come along!

Little bit of background: went from training as a professional dancer to working behind a desk (studio desk so fun though!) and running own business. Got a car, got lazy and stupidly let my flexibility and fitness disappear

7 years later precious little time off to exercise combined with laziness has turned me from a super fit and toned size 6/8 to a podgy out of shape 10 Doesnt sound bad but I feel unhealthy and I really miss being fit, strong and flexy!

Also the ladies in my family are prone to knee and other joint issues that I'd really like to avoid and my back is starting to hurt from crappy posture :rolleyes:

yay exciting!

What do we need to bring/wear/etc? thanks so much for organising this you're a star!

g'em

Ginny wrote: »

Or until we collapse?

or that too :pac:

Hermione* wrote: »

It sounds amazing though. If you ever do a second one, I'd be very interested!

Cool - if there's a demand for another one (and I can get a venue again!) then I'll definitely do it another time

Molberts wrote: »

What do we need to bring/wear/etc?

Just bring yourself and a bottle of water! Clothes wise be comfortable and don't wear anything restrictive or conversely too loose - a fitted t-shirt and loose tracksuit bottoms or yoga pants would be ideal, or the same kind of clothes you'd wear to an aerobic class. We'll be squatting so anything that gives you a builder's crack wouldn't be ideal

Regular trainers are fine.

Wibbs

Brilliant idea and brilliant offer G'em. Knowing women who've gone the weights route it can make a big diff, plus builds bone density which can be a problem for women and increases production of human growth hormone which is good for all sorts of stuff including keeping skin looking better.







I can endorse this 100% knowing as Im not a lady, my lazy bum cant be pressganged into it

Morgase

This sounds just brilliant! Please sign me up. Thanks a million for organising this!

tempura

Would love to go to this but work saturdays, any chance of a sunday one sometime ?

Dotcomdolly

Sounds brilliant, I'd love to avail of it.
I really need to develop a "core o' steel" to counteract my wonky pelvis.
Developed spd (symphysis pubis dysfunction) on both pregnancies & the pain continued long after the 2nd one. Got physio about 2 yrs ago - turns out my right hip rides higher which pulls everything out of kilter and which is a major contributing factor to the pelvic pain.
Started running last Summer and have been having issues with my left calf - and guess what? - most likely because of my wonky pelvis.
I've done some weight training since January & love it & would love to learn more.
See you there!

RacoonQueen

Can we come to play even if we've done plenty of lifting before?

Would definitely like to have a look at the olympic lifting one.

Portobello is such a lovely place. What a wonderful choice of venue. :pac: Have always wanted to go into RAW actually.

g'em

tempura wrote: »

Would love to go to this but work saturdays, any chance of a sunday one sometime ?

Possibly, again it depends on gym availability

RacoonQueen wrote: »

Can we come to play even if we've done plenty of lifting before?

I'm going to be a little cheeky and say that I'd ideally like the spaces to go to women who haven't done a lot of lifting before because I don't think there's very much in the way of introduction to lifting classes out there. But if space permits it, no problem

Jessibelle

I'd love love love to come if there's still spaces?

Michellenman

I'm in, assuming I'm not working

Do you have any idea what time It'll be going until? Just so I can swap shifts if needs be.

Cheers G'em, really looking forward to this!

g'em

Michellenman wrote: »

Do you have any idea what time It'll be going until? Just so I can swap shifts if needs be.

I think most people will have had enough after a couple of hours It'd be fairly safe to assume you'll be done and dusted by 2.30pm

hollypink

I'd like to come if there are spaces still? I've always avoided weights because I don't know what I'm doing!

JosephineM

Sounds like a great idea and I'd love to come.... I am petrified of the weights section in gym!! But I will be on holidays on that day.... if you are doing another one I would defo go.

Bottle_of_Smoke

Fair play to ya g'em this is a really decent thing to do.

zzxx

This sounds great! Count me in

smoggy11

I'm in!

If theres no spaces though, or somebody with no experience of weights wants my spot, I will gladly give it up, the more people we can get squatting the better!

El_Drago

I'm not a lady but I'd recommend any lady who is new to weightlifting to go along to this.From being a regular lurker and poster (under a previous username) in the fitness forum for 3+ years, I would recommend G'em to anyone who wants to know a thing or two about fitness.Put simply, she knows her **** when it comes to training.

Partaking in G'em's famous "Boards Fitness Easter Challenge" 2 years ago was, as corny as it may sound, one of the best things that I've ever done for my health.

Seraphina

G'em very kindly organised a day like this in the Trinity gym a couple of years back which I went along to, and I would heartily endorse this product and service She's a great teacher and a great motivator, and learning to lift properly can and will do wonderful things for your physique and overall feelings of awesomeness!

I would encourage any ladies interested to do whatever they can to get along to this afternoon, you won't regret it

dolliemix

This sounds brilliant. I'm away that weekend unfortunately but its a really generous offer Gem.

Have a great day everyone!

Catari Jaguar

Definitely up for this! Something I'm looking to get properly educated about.

Dotcomdolly

smoggy11 wrote: »

I'm in!

If theres no spaces though, or somebody with no experience of weights wants my spot, I will gladly give it up, the more people we can get squatting the better!

+1, I have done a little & wouldn't like to take the place of someone who needs it more.

Doolee

I'd love to come along if theres room for a newbie! I've lifted a bit before with a personal trainer but would love to learn more, plus, i've always wanted to go to RAW gym but never plucked up the courage!
And G'em, as a long time lurker, you really do know your stuff, thanks for organizing this!

Lola87

If there's still places I'd love to come too

g'em

Girls I'm absolutely blown away at the response to this, it's fantastic! We've filled up all the spaces now (everyone who's posted to this far has a spot ) but the great news is that RAW have very kindly said that they'll let me hold another one of these in the gym in the near future (major kudos to the lads there, its so generous of them) so I'll put up another date shortly.

Can't wait to see you all next week!

elba

I'd really like to attend this but understand if you want to give priority to regular posters rather than just readers like me.

I was a member of a gym for a while but only ever used the machine weights, and would be really interested in knowing what to do with the free ones.

g'em

Hi elba, this session is full unfortunately but you're definitely welcome to come along to the next one (date tbc)!

elba

Thanks, I must have missed your post saying the places were gone while trying to find a user name that hadn't been taken

Dolbert

I would love to come to the next one, have been interested in weights for ages but have no idea where to begin! I love the idea of a class expecially for women

Dotcomdolly

g'em wrote: »

Girls I'm absolutely blown away at the response to this, it's fantastic! We've filled up all the spaces now (everyone who's posted to this far has a spot ) but the great news is that RAW have very kindly said that they'll let me hold another one of these in the gym in the near future (major kudos to the lads there, its so generous of them) so I'll put up another date shortly.

Can't wait to see you all next week!

Great stuff, really looking fwd to it. And just saw where RAW is - 2 doors down from where my dads drycleaners was in the 80's

Molberts

yay really looking forward to this!

thanks again G'em, see you saturday

Doolee

g'em wrote: »

Girls I'm absolutely blown away at the response to this, it's fantastic! We've filled up all the spaces now (everyone who's posted to this far has a spot ) but the great news is that RAW have very kindly said that they'll let me hold another one of these in the gym in the near future (major kudos to the lads there, its so generous of them) so I'll put up another date shortly.

Can't wait to see you all next week!

Thank you G'em! Cant weight!

chickenchaser

Hope it all goes well on Sat.

Looking forward to getting a spot on the next free introduction session!

Hermione*

g'em wrote: »

Girls I'm absolutely blown away at the response to this, it's fantastic! We've filled up all the spaces now (everyone who's posted to this far has a spot ) but the great news is that RAW have very kindly said that they'll let me hold another one of these in the gym in the near future (major kudos to the lads there, its so generous of them) so I'll put up another date shortly.

Can't wait to see you all next week!

Yea, I'm delighted to hear there'll be another one! I really want to make that one

Thanks again, g'em!

gymfreak

+1 delighted to hear that we'll get another chance!!!

thanks g'em

Jessibelle

Lads I can't amke it this saturday after all Stupid work!!! But it means there's a free spot if anyone that wanted to go after me would like it?
definitely going to the next one now!

figroll

Thanks so much for once again putting so much effort in G'em.. Thanks to Raw also. I know myself and my sisters would love to come to the next one!

MissMotivated

I live in Tipperary but would love to try make it up for the next session!

g'em

Alrighty girls, so the list for this Saturday is as follows:

rainbow kirby
Ginny
Molberts
Morgase
Dotcomdolly
Michellenman
hollypink
zzxx
smoggy11
cherub rock
Doolee
Lola87
+ 3 girls who PM'd me

If anyone can't make it just let me know, and just to reiterate that I'll definitely be organising this again - anyone who has expressed an interest here but couldn't go will of course be given first preference

The map to the gym is here - apparently there's limited parking but it's very easy to get to from town (just at the top of Camden St. - if you pop inot the Spar beside the Bleeding Horse they'll tell you where to go!) and from the LUAS.

See you all on Saturday girls - if you could be there anytime from 11.45am onwards to get the paperwork signed off that would be just fabulicious

Maple

I won't be able to make this as I'm going to be fabulously hungover but well done g'em for organising this, it looks great.

I might come along and wave through the window at you.

Silverfish

I thought I wouldn't be about for this, now Ive discovered that I would be, so I'm pre-emptively stating interest for the next one!

Vegeta

I know I'm not a girl but saw this on the front page and just wanted to congratulate everyone involved.

This is the reason boards is great. What an excellent idea and I hope everyone has a good time.

jellie

i wouldve been interested but only saw this thread now, boo

im curious though, what does it involve? im presuming itd only be small enough weights?

if theres a if-someone-drops-out-and-theres-a-spare-space-going list can you put me on it please

g'em

jellie wrote: »

im curious though, what does it involve? im presuming itd only be small enough weights?

now lady, you know me well enough to know that I don't do 'small' weights

I'm of the firm belief that women grossly underestimate their own strength, we've had it conditioned into us that the pink weights are for the girls, and the big black yokes are for the boys who want to get big and bulky. Rubbish I say!!

The day will centre around compound lifts like squats and deadlifts, rows and lunges, the kinds of exercises that will help women get stronger and fitter, get a better shape and increase their metabolic efficiency. The majority of girls all have the same trouble-spots they'd like to work on - tums, bums, thighs and arms and the exercises we'll be doing will target those areas, as well as working on overall strength and fitness.

We can do all the same exercises that the guys can do, but a lot of women don't do because they're not sure why they should do them, are afraid of them or afraid of not being able to do them right with the boys around. I would love, love, love for the girls to be able to come out of this with the confidence to hold their own in their own gyms. Everyone has to start somewhere, and this is a bit of a leg up for the girls who want that start

We'll also be doing some stretching and core work and we'll talk about how to put your own program together. In short, it'll be a bit of hard work and a lot of fun

Innervision

I'd definitely be interested in the next one Really loving the sound of it it's such a great idea!