Tips for gymtimidation?

ajturner1111

Hello fitness friends,

I recently joined a gym that is conveniently two blocks away from my work. I have been going about 3-4 times a week (except for holidays) and I seem to suffer from gymtimidation. The gym is full of work out buffs and I am just getting started.

It seems when I get nervous, I tend to do less machines and/or less reps because I don't want to seem weak or "bad" at the gym and just go to the treadmill.

Has anyone suffered and overcame? I would appreciate some tips.

Thanks in advance for the tips!

debubbie

I have found when I am working out at the gym that few people are paying attention to what I am doing and are more concerned about their own routines. I know that when I workout I usually have my headphones in and I am focusing on making sure I have the correct form for every rep in every set to worry about who is weak. I would probably see someone that did one or two sets with low reps and think that they are not going to get the results that they are wanting if they don't step up their game, but I would continue to worry about my own workout. The workout buffs got buff because they put in the reps to get to where they are at currently.

I sometimes feel nervous too, especially since I changed gyms but I am there to better myself and not worry about whether others see me as weak or fat (which I currently am). Remember the reasons that you started working out and what your goals are for yourself because ultimately this is about you and nobody else.

Hope this helps and congratulations for working to make healthy changes for you!

spartan_d

What debubbie said. Trust me; they don't really care that you're a beginner. They might take notice if you're obviously not putting in any effort -- lounging on the equipment, for example, using lazy form, or chitchatting incessantly in a group class. IME though, people are generally understanding toward beginners. Experienced gym folks are usually pretty nice.

spartan_d

Adding to what joleneee421 said... As a gymgoer that I met once said, gymtimidation exists mostly between someone's ears. In other words, what they imagine is generally far worse than reality.

jenglish712

Short of bad gym etiquette that disturbs other people's workouts... nobody cares what other people are doing. I think most of us who got out of shape had some of those feelings at one point. But it doesn't continue. People take no notice of you and you build confidence. It took me awhile to do anything but cardio, then to move from machines to free weights. Do whatever you feel comfy with.

DopeItUp

Welcome to every person on the planet. No one was confident their first time doing anything in the gym. They all just did it and got over it. And so shall you.

Wheelhouse15

Echoing what others have said, there isn't a reason to worry since everyone there is just trying to get their own workouts done and have their own insecurities as well. We all started out awkward at first but after a couple weeks you'll probably fit right in and become much more comfortable. You might even make a few friends.

clarion_r

Most people are way too interested in checking themselves out in the mirrors than looking at anyone else!

tomatoey

Even if they are judging you in a really obvious way, it doesn't matter - a) if they're like that, they're jerks, so who cares; b) ok, say you do care - that jerk's judgement will only last for 5 nanoseconds, and they'll go back to admiring themselves or whatever they were doing - you only exist for 5 nanoseconds, to them; c) you paid your fees, the same as they did, you've got a right to be there; d) your muscles still need the workout.

If there is an uncomfortable moment, just take a breath and shut your eyes and think about your form, and the muscle groups you're working exactly at that second. Shut them out.

99% of people are either cool or don't care, I'm just saying that in case you run into some obnoxious teenagers or something.

As someone above said, there is basic gym etiquette that it might be helpful to know, though, to smooth interactions. I recently had a moment where I used what I thought was an unattended cable machine. Apparently a guy (who was nowhere in sight!) had been using that machine as well as another (across the room) for a superset or something. He glared at me as I finished my set, that was awkward. But that's on him, as far as I'm concerned, because usually, when people do that, they leave a water bottle or jacket or something on the machine to signal it's in use. Or they let you know if they're using a piece of equipment and are just on a rest. (You could also ask in that case, i.e. if someone's kind of hanging around something you want to use - just say, "are you using this machine, do you mind if I work in" - usually they'll let you). That's about it. Oh, and wipe equipment down after you use it, and don't show up with a hacking cough or seeping wound. If you have those things covered, forget about everyone and just do what you went there to do.

sexymonicat

That was me! I had to work out alone because our baby wasnt staying in the kids club. So I always went to the cardio machines. Then one day I just went tried each one out. And its very intimidating because I had to see what muscles it targets n how to use it. But now I dont care. Its like big deal im fat , thats why im at the gym. But now my husband works out with me and its so much more fun. Get a friend to join. Or make a friend there.

jenilla1

I guess I'm just too old to be intimidated. Nothing anybody else is doing matters to me at all. Fake it til you make it. Walk in there like you own the place and you don't give a crap what anybody else thinks. The more you practice confidence, the more real confidence will build naturally in you over time.