Nervous to try new gym equipment

Smatiak

Hey All!
I recently began using my gym regularly, and using the machines I already know how to use. There are some machines that I do not know how to use, so Ill look it up on YouTube to see how it works, but once I go to try it, I chicken out. I am always nervous I am doing something wrong, and that people are judging me. How can I get over this fear? It really is harboring my workout potential.

knittnponder

Can you ask a gym employee to show you how to use the equipment in question? I didn't know how to use the assisted pull up machine so I asked the kid at the desk and he showed me in two seconds and didn't make me feel stupid at all.

woofer00

I stare down people who look like they're judging me and ask them to correct my form. They either put up (and I learn valuable info) or shut up. It's really dangerous to use the machines wrong, so don't be afraid. Noone knows how to use the machines inherently, so in the worst case, ask the staff or a trainer.

dbmata

How do you get over being afraid of things?

I don't know. That's different from person to person and moon phase to moon phase.

miniwheatxoxo

I stare down people who look like they're judging me and ask them to correct my form. They either put up (and I learn valuable info) or shut up. It's really dangerous to use the machines wrong, so don't be afraid. Noone knows how to use the machines inherently, so in the worst case, ask the staff or a trainer.

^This. And it can lead to making new friends, that maybe can help you down the road as well.

dbmata

Do you use staring people down as a way to try to start a friendship very often?

JoRocka

I stare down people who look like they're judging me and ask them to correct my form. They either put up (and I learn valuable info) or shut up. It's really dangerous to use the machines wrong, so don't be afraid. Noone knows how to use the machines inherently, so in the worst case, ask the staff or a trainer.

who look like their judging you??

how could you POSSIBLY know what is going on in their heads??

wow- just so much.wow.

woofer00

Do you use staring people down as a way to try to start a friendship very often?

No. I just meet their gaze and pose the question. It's not an aggressive thing. Staring down is probably the wrong choice of words. The original question was about overcoming nervousness and the thought that other people were judging you. If they know enough to judge me (and if it's obvious they're judging me) then they also know enough to teach me to do it right.

accelerashawn

lol i'll fumble around on a machine and try to figure it out on my own with no weight on it. If I do it completely wrong i'd hope someone would tell me.

The other day i was on a seated flye machine and it said you could also do reverse flys...so i turned around and faced the back rest and adjusted the pads so that i could do reverse flyes...then i saw someone seated with their back on the backrest and they were doing reverse flys correctly...made me laugh at myself and i did them right from then on...

Just set the weight at 0 and start moving the equipment and figure out what direction everything moves....then try to mount the equipment and push or pull it in that direction. most machines have a name or a small diagram that shows what muscle it works so it shouldnt be too crazy to figure out. If you try it with no weight on it your chances of getting hurt are minimized.

Do not worry about other people though. If they are worth a damn and see you struggling, they'll offer to help. Some people might watch you wondering if you can figure it out cuz they couldnt... you never know what others are thinking so don't try to guess.

dbmata

Do you use staring people down as a way to try to start a friendship very often?

No. I just meet their gaze and pose the question. It's not an aggressive thing. Staring down is probably the wrong choice of words. The original question was about overcoming nervousness and the thought that other people were judging you. If they know enough to judge me (and if it's obvious they're judging me) then they also know enough to teach me to do it right.

Ah ok, because staring down means you're looking for a fight.

lizarddev

Hey All!
I recently began using my gym regularly, and using the machines I already know how to use. There are some machines that I do not know how to use, so Ill look it up on YouTube to see how it works, but once I go to try it, I chicken out. I am always nervous I am doing something wrong, and that people are judging me. How can I get over this fear? It really is harboring my workout potential.

Most people dont judge in the gym. Find a person that goes in there alot and ask how to do it correctly. The ones that will say something to you are the ones that know you are doing it wrong. It is better to have good form than weights when doing new things in the gym. Dont fear the unexpected or not knowing. Fear that you will hurt yourself if you dont ask. I have lifted and some lifting its been a while so I do ask and most are very helpful when you ask their opinion or for help.

JoRocka

Do you use staring people down as a way to try to start a friendship very often?

No. I just meet their gaze and pose the question. It's not an aggressive thing. Staring down is probably the wrong choice of words. The original question was about overcoming nervousness and the thought that other people were judging you. If they know enough to judge me (and if it's obvious they're judging me) then they also know enough to teach me to do it right.

You people watch other people to critique and evaluate for their own reasons- not because they think they are better than you.

People watching- it happens all the time- there maybe be a passing mental judgement but it's not something people dwell on... people who are insecure about these things spend about significantly more time thinking about the percieved judging that goes on than the people who are doing the "judging" are actually doing.

This is how all that percieved "judging" happens:
damn- 315.
deep enough?
yep.
solid squat.
good on him.
>back to my bench<


or- wow- at 155- he should be getting more depth on that squat- wonder if he has an issue or he just doesn't know.
okay.whatever.
>time to bench.<



The other type of judging that happens through a lot of really uncomfortable insecure people.....
>man I'm uncomfortable- I have no idea what I'm doing- that guy is looking at me- who does he think he is looking at me- what a meat head- with his big muscles and tattoos- I"m not doing anything- oh **** I'm not doing anything- means i'm doing it wrong- that guys watching me- waht if I dump the weight- then it'll be his fault-stupid meat head...omg that woman's *kitten* is hanging out while she's squatting- do you think she could get her shorts any shorter?? who does she think she is- this sucks- I'm bored- but I'm not sweating- oh that guy didn't wipe down the machine- what a douche- so gross"



seriously- people are going to watch- then give it a fleeting thought- then go back to what they are doing.

Smatiak

that made me feel a lot better!!! i know its silly of me to worry, but i just do! thank you