Gym intimidation and strength training

DrMAvDPhD

Honestly most commercial gyms aren't dripping with "the bodybuilder type". At my gym (LA Fitness) there are maybe 2-4 members total that look like they might compete in bodybuilding competitions (and definitely no pros lol), and the rest are just us normal folks. Which means, depending on when I workout, there is at most 1 seriously intimidating (by looks, not by actions they are all super friendly) person in the weight room. Usually, there are ~5 other people lifting at any given time, 1-2 of which know what they are doing (good form, good manners, things that you should read up on before lifting!), and ~3 people just in there goofing off or not knowing what they are doing/not trying to learn (don't be them and no one will think you are out of place).

stumblinthrulife

People think about you much less than you think they do. The judgement people think they experience at the gym is mostly their own dissatisfaction with self, projected on others around them.

tomomatic

The folks at my gym have always been really friendly. I've never had a problem finding someone to help on my form or giving me pointers.

One thing to remember is that you will never look as dumb as these guys: