Embarassed to use free weights

XtyAnn17
XtyAnn17 Posts: 632 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I just started going to gym, I've never lifted weights before, so I did a lot of searching around and came up with a good 4 day routine with free weights. But I'm to nervous to go over there where all the fit muscular men and women are who know what there doing.

I'm just some fat chick who's never lifted weights in her life who's probably doing it wrong to begin with.

Any advice on how I can overcome this fear?
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Replies

  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse.
  • mirandamayhem
    mirandamayhem Posts: 772
    Hey, that will be me starting Saturday! So you're not alone! Let's just paint moustaches on, noone will ever know :wink:
  • camrunner
    camrunner Posts: 363
    Is there a time of day when the gym is less crowded? I'd try to find such a time and familiarize myself with the equipment. After that, well, you probably just have to go for it. It's not such a big deal.
  • XtyAnn17
    XtyAnn17 Posts: 632 Member
    If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse.


    Good one! Thank you I still need reminded even though its my profile pic.
  • Lina4Lina
    Lina4Lina Posts: 712 Member
    Any chance you can do a few personal training sessions? Form is definitely important and I think that starting out a personal trainer is helpful.

    You'll also see plenty of people using bad form so don't assume watching others will work.
  • XtyAnn17
    XtyAnn17 Posts: 632 Member
    Is there a time of day when the gym is less crowded? I'd try to find such a time and familiarize myself with the equipment. After that, well, you probably just have to go for it. It's not such a big deal.

    I already go at 5 am so it won't get less crowds than that but there's still a decent amount of people by weights. Damn early birds!
  • Cindy873
    Cindy873 Posts: 1,165
    The first time I went to a gym I had no clue what to do. I found someone who worked there, told him I was new and asked him to help get me started. He walked me through a basic routine and I took it from there!
  • wellbert
    wellbert Posts: 3,924 Member
    :)

    Just be cool. Don't curl in the squat rack.

    Do cool stuff. Like deadlift, overhead press, full squat. You'll get mad respect.
  • Angie__1MR
    Angie__1MR Posts: 388 Member
    Yep, get in there and show those boys what you're made of!! You deserve to be there as much as anyone else!
  • theresmynapkin
    theresmynapkin Posts: 183 Member
    I literally just had to do this last Monday. I just walked over there and didn't pay attention to anyone else. I've been in the freeweights section 4 times now, and it's really fun. The guys usually have their headphones in and aren't paying any attention to me. Its kinda nice to get some glances like woah, theres a woman here! but they last only milliseconds and then the boys go back to what everyone's there to do: work out, not judge others for working out as well :)
  • nickmast78
    nickmast78 Posts: 65
    I would definitely take advantage of a Personal Trainer if you have the option. This will not only get you started on proper form but routine as well.
  • thistimeismytime
    thistimeismytime Posts: 711 Member
    Feel the fear and do it anyway. There is no easy way, there are no shortcuts. Every day you walk into that weight room and step out of your comfort zone, you will be victorious. You deserve to be fit and healthy just as much as the big guys that work out in there. The only way to get comfortable in the gym is to walk through the discomfort until you get there. I have been there, and it will get better. I feel at home in the gym now, but it wasn't always like that. Just focus on what you've got to do and DO it. :flowerforyou:
  • MaggieMay131
    MaggieMay131 Posts: 211 Member
    :)

    Just be cool. Don't curl in the squat rack.

    Do cool stuff. Like deadlift, overhead press, full squat. You'll get mad respect.

    This. Don't let what anyone "thinks" of you get in the way! If they're people with half a brain, they'll realize what you're doing is pretty awesome. Everyone has to start somewhere. And if they are looking at you, they're looking at you because you're becoming one of them. :) Good luck!!
  • kemmy45
    kemmy45 Posts: 59
    go onto bodybuilder.com it will show you how to use weights and some routines. That might make you more comfortable to have a little knowledge behind you.
  • PhilyPhresh
    PhilyPhresh Posts: 600 Member
    90% of the other people using the free weights don't really know what they are doing either... You'll be fine. That or if the point and laugh, point and laugh back... just point a little lower than they are. :wink:
  • sthrnchick
    sthrnchick Posts: 771
    If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse.

    ^^^ THIS! Everyone has to start SOMEWHERE...and if you are fearful of looking silly...then you will never learn or progress. And now being one of those "woman that know what to do on the weights side of the gym", I PROMISE you no one is paying you ANY attention...they are there to work out themselves...UNLESS you are the hot chick that wears spandex and a sports bra to lift in...then we are ALL paying attention to you...

    Stop worrying...and start doing! I love to lift!
  • kuger4119
    kuger4119 Posts: 213 Member
    First, remember that a lot of the people there were probably not all that fit when they started. Many of them will respect your effort and some may even offer advice. The biggest thing about trying to use free weights is to follow the rules. Put your weights back when you are done, wipe off equipment that you use and don't take someone else's spot if they are using it. It won't be long and you'll feel like you belong there.

    If that doesn't work, picture in your mind how funny the muscular people would look with red clown noses on their faces and speaking with squeaky voices. I'd say picture them all naked, but that might make it hard to concentrate!
  • Maryaly40
    Maryaly40 Posts: 551 Member
    I just recently got over this. My first time in that area, I was nervous and physically shaking. I did the little exercises I had planned out in my mind, and just "closed my eyes and took a deep breath" and did it!!!! And you know what, the next time I went in that area, I didn't shake, my heart didn't race as much and so on.....get in there and just do it!!!! It gets more and more easier, trust me. And some of the regulars smile now, or nod...as if to say "yea, it's cool your here". I'm so confident now, I'm practically pushing them out of my way to get my stff done LOL!
  • DazEyre
    DazEyre Posts: 3
    Just ask one of them. A lot of them will be glad to help you and admire you for having a go.
  • KittieLea
    KittieLea Posts: 1,156 Member
    Go to www.bodybuilding.com and watch the videos of exercises you'd like to do, then you can be sure you're doing them properly. Fake your confidence and eventually you won't have to, you'll really know what you're doing.
  • sydnisd183
    sydnisd183 Posts: 247 Member
    Just get them buns over there and start lifting :wink:

    Serious though, if you've never trained with free weights before, it would be a little better to get a personal trainer to show you the ropes. Or, if you have a friend/co-worker, DH, etc that lifts they could take you through a basic workout.

    If all else fails, i'd go on a site like bodybuilding dot com, they have videos of all the single exercises (bench press, deadlift, squats, etc) and you could emulate with cans, milk jugs, etc at home to at least get the form down.

    but don't be embarassed. when I see people who look like they're new, i'm cheering them on in my head!! :bigsmile: just keep your head held high and grab those weights with a purpose you will do fine
  • Hestion
    Hestion Posts: 740 Member
    I don't care what others think! infact you'll likely find that they are helpful :-) i have a trainer anyway, but id always suggest at least a session with a pt si you learn correct form. My first session was free with no obligation
  • catch622
    catch622 Posts: 18
    You need to just go over there and do it... or you never will.

    People at the gym are all doing their own routine and focused on that, they don't care what you are doing. Once I learned that, I stopped caring how I looked at the gym.

    People can be quite friendly and helpful too.
  • Blue0208
    Blue0208 Posts: 1 Member
    Ask one of the trainers to show you the correct way to use the weights for the first couple of times to help build your confidence or if u can book a personal trainer, I felt exactly the same but am now able to do what i need to. We all have to start somewhere and their pitying looks say more about them than you x
  • DazEyre
    DazEyre Posts: 3
    Yep, get in there and show those boys what you're made of!! You deserve to be there as much as anyone else!

    This !
  • XtyAnn17
    XtyAnn17 Posts: 632 Member
    Thanks so much everyone, these posts really gave me a lot more confidence to get in there Nd made me feel a lot better. I think tomorrow morning I'll do it! ::gulp::
  • PhilyPhresh
    PhilyPhresh Posts: 600 Member
    :)

    Just be cool. Don't curl in the squat rack.

    Do cool stuff. Like deadlift, overhead press, full squat. You'll get mad respect.

    the only problem with this advice is (unless they has a PT) this is their first time with free weights and they probably have no clue how to properly perform these lifts and could end up hurting themselves more than helping...
  • Sixalicious
    Sixalicious Posts: 283 Member
    First and foremost, find someone to help you to make sure you are lifting properly.
    Second...get over your fears and just do it!!! I lift at 330am with my husband when the gym only has a few people there. Today there was more people than normal in the weight area, but none of them were paying attention to the chunky chic doing squats or when I was doing deadlifts on Monday. Just focus on what you are doing and you will be fine. :-)
  • karensoxfan
    karensoxfan Posts: 902 Member
    You just start. And take one day at a time. I was in your shoes in April, and just had to bite the bullet and do it, and boy, am I glad I did. Now I only wish I could get in there more often, but my current plan advises full-body lifting workouts only 2-4x/week. Starting with weights (specifically with free weights) was the single best thing I've done 100% for myself in the past 10 years.

    Maybe that, and getting vaccines regularly. ;)
  • Shange_Gully
    Shange_Gully Posts: 106
    No one will really care. Don't be put off by people with impressive physiques cos the more built someone is, the more likely it is they're focused on their own ****.

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