Intimidated by the gym?

HillValley

So I joined a gym, I have a trainer once a week. Other than that session though, I cant bring myself to go. Im completely intimidated by the gym, the people and the machines. It is only the gym, I am not like that in any other aspects of my life. I dont know what to do without my trainer there. I want to go, but I cannot bring myself to go and figure out all the machines while everyone is watching me CLEARLY having no idea what I am doing. Its a REALLY small gym, not a chain, so its not like an LA Fitness where you can get lost and no one cares bc its 80,000 square feet. Everyone is RIGHT there.

Anyone else intimidated by the gym? How did you make yourself go, what do you do while you are there? I have no idea what I am doing.

GoGoMary4

I had the same problem. I just stuck to what I knew, maybe just work on what you and the trainer do. I you are not sure of a machine ask your trainer the next time you see them. I also told myself that nobody cares what I do. Just keep your head down, work hard and play Eye Of The Tiger on the way to the gym. Just go, you can do it.

nlcs_nickyv32

I would find a workout partner. Someone who knows what they are doing to help you along. That way when you are not with your trainer, you have someone to help keep you in check. They can make sure that you keep your form correct and help you out if they see something off.

I was the same way. My friend had been going to the gym for about a year before me and he was able to help me out.

SnuggleSmacks

I was a bit intimidated by the free weight section of my gym, being a small-ish girl and all. However, I just went and did it anyway. The first time was hard, the second time was less hard, and now I don't even think about it. I even do my hip thrusters and glute bridges and very seldom do any of the guys oggle or make rude comments to the point that I notice. They're usually too focused on their own workouts to watch what I'm doing, and that's as it should be.

Most of the time, the other people at the gym won't even notice you. Unless you make a lot of noise or throw weights around or do something rude like leaving your weights on the bar, they won't even really see you. They're going to be way to busy to worry about you and what you're doing.

abadvat

Believe it or not each and every world recognized athlete started one day and was 100% clueless!
Yep, people will look at you the first day, the second too - the third day... Eventually people will forget about you and might actually come over and give you tips on how to better execute a movement - consistency is key to everything!

ryanwood935

What worked for me was finding a good lifting routine online. I watched videos on YouTube too many times to count before I ever actually went to the gym. Made sure I knew how my form was supposed to look so I didn't embarrass myself. I went in with headphones and got in my own little world. Don't be afraid to use the barbells and dumbells. They are a lot easier to figure out than all these crazy machines -which can be different everywhere you go.

Definitely find a good lifting routine that you think will work for you. Rippetoe's starting strength is a good place to start for a beginner. Go in, work your routine with a purpose and you may just get hooked like I did it all comes down to jumping in and conquering fears. You can do it!

SnuggleSmacks

Having a program is a really good idea. That way you don't go wandering around aimlessly. Something simple like Strong Lifts or Starting Strength will give you a great start. Strong Lifts is only 3 exercises per workout, so that might be a good place to start. Download the app for free to your phone, then Google the exercises. Watch videos and read information on the three exercises for the first workout until you're confident you know what you should be doing. Then go to the gym and do it. It will still take you a few times to feel comfortable, and that's ok.

You can also look at a few programs like Strong Lifts and Starting Strength and pick one, then show it to your trainer and ask him/her to walk you through it once. That way you'll have someone watching you go through the motions and correcting anything you might be doing wrong, and you'll have a much better idea of where to go and how to set up the various weights, and you should be able to do it on your own without too much fumbling around.

6ftamazon

I felt like that at the beginning. Everyone has to start somewhere. And really, most people are in their own world and not paying attention to you. Look online for some routines. Once you get into it, you'll forget feeling this way .