Embarassed myself at the gym today... but its OKAY
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Great job getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new! I always hate trying new things, especially by myself but I'm doing my best to overcome that because it's the only way to improve and find new things to enjoy! I started running 6 months ago and it's completely changed my life! I'm training for my first half marathon in 4 weeks!
Also, if your gym offers free classes, I recommend trying those too! I never wanted to, but I finally did and now have 3 classes a week that I actually look forward to going to!0 -
If it makes you feel any better, I once tried one too many reps doing flat bench and would have dropped the bar on my face if another gym member didn't run over and save me.
Another time I saw someone doing dumb bell flys laying on an exercise ball. So I thought I'd give that a go and fell on the floor after my first set.
Then there was the time I had been running on a certain treadmill for an hour just killing myself. Went to the paper towel dispenser to get disinfectant spray and some towel to wipe down the machine and proceded to whipe down the wrong one. Which wouldn't have been all THAT embarrassing if some woman didn't have to point out my mistake while laughing.
I'm sure there's been more silly screw ups I've done at the gym but this is just what comes to mind right away after less than 2 years of working out. I hope no one feels silly or uncomfortable about gym mishaps after reading this.0 -
First of all, kudos to you for overcoming your fears!!! Secondly, I use the cardio machines daily, and I continually feel like an idiot getting those things to start! Some of them are so touchy that it automatically sets a program for you when you want to personalize it. I swear I sometimes spend about 5 minutes getting them to set how I want. So don't feel silly. It's not always you, sometimes it's the machines!! And for the record, people do rotate backwards on the ellipticals as well.0
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Also, I signed up for a personal trainer at the end of last year so I would feel comfortable going into the weights section. 12 sessions later and I now lift along with the guys, and have also dropped inches - Occassionally I feel self conscious about it when the room is full of men only, but at the end of the day, who cares. If someone is judging then they need to push a little harder at the gym
Plus, if you mess up, it's not like you are going to die. And it's not like everyone else in the gym is doing everything properly.
I see people lifting with terrible form all of the time. So just because you see someone doing something, doesn't mean it's right. You have a right to be there too, so don't be hesitant to ask someone if they are using a piece of equipment if you need it and it looks like it's not being used. Good Luck!0 -
How wonderful you could get yourself to go alone! It's not easy to be insecure and put yourself out there.
Also, that girl's job is to help people who need help - she does it all day, and probably gets bored if she walks around and everyone has it all under control.
Keep it up!0 -
Don't be embarrassed! You went to the gym today - just imagine how many people can't say that!0
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Great job on day 1. You might find that cardio (after a while) has a meditative effect . This can help quiet your mind and assist with the anxiety.0
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GREAT JOB!
I do stuff like that all the time, especially when I get to the weights! You are not alone!
I hope to see you continue going to the gym and facing your anxieties.0 -
yay for you! Sounds like you overcame a lot to get there and do it and you should be proud of yourself!
More perspective for you: I attempted the chin-ups with the weight assisted machine - well I always put lower weights on the other machines (had no idea how this one worked, apparently) so I started wth a low weight. I put my knee on the pad and swung up to reach the overhead bar while putting my other knee of the platform and the platform fell all the way to the bottom, I missed the bar, and whacked my head on the frame of the machine, then fell on the floor.
Fun times... lol
I don't do that anymore!0 -
I once breathed in just the wrong way, while using an elliptical, and had a crazy, epic coughing fit. I mean, coughing like I might actually black out and die, coughing. And NO one even moved. Full afternoon at the Y, and no one even said, "Hey, you all right?" I seriously thought I was going to pass out. I made it over to the water fountain and forced some down my throat and felt better, but it was like I was ghost, choking in front of people and no one was able to see me. Weak!0
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I have social anxiety too. It is a very painful condition. I only developed it later in life But going to the gym or anywhere is terrifying to me. I couldn't even get married in a church, bc I didn't want people to look at me.
Anyway, I used to work at a gym and my job was to train people to use the equipment. You'd be surprised at how few people start out knowing how to use it. Probably NO ONE has ever walked in and immediately understood the machine at the first go, without studying it and trying it first. That is why they have trainers to help you. Second of all, most all gyms should show you how to use the equipment at the gym. Set up a training session. Most gyms will assign a trainer free of charge for three sessions. They will show you how to use the weight machines too. I mean if you can't use the equipment you will get frustrated and quit going. They know that. It is to their advantage to show you how to use it. I have asked many times for help. Trust me, they think nothing of it. I would bet it is flattering to them to help you and teach you. Don't we all love helping and teaching someone? When someone couldn't do something and they asked you for help, didn't it feel good to help them by showing them?
Also, the elliptical CAN and IS used backwards too, it depends on what you want to work. When you push to make it move forward, you are working mostly your backside. If you want to work the front of your legs then you peddle backwards.
The more you go to the gym, the more comfortable you'll fee. Great job at starting the process.0 -
Go find the "embarrassing moments at the gym" thread. This doesn't even register compared to what some of us have posted over there.
Good on you for getting starte!!0 -
Congratulations! And I'm sure the employee didn't think anything of it... I doubt you're the first person to need a little help getting the machine going. Part of the reason I avoid the gym is that I'm scared to look like a dweeb on the machines, lol.
That's awesome for you. You got the first step out of the way and that's usually the hardest part. Good luck on the rest of your work! :flowerforyou:0 -
I go backwards all the time!!! it works different muscles!0
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You haven't embarrassed yourself until you had a highly audible involuntary bodily gas movement while doing squats. There is just no possible recovery from that Hope you think of that whenever you feel embarrassed in the gym.
Edit:
PS. I actually do a sort of interval training on the elliptical, two min forward, one minute back, to get a much better workout bang for the minute buck.0 -
That's awesome! I have SA too so I know what a challenge it is facing any social situation, much less one where you're in a new environment.0
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I completely understand the SA and applaud you for taking the step. Huge NSV.
Well done you!!!!:flowerforyou: :drinker:0 -
The first time I went to the gym, I just sat in my car thinking it was a start. HAHA!!! I now go to the gym everyday and I am training for a Half Marathon and Marathon in October. Keep up the great work!!!0
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It's actually a good thing to go backwards occasionally! The workout intensity is the same, the machine does not care and will not break - but you will exercise slightly different leg muscles, which is a good thing!
Agreed. I do it as part of my elliptical routine.0 -
Tip: Don't do a hardcore ab workout and then go to lay on a bench the NEXT day. I had to roll off the bench in the freeweight area in front of a bunch of bros because my abs were so sore I couldn't SIT up.
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I'm sorry but this is hilarious!!0 -
Bravo!!!!0
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Way to go!! I HATED the eliptical the first time I did it and only managed 6 minutes. I saw how many calories I burned in those 6 minutes so I decided to give it another go the next time. Now, after a week and a half, I am doing 35 minutes there before I even start my workout. Stick with itand soon it will be easy!0
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Tip: Don't do a hardcore ab workout and then go to lay on a bench the NEXT day. I had to roll off the bench in the freeweight area in front of a bunch of bros because my abs were so sore I couldn't SIT up.
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I'm sorry but this is hilarious!!
Yeah. i called my best friend to tell her (she did the ab workout with me) and she said "well I just sneezed myself into the fetal position.." She was hurting too.0 -
that's great and now it wont be as bad the next time you go.0
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I am very proud of you for taking that first and big step. KUDOS!!
Also I totally agree with this guy (below)Nice work!
Ask your gym if they do new member sessions. The one I used to go to did. Their new member session was a tour around the gym, explained each area, classes they offer, services they offer as well as how to properly use each of the machines. A lot of the machines have different settings, resistance levels, preset programs, etc. For someone like you who may not know much about the machines and is shy going to one of those may be best and very helpful.
Ask if they have that... if they don't just ask if someone is available to show you how to work the machines. Most gyms are great with helping out.0 -
Good for you that you went to the gym. I probably would have done the same thing years ago when I first used the machine, but I got a tour of the gym and they explained everything.
Also great that you are not going to let it discourage you. You have to be able to smile at the little things and keep going.:bigsmile:
Also, as others have mentioned, it is good to use the machine both ways, backwards and forwards. You work your muscles differently and it creates a balance.0 -
Yeah. i called my best friend to tell her (she did the ab workout with me) and she said "well I just sneezed myself into the fetal position.." She was hurting too.
:laugh: Been there, done that!0 -
5 minutes on the eliptical your first time is freaking amazing!! Keep at it. Soon it will be a normal thing for you and then when you don't go you will miss it.0
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I have found that adopting a scale of relative humiliation is important to keeping your perspective in the gym. We all were new, we all have moments. On a scale of 1 to 10 some of my 9-10s include:
* Tripping over my own feet in warmup of my first Boot Camp class, falling into a brick wall and breaking my wrist. I then had to call my husband to come get me because I drive stick shift. But wait, that was the second time I had to call him to do that because I ....
* Fell on the ice during my first private coached session in front of Carol Heiss Jenkins(Olympic athlete and coach!) and broke my wrist. The worst part is I was standing still practicing my posture. I finished the session holding the broken wrist with my other hand and working on spirals. Then called husband for ride to ER.
* Splitting pants down seam during spinning class and not realizing til afterwards and, yes, I was in the front row with visible crack.
More like 5 or 6 would be the broken bra strap (DD cup) running, falling off treadmill while talking to trainer, having to tell trainer you cannot jumprope in public due to possibility of urine leakage, same for his second suggestion of jumping jacks
3-4 involves usually involves see through bathing suits, falling off bicycle while clipped in, tripping over the step in aerobics, farting at yoga
Not knowing how to use the equipment - maybe a 1 or 2. Not knowing the first time out - totally normal.0 -
I seriously love to go backwards on the elliptical. It is all bouncy and stuff. I'm sure no one thought a thing of it!! Great job getting out and going!0
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