Scared of the Weight Room

rgraver00

Hey guys! I’ve been doing basic workouts for like 2 months now but I’m too the point that I want to try some weight training yet I’m so scared to try it. I go to a gym on my college campus and that means that the weight room is full of jocks and others with experience in the weight room. I’m scared to walk in with no idea of what I’m doing and embarrass myself.

I would love some advice, dos and don’t, and maybe some motivation for me to try it out!

Thank you and and feel free to add me as a friend!☺️

beautifulwarrior18

#1 from a really loving and caring place, "Get over it." The only person losing out because you're intimidated is you. It's not any of the other Lunks in the weight room.

#2 Men (jocks included) LOVE girls who lift

#3 ask for a consultation and tell them you specifically want to focus on x, y, z movements. I would suggest barbell squats, deadlifts, bench press, weighted row on the cable machine, lat pull downs, pull ups and chin ups (assisted if needed) Maybe even research some programs like Stronglifts 5x5, Ice Cream 5x5, New Rules of Lifting for Women and bring those movements to your consultation. Getting instruction on which equipment to use, proper form, etc will make you much more confident in the weight room.

lorrpb

Are there any intro to weight room classes, either through the gym or in a formal phys Ed class? Are there staff who can orient you?

RangeBoss

Good for you. It’s great that you want to challenge yourself. There is nothing to worry about. Weight rooms can feel intimidating. But people really are just focused on their own thing.

The MOST important thing is to be safe. That always starts with good technique. Please find someone that can walk you through the proper form for some basic exercises. Then start slow and low. It’s more important to develop proper technique in the beginning. Keep the weights low (light). Then slowly add weight as your body develops your strength.

Have fun and enjoy yourself. Before long you will be the experienced person helping another new person learn the ropes.

Enjoy.

OceanAddict

I second the idea to get a consultation. My local community centre gym offers free consultations with a trainer. I met with one and he developed a simple full-body weight training routine I can do, and showed me how to use the equipment properly to do it.
As I progress I'll probably get another session with a trainer for a more advanced routine, but for right now, it has made a huge difference in my gym-confidence to know that I'm doing a good workout, properly.

Cassidy95c

I feel the exact same!! I just have to tell myself whenever I get the chance on non crowded days they once didn’t know what they were doing too and used to look like me at one point and that we’re all human beings so it’s totally normal lol... I’m still a newbie but this what I think everytime I get the chance to use those beast machines hahah

Cherimoose

Read the pinned post called Most Helpful Posts.

amyf2000

I can relate to this! I also work out in a college rec center and everyone is 20 years younger than me! Plus when I started lifting weights in the weight room I had to lift really light weights and work my way up slowly so I felt dumb. But it truly doesn't matter - no one cares what you're lifting I promise. Don't take more equipment than you need for your next exercise (like don't be that girl who takes the 5 pound weights the 10 pound weights the 15 pound weights and the 20 pound curl bar over to the corner and keeps it all over there for 45 minutes - just take the weights you need for your next exercise and then put it back). If you aren't sure about something ask about it at the desk. Use the little pins on the free weights to keep them in place. Stay out of the way of people doing heavy lifts. After a couple of weeks you will feel like you belong, and if you go at the same time regularly you will know the other regulars and have little nicknames for them in your head! I wonder what they call me! Old sweaty lady, maybe!

yoliyoda

I find the more often I go, the more comfortable I feel. It helps to have a set plan and to know what I can do-instead of trying to do what I see others doing.

GuineaKitty

I was scared the 1st few days in the weight room and still am when I join the a new gym. I tapped it down and go in. Most guys are nice in the weight room and help will adjust weights on machines. I have no upper body strength and usually use 1/4 of what they use.

Lesley2603

I have found that the guys in the weight room are very nice and helpful. I often have to ask for help, I’m short and can’t reach to change the bar on the last pull down for example, but anybody I have asked for help has been happy to do so and I’ve had so much encouragement from them

bhurley100

rgraver00 wrote: »

Hey guys! I’ve been doing basic workouts for like 2 months now but I’m too the point that I want to try some weight training yet I’m so scared to try it. I go to a gym on my college campus and that means that the weight room is full of jocks and others with experience in the weight room. I’m scared to walk in with no idea of what I’m doing and embarrass myself.

I would love some advice, dos and don’t, and maybe some motivation for me to try it out!

Thank you and and feel free to add me as a friend!☺️

I find it helpful to watch youtube vids of the type of workout you want to do then you have an idea of what to do!!♡

zeldon919

I workout at a YMCA, and everyone looks like they know what they’re doing and I’m very much a beginner (like, 10 workouts in 6 months. Slow start).

If you can do I session with a trainer or gym employee that’s a really good suggestion. At least try to learn who those people are, in case you see them around and have a quick question.

Most people are very nice. If you need help adjusting something or something, most people will be glad to help. And don’t feel the need to fake confidence or competence - I’ve found people are more willing to help if it’s obvious that you’re knew to it and a bit confused and out of place.

I find the machines and body weight exercises easier to start with. The machine guides you, and you can watch other people to figure out how to use it. I stick to things where you adjust the weight with the pin. Barbells and dumbbells still
scare me.

SonyaCele

Are you on a program that calls for free weights? If so, just go in and do them. If not, what is it you want to do in the weight room? Google those lifts you want to do so you know how to do them, and go do a few sets of them with light weights, and you will see that no one will even notice you. You'll build confidence each time and see that the weight room isn't scary at all. Make sure you have a plan what you are going to do and stick to your plan.

SonyaCele

oh and btw, most college kids that are lifting weights, unless they were trained, are clueless and have horrible form and are just as nervous as you . Just because they look like they know what they are doing, odds are they dont.

pattyhouse1970

I was the same way. I would go to the fitness center at work and intentionally workout on the other side (there is a wall down the middle) just so the jocks couldn't see me. But now are all all buddies and they help me out.

So. Start out by asking. The guys at the fitness center are probably the best friends that I have now.

sgtx81

I promise there will be plenty of guys willing to help. you'll be a pro weight-lifter before ya know it.

Joanna2012B

I second the ... no one cares or will pay attention to what you are doing unless you are making a big deal of it. As someone suggested don't take too many weights at a time. Make sure to wipe any equipment down that you used. If someone is lifting in front of the mirror to watch their form, don't walk in front of them. Please don't be on your phone talking or texting while on equipment. Take your weights and move to an open part of the gym, too many times I see people grab their dumbbells and start working out right in front of the weight rack, so no one can get in to get weights! I learned a lot by watching videos(be careful there's a lot of crap advice out there too) and watching some of the fit people in the gym. I've also asked questions. Most people that lift weights would love to talk to you about it!! Your gym may even offer an orientation, a trainer will teach you how to use the equipment. Remember everyone was new at one point!! Have fun!!!!

jenandjoon

Honestly, I’ve heard so many of my friends tell me this exact same thing. They were scared. When I first started I took a friend. That way we both were learning together and could look like idiots and laugh about it. It helped so much. And through trial and error we figured it out and I’m now confident enough to go by myself.

priyaananth

Hey anyone here who hates lifting weights? I am not scared as much as I dislike it. I love to cycle, run, Zumba and weights is so boring for me. I struggle with it everyday. I know it needs to be done but any tips on how I can motivate myself?

mabelgrex

at the gym everyone is into just one thing THEMSELVES and what they are doing.
get yourself a few sessions to get familiar with the equipment and are on the way

mamashakesit

I took a class for women at my local rec center. The instructor knew weights, but had zero idea how to teach a class, and I learned next to nothing from her. HOWEVER, it was worth my $40 to get comfortable walking into the weight room. I was lucky (?) to be unemployed at the time, so I went during the slowest times and often had the weight room to myself. The first couple weeks, I would walk out when someone else walked in, so I definitely understand the intimidation factor.

Then one night, there was a couple of studs in there, and I realized I'd better just suck it up, because I like lifting. Take your iPod, immerse yourself in your own workout, and after a few times of going and getting comfortable, it will be like no one else is in the room.

I find that the only time guys really stare is when I use the free weights. It still makes me somewhat self conscience, but I've started to tell myself that they stare because I'm so badass lol! Furthermore, the other women stare when I use free weights, too. I realized that those same women do not use the free weights...likely because they don't want to be stared at by the men.

robyyyyyyyifomp

I wouldn't be too scared of anyone in there. We all start off somewhere, and for most of us, its the same place you're at now.
I remember little freshman year me trying to figure out how get my bench to 135, now I'm deadlifting 360 lbs at 155 bw.
Plus, some of the scariest looking dudes in the gym are the sweetest, and that music in their Ear buds is probably maroon 5. No joke

Davidsdottir

robyyyyyyyifomp wrote: »

I wouldn't be too scared of anyone in there. We all start off somewhere, and for most of us, its the same place you're at now.
I remember little freshman year me trying to figure out how get my bench to 135, now I'm deadlifting 360 lbs at 155 bw.
Plus, some of the scariest looking dudes in the gym are the sweetest, and that music in their Ear buds is probably maroon 5. No joke

It's true. Meanwhile I'm listening to Unearth and Parkway Drive.