How does it feel to be a female trainer.....
I'm pretty used to being a 'girl in a man's world'. I grew up in construction, working for my dad since I was 13. Not only was I female, I was a kid. I had to prove myself on a daily basis. I had to overcome all the men that would either rudely dismiss me, to try to inappropriately hit on me or make comments. I had to learn to handle myself. Nothing is different in the gym. Some give you all the respect, and some think females know nothing.
I started at the gym as soon as I was legal, also 13. I remember those days feeling 'brave' to go into the 'mean's area/freeweight area". As I've progressed in my training, I lifted more, and started competing in Figure, and at this point I follow bodybuilding plans that men follow. ie: Jay Cutler's 8-week mass gain plan.
For a while, I felt more comfortable training females. People would ask, "Do you train men?", like it would be odd. Even myself I would wonder, "Could I?" Will they trust me? Would they listen to a girl? Will I be able to spot them?
So over time, that just became easier for me. By the time I left Bally's, I had men coming up asking me to train them to build, or asking how long I had been lifting. Usually with females, I can easily pick out a 5, 8 or 10lb dumbbell for them to use. With men, the weight range is much larger. It could be a 10, or a 35lb DB. I let them pick the weight that they think is right for them. I noticed that they were lifting less than me, even if they looked to 'have muscles'. So I would not try to demonstrate with my own weight. Once in a while, I would test my clients though.(well, their egos) I would demo with my weight, and then let them pick their own. They would try to grab mine or the next one up. But as they would lift I would make adjustments to their form and they would know they need to go down. I don't want to immasculate my male clients, though. It's odd enough for them that a girl is helping them lift, But eventually they see me workout and what I lift.
It's interesting to me that now when I go somewhere, like my Drive-thru Starbucks, the girl at the window will tell me her co-worker goes there and said I 'lift like a beast", lol. Today, my young membership counselor told me how when he was talking to some guys the night before they said they had never seen a girl trainer lift that much. BEASTMODE. My client tonight told me "he hates me" for my biceps and traps, lol. That fact that MEN think I'm strong...is pretty damn awesome!
It's reassuring because in my 'world', so to speak, I know a LOT of women stronger than me. Some of my girl clients give me a run for my money or are beating me outright! But with my back issues, a lot of times I can't do what I would be able to with a straighter spine. It's an interesting dynamic, now feeling like I am that strong, or to be 'intimidating'.
Of course, I would HAVE to date someone stronger than me, which now worries me haha ;)
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