To think some women could lift heavier in the gym?

If I see one more person say “lift heavy” I might have to start drinking heavy.

I love to lift heavy, chasing a pb is what motivates me. Lifting in that way isn’t really conducive to a class environment though, unless it’s a very small group weightlifting focussed session. The kind of class you describe seems like a lower weight higher rep type class.

I see very few people (male or female) lifting to their full potential in the gym. It’s a commercial gym though, not a specialist weightlifting gym. I have been to one of
those and it’s a completely different environment.

I love seeing women lift weights. Whatever they are lifting is relative to their experience and goals.

It is really sad to read so much about toning and not wanting to bulk though
it’s not like you’ll lift heavy weights, wake up one day and be fuck somehow I gained 10kg lean muscle
lifting heavy weights leans you out, you have to make a proper effort to gain enough muscle to look bulky

like both of these women lift all the time, neither are bulky

I would like to point out that “lift heavier” does not make grammatical sense.

it is a comparative adjective. It needs a noun.

Lift heavier weights.

When i was younger ( in the 80s) I used to love going to the gym and liftvheavy. It was still quite new for women to be doing that then but there were some fabulous role models such as Rachel McLish, Beverly Francis, Carla Dunlop and more.
For a long time I looked great and kept training up after I had kids. Im 60 now, the menopause got the better of me, depression struck and then just as I'm recovering and my mindset improved and I'm ready to lift. I get a rectal prolapse so I now cant lift heavy RDL's ( my one time favourite) , do certain squats etc.

The OP doesn't know people's life story. Even if people are going for a social occasion, they are off the settee and doing something for their well being.

I mean sure, some may be unaware that they need to lift heavier to achieve their goals. Or they may have different goals. Or they may just not care. They may just want to get their heart beating and their blood pumping. They may have chosen that class because they have an hour to kill while waiting for the next bus, or because it's the only day/time they have away from their kids, or because they fancy the instructor. We can't assume to know what their goals are just because they're there.

You’re exercising so don’t be embarrassed. When you increase the weight though remember to decrease reps so try 1kg for 5 reps initially and then build it up. Good luck!

I’m so embarrassed I’ve been using 0.5kg weights for 6 months now daily and they still hurt and feel heavy I can only do 25 repetitions of each exercise. Maybe I’m just weak and it’ll take me longer to progress I tried 1 kg and couldn’t manage at all

It’s not curiousity. If it was, the OP would ask the people in the gym. It’s an excuse to be nasty about people.

The post 2 before yours isnt curiousity at all. Its horrible nasty judgement.

A class where 8kg is classed as a heavy weight isn’t really a ‘weightlifting’ class though more a class that uses weights! If it works for those going then fantastic but I do think it’s off for the OP to be so judgmental when she is actually using pretty low weights in the grand scheme of things.

Well they clearly are watching. And it’s not your time or money so how does it affect you? There are a lot of things I could say are a waste of time and money but it’s not my time and not my money so I don’t care.

The fact that people like you and OP are happy to admit you judge is really crap. Surely any exercise is a good thing?

You have to be very insecure to use the performance of others to feel better. Especially when you know jack shit about them.

those women have specifially chosen a weightlifting class, so they are probably not terrified of weigths and building muscle as a general concept. Then they go, month after month, lifting the same very light weight that offers very minimal benefits. Better than nothing, but minimally.
Sure they may be just going for the social side or something, but I suspect many also believe they can't touch anything heavier, as will wake up looking like Arnold the next day. Whereas what would really happen is that they might actually achieve the 'toned' look they're after.

Genuine curiosity is fine. Judgement dressed up as curiosity is less palatable. Given that the answer to OP's question is so obvious (people exercise for different reasons!), I suspect the latter.

& this is why I hate gyms tbh - people like OP being such a judgemental cow

How does she know what conditions they have ? None would know about mine she's judging other people

I always work out in the mornings. Some days I lift lighter but faster to get a cardio effect in my workout. Some days I lift lighter if I haven't fueled very much before hand. Some days I lift lighter if I know I will have other "lifting" jobs that day ie carrying deliveries. Loads of reasons I might do light weights. But my PBR is 95k deadlift.
Generally I'm someone who pushes really hard at the gym and end up stinking and sweaty. If I don't have access to a shower straight after, I take it easier which might involve lifting lighter.

But maybe I want to build up my strength, that’s my goal and I need to. But I have to start low and steady.

Yes. You are being unreasonable.

I can bicep curl 20’s but I can leg press 260kg at the moment. Why aren’t you putting more effort in and doing that? See how ridiculous it sounds? 🙈

I use 2.5 Kg for cable lateral raises at the end of my push workout. It gives me a crazy pump and I have nice muscly shoulders. It's not all about the amount of weight lifted.

I only do 2.5kg dumbell weights as it's all I can lift. I'm fat and weak. However I'm still moving, which is more than I do at home and work so that's my goal. Every time I've tried to lift heavy I've torn something, usually around my shoulder, so I am super cautious. Going to the gym is always better than doing nothing.

No one is watching others - others just happen to be right in front of us. Why all this super-sensitivity and exagerrated reaction?

OP was talking about people who do not have conditions. I'm simply pointing out that if you choose to go to a strength training class then you have to be prepared to be challenged, otherwise it's a waste of your time and money.

Do whatever is best for you. No one cares what you choose to do.

Quite clearly your situation is not what is being referred to. OP was talking about women who go to strength training classes and do little strength training.

Go to whichever gym you feel comfortable with. Every gym is designed to challenge people and encourage them to work harder, though.

Why do you care? I had my lymph nodes removed and I am only allowed to use very light weights it's absolutely nothing to do with you or anyone else frankly you sound weird watching others i can honestly say I have never noticed what weights others use

Is no-one allowed any curiosity?