Weightlifting for women

Galbin

I want to learn free weights. Not machines. Are there any clubs or trainers in the Kildare or Dublin city area? I've never found gyms to be good as they all told me that I should do the high rep low weight nonsense. I just want to learn how to deadlift, squat etc. properly.

ninjabox

The only exercises you really need to be shown are the dangerous ones like deadlifting. bodybuilding.com has a video for every exercise, and there's actually a female video for each one!

You could just look up the following exercises and go into the gym and do them very easily:

- hammer curls
- dumbbell row
- side laterals
- assisted lat pull-ups
- dumbbell lunges
- incline dumbbell press
etc

Then just ask the instructor about the ones your not sure about. Also I personally think deadlifts are just too dangerous I used to do them but my back was giving me trouble.

purplestar77

Sphere fitness are in Maynooth and D2. Definitely no special treatment for the girls

Rower2

Deadliifts are great for toning up

Hanley is a great PT. You should pm him about his gym

lorrim

ninjabox wrote: »

The only exercises you really need to be shown are the dangerous ones like deadlifting. bodybuilding.com has a video for every exercise, and there's actually a female video for each one!

You could just look up the following exercises and go into the gym and do them very easily:

- hammer curls
- dumbbell row
- side laterals
- assisted lat pull-ups
- dumbbell lunges
- incline dumbbell press
etc

Then just ask the instructor about the ones your not sure about. Also I personally think deadlifts are just too dangerous I used to do them but my back was giving me trouble.

How are deadlifts too dangerous? If done correctly, they are a brilliant exercise, working glutes, hamstrings & lower back. I don't agree that you only need to be shown how to do "dangerous" exercises. It's very difficult for you to tell if you are using good form using the gym mirrors, having a good instructor will correct your issues - and prevent injury.

I used a PT for 6mths, really helped me to get started, thoroughly recommend it. I'd be still seeing them if I could afford it!

Where in Dublin are you looking - http://www.revolutionfitness.ie/ (Hanley) is in D3. Or http://www.rawcondition.ie/ in Portobello are good choices.

ninjabox

lorrim wrote: »

How are deadlifts too dangerous? If done correctly, they are a brilliant exercise, working glutes, hamstrings & lower back. I don't agree that you only need to be shown how to do "dangerous" exercises. It's very difficult for you to tell if you are using good form using the gym mirrors, having a good instructor will correct your issues - and prevent injury.

I used a PT for 6mths, really helped me to get started, thoroughly recommend it. I'd be still seeing them if I could afford it!

Where in Dublin are you looking - http://www.revolutionfitness.ie/ (Hanley) is in D3. Or http://www.rawcondition.ie/ in Portobello are good choices.

Deadlifts put your spine at risk, you just have to to one incorrect deadlift to pull your back out! I'm a girl and I used to deadlift, I got the instructor to show me the correct form, but one day I tried to lift heavier than before and my form suffered, resulting in back pain. Decided I could go without it after that. Unless you are a powerlifter you can sacrifice the deadlift, the risks can outweigh the benefits.

Also I don't see why you should have to shell out for a PT to show you how to do hammer curls or side laterals, especially as they can be very expensive.

LuckyLloyd

Any incorrect or sudden movement while supporting weight can put your back out. People put out their backs on all sorts of weight lifting variations. You can ruin your posture and shoulders from benching too much, etc.

Getting up out of your chair and going to do any form of exercise carries a certain degree of risk with it. But it is worth learning how to do such things properly and safely.

The Deadlift is one of the ultimate exercises. A relatively simple movement that hits so many muscle groups at once. It also makes you feel ten feet tall to pick a bar with a bit of weight up off the ground, so it has that going for it too. All of the big compound exercises are worth learning how to do.

jugger0

ninjabox wrote: »

Deadlifts put your spine at risk, you just have to to one incorrect deadlift to pull your back out!

Cool story bro but all ya gotta do is cross the road at the wrong time and your dead... does that mean you never cross the road? Man up for the love of zeus, deadlifts are too awesome an exercise to miss out on.

ninjabox

jugger0 wrote: »

Cool story bro but all ya gotta do is cross the road at the wrong time and your dead... does that mean you never cross the road? Man up for the love of zeus, deadlifts are too awesome an exercise to miss out on.

First of all I'm not a man so its going to be hard to "man up". Second you have to cross the road you don't have to deadlift.

lorrim

Is there really much point in having this argument?
Deadlift if you want to. If you don't, then don't.

OP is looking for a gym - she can make up her own mind - or with her PT - what her plan of action will be.