My abs hurt and my legs are still burning as I write this. This is the “hurts so good” aftermath of an intense Sunday morning workout. You see, recently, I made the insane decision to join a weight lifting, cross fit type gym that is geared towards women. I’ve seen the popularity of the official Cross Fit workout, but unfortunately for me the price tag that comes along with it is just not in the budget, and I am also frightened of being in the same gym as super intense weight lifters.
You can imagine my delight when I discovered, on Groupon, a deal for a local gym here in LA that is women only (it’s called Pink Iron for those of you in the LA area), with the intensity of a seriously crazy workout taught by women who compete in weight lifting competitions. This is the real deal, but with the added bonus of the incredible energy and support you get when you put a group of bad ass women all in one room. It’s magic, really.
Before I go into more detail about why this place is fantastic, let me start by saying that I was never really into lifting weights. I had no idea what I was doing in the gym half the time, so adding in a weight lifting circuit just never really happened. I also have no interest in competing, or becoming a serious weight lifter. I just want to get stronger, tone up a bit, and keep challenging myself. Also, the amount of sweat you let out during these classes helps you sleep like a rock later that night.
My first class was overwhelming to say the least. Some of the women there have been going for years, and they are STRONG. Like, really, intensely, insanely strong. At first glance, I expected them to laugh at me when I could barely lift the 15lb bar, but something else happened instead.
They cheered me on, told me their struggles at the beginning, and helped me to complete a workout.
I’m only a few weeks in, but this is something I can see myself doing for awhile.
Search your city for all female weight lifting gyms, and see what comes up. Go in for a class. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you find!
-Sasha Huff
