How do I stop feeling so self-conscious at the gym?

oilphins

Just like everyone here is saying, nobody is looking at you and saying anything at all. When I go to the gym, the last thing I care about is what anybody else is doing. Don't feel bad because sometimes when they make it obvious I see guys at the gym trying to lift waaay too much weight and they look so foolish and drop weights and grunt. I think that's more embarrassing the you worrying about not lifting enough.

IsaackGMOON

Unless you're about to deadlift 34328942Kg or bench 432904823Kg then no one really cares.

shor0814

So what exactly about you is so funny looking that people stare at you?

lpatriquin

The more you go, the easier it gets. People really are too into what they are doing to pay much attention to what you are doing.
If you are struggling with an exercise, ask for help, there is nothing wrong with that.
Don't be intimidated by others, you belong in there just as much as anyone else does, liftin those weights, big or small. In no time, you'll work your way up to bigger ones.
No confidence? Fake it, it'll come.
I know what it's like to feel intimidated in the gym. I felt that way too in the beginning. Now I feel proud to be able to go in and use the machines and lift heavier weights and feel strong... but I had to force some "fake" confidence for a while. It works.

hekla90

Ummmm if you see people staring at you could it because they notice you dogging them and are staring back? Because that is awkwardness I would notice and stare at if someone is just constantly staring and watching everyone else. I hate to burst your bubble but I can almost guarantee you aren't so special or awkward that people are staring unless you're doing really bizarre things. Also if you just wander around and stare at people, yeah I'd probably stare at you like what on earth are you doing. It's unsettling if someone is just hovering around doing nothing, you might be making people uncomfortable. It sounds like you need a plan so you don't just wandering, stop looking at everyone else and look in the mirror so you can work on your form. (But if you're doing stronglifts, you have a plan!)

No one, I repeat no one cares what weight you are lifting. I see people lift lightweights all the time. I'm healing a hand injury and only loaded up 40 lbs today to squat with on a military base where I was the only female in the entire gym. Annnnd Nobody cared. Either get over it or find stuff to can do at home. No one can get confidence for you. Either way stronglifts starts at the bar that's how the program works. You don't me crease the weight until you get the form down. That's a huge point of the program. So you're supposed to be lifting light until your form is perfect.

wonko221

BabyBloodheart wrote: »

But the point is that people ARE looking at me...because I'm odd looking, obviously anxious so wandering back and forth looking lost or worried, and using the equipment incorrectly or low weights which looks out of place.

Maybe those folks are looking at you, and maybe it's you being self-conscious. Either way, keep doing what you're doing. You're on this journey for your own health, and their looks should not interfere with that.

And if it helps, keep this in mind - if you really stand out, that means that all the consistent gym-goers will take notice of your progress. They'll see you start, keeping going, and getting strong. In time, there will be people who are proud of you. There will even be people who look to you for inspiration for their own difficult journey.

Just keep at it!

mccindy72

if you think that having your hair pulled back is a reason for people to stare at you, there is a projection issue here. In a gym setting, most of the women with hair of any length are going to have it pulled back. That's not a reason that anyone is going to stare at you. Neither is using lower-end weights. People just starting out often do. No one expects everyone using the weights to be experts and to use the big weights.
You need to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing or thinking and just worry about yourself.

Verdenal

I wear comfortable, not overly revealing clothes, go during quiet periods and try to remember that most people are interested only in their own workout.

alexandriasundstrom

I have almost 150 pounds to lose, I have very little arm strength so I'm lifting small weights or an empty bar, and my face is so round and dripping sweat that wearing my hair up basically makes me look like a shiny beach ball. But. I walk in with my headphones blasting music that makes me feel like a bad *kitten*, I rock my best can't-touch-this face, and I act like I belong there, because dammit, I do.
I get stared at plenty, and I have always been afraid, but I just pretend I don't notice. Or I stare back meanly until they look away. If all else fails, I convince myself they're staring because I look so sexy when I lift my empty bar, they can't help it. Fake it until you make it

SJKirk51912

Last fall I was in a similar position. I was 250 lbs and starting SL 5x5. I assumed people were saying "look at this fat girl trying to lift..." Leading up to my first workout I watched form videos like crazy. Then my first day at the gym I got on a treadmill that overlooked the free weigh area. I observed where everything was so I wasn't completely lost when I needed to change exercises or find plate or whatever...

Then I took a deep breath and went for it. I felt ridiculous squating the 45lb bar beside people who were squating 100-200lbs. But I stuck with it and each time I would add 5 lbs. The second day I thought I looked for ridiculous adding 2.5lb on each end. BUT if anyone wanted to judge me then that is there problem!

I still watching form vidoes to make sure I was still doing it right. Eventually people would recognize me and talk to me and help. And all the newbies that entered the gym I noticed and may have looked at them but I also could have cared less about them not being able to lift more then 5lbs because I remember the feeling. I promise no one is looking at you and thinking the things that you think they are!