Embarrassed to go to gym

kbloodworth

Hi Charlie,

Just saw your profile- if you are an ex-athlete, I know this is doubly painful, because you are probably also comparing your current performance to how strong you used to be... But, you'll get back your strength faster than you think. As an ex-athlete you probably have quite a bit of dormant muscle mass, and once you get back in the hang of it the muscle memory will kick in and you'll find your strength double (or triple) in no time. If you can afford a personal trainer, even if it is just one session a month, it might be worth it because they will know the best way to deal with past injuries and how to train you.

Feel free to add me as a friend!

remembertheharddrive

To be honest, I see a lot of men at the gym trying to lift far heavier than they should. Their egos get in the way, they're left heaving up dumbbells using their lower back, form is a total mess, bouncing, elbows flying off sideways. It's a sad, sad sight.

For anyone who knows what they're doing, seeing someone lifting beyond their capacity with bad form is FAR more embarrassing than to see someone lifting light with good form and knowing their limits.

Just plug through, be disciplined and stick with the weights you're lifting. Keep your reps low, weights heavy enough to get only through those reps with good form. If you can't get through your set, consider setting up a routine with drop sets to finish your reps.

squeaktones

go back to the gym. don't be embarrassed. you are trying. that is more than most people are doing. keep trying eventually you will be able to lift more. don't go out there and try to lift more than you think you can just because someone else is lifting that much, build yourself up gradually. you are allowed to be in that gym because you are there to get fit. heck i don't go to the gym but was so out of shape because of sickness last summer that 80 year old people were passing me up walking across the parking lot at walmart. today i walk a half hour with my boyfriend and had to slow down for him 3 times because i was going too fast. don't get discouraged.

CharlieSC

Thanks for all of the support and advice!! I will go to the gym Monday and take my medicine like a big boy! :happy:

fullofhope

Just keep going......people shouldn't be looking at how much weight you are lifting!
In Planet fitness.....the machines are set up so you can't really see how much weight people have on there..
I guess with free weights...there's no way to hide it.

You are there to improve your own health and you are doing more than the avarage guy who doesn't go to the gym at all...

I have never cared for men with huge bulging muscles....maybe it's just me. ......Just enough muscle to help carry groceries in the house is good enough for me :-)

OMG I was wondering if anyone was going to mention Planet Fitness! I love that place! They do not have any free weights over 60 pounds. It is a judgement free zone. All shapes and sizes, is there one in your area? Besides, just because they are lifting twice as much as you, doesn't mean that they are lifting it correctly. I see incorrect lifts on a daily basis. My occupation as a physical therapist assistant has educated me on proper lifting techniques. Talk to an employee there and ask what his credentials are. Have him show you how to properly lift and put blinders on and pay attention to only you.

CharlieSC

After all of the great encouragement I received on this post, I ventured off to the gym this morning. I was planning on going Monday but made the decision move forward. The gym was packed as I expected. Honestly, I felt like a marshmallow in a rock quarry. I know it is going to take some time to get comfortable and to focus on the task at hand. The encouragement is greatly appreciated.

nisijam5

That's what we have to do...suck it up and move forward...good job

nisijam5

That's what we have to do...suck it up and move forward...good job

marber

Your only competition in the gym should be yourself.

I do think though genetics have a lot to do with strength but you can always improve what you have. I didn't realize how strong I was until I went to the gym and people started commenting. I frequently do heavier weights than a lot of the men and I am certainly no body builder.

When my son was old enough to go to the gym he was the same and can lift serious weights without breaking sweat and once again does not look particularly muscular.

My only aim is to improve what I can do and lose the rest of this weight.