How to stop being self-conscious or intimidated at the gym

Sammie_24

Hey everyone! Sammie here,

just have a general question for anyone who works out in a public domain...so whenever I go to my school's on campus gym facility I typically always end up staying in the cardio room and working out there as there are two rooms a cardio and a weight room. This is pretty much due to the fact that whenever I TRY to go and work out in the weight room there's always so many buff and fit guys in there and this always makes me feel so self-conscious and intimidated about working out in there so I end up leaving and going back to the cardio room or just leaving the gym in general! FYI I know this is a really dumb reason to let ppl I know nothing about hinder my weight loss progress, but I really wanna know how I can stop this as I know that strength training is more effective for weight loss and genuinely want to utilize the weight room. Any suggestions would be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

Docmahi

Regulars - especially guys who are lifting - are probably some of the nicest people you can talk to in a gym. Honestly just go strike up a conversation, you will most definitely be surprised - you should not let intimidation hinder you from trying something new!!

get in that weight room!

BonaFideUK

Regulars - especially guys who are lifting - are probably some of the nicest people you can talk to in a gym. Honestly just go strike up a conversation, you will most definitely be surprised - you should not let intimidation hinder you from trying something new!!

get in that weight room!

Cant really agree with that from experience. The guys working chest for an hour and half on a bench are usually the biggest *kitten* in the gym.

AussieTrainer

Hiya, this was totally my problem, it prevented me from even joining a gym for ages! What helps me is a) bring someone with you, then you will not be alone and/or b) go with a plan in advance, write down the exercises you want to do on a piece of paper and focus on going through them steadily with moderate weights.

Wear earphones if you don't want to be bothered... and also any time it gets crowded just go into the cardio room and do body weight exercises I think its always a little nerve wracking to be in the middle of the free weights section anyway, I don't want weights dropped on me!

persilcolours

I agree. I always write down on a small piece of paper the routines and reps I want to do (and carry it around the gym) and when you have that list in front of you, it helps you focus on what you're there to do.

I used to be intimidated, too -- then I had a trainer for about two months and once I knew I was doing the moves correctly, I just pretended like I didn't care I was the only girl in there. And it worked. Now, I don't care at all. I also never make eye contact with any of the guys though, unless they are hogging all the machines.

I mean, I'm sure they could be nice, but I find it's easier to just do my thing.

Mostly, I've found that just stepping into the room is the hardest moment, but after that initial moment after you're spotted, I just focus on my workout. And once you get over it, it feels so good to lift weights AND not care about all the beefy guys around you who used to seem scary. Double confidence.

Good luck!

suv_hater

If you're a girl, the only people you have to worry about are other girls in your age range. They are the ones who will try to intimidate you or make you feel self-conscious. Buff and fit dudes who spend countless hours in the weight room aspiring to look like a youtube bodybuilder are not going to get caught up in that sort of nonsense. You are invisible to them (unless you ask them how many more sets bro).

sPaRkLiNgLYFE

go to Curves, nothing but women there

Sammie_24

Regulars - especially guys who are lifting - are probably some of the nicest people you can talk to in a gym. Honestly just go strike up a conversation, you will most definitely be surprised - you should not let intimidation hinder you from trying something new!!

get in that weight room!

This is comforting to know and for sure something to think about. However, I highly doubt I would strike up a conversation with any of em haha too shy for any of that. I definitely agree with you about not letting intimidation keep me from trying new things. Deff trying to work on this, thanks for the motivation!

charismanoodles

When you join, your trainer should give you a session showing you your routine. Once you go through it with them there, it will be so much easier to do it alone. I just started at my uni's gym and had the same nerves, but I really don't care now because I'm there to do my workout and nothing else matters. Maybe listening to music will help pump you up and put you in your zone, so to speak.

Tuala42

I'm hopelessly shy in person, that will never change, and I get very self-conscious trying anything new with weights at my gym for fear I'm not doing something right. Today I decided to try one new exercise with weights at a time (after looking online for ideas)--get comfortable with one new thing, then add a 2nd new thing. May seem silly, but that's an easier way for me to deal with being so nervous about it.

Sammie_24

go to Curves, nothing but women there

You know what I actually used to go to this women's gym called Fitness One a few years ago but honestly maybe this is part of the problem because I was so used to working out in a women's only a facility now I'm not as comfortable in a co-ed one :-\ Plus the gym I go to at my school is free so it seems like a waste to pay for one when u have one that costs nothing!

Sammie_24

Hiya, this was totally my problem, it prevented me from even joining a gym for ages! What helps me is a) bring someone with you, then you will not be alone and/or b) go with a plan in advance, write down the exercises you want to do on a piece of paper and focus on going through them steadily with moderate weights.

Wear earphones if you don't want to be bothered... and also any time it gets crowded just go into the cardio room and do body weight exercises I think its always a little nerve wracking to be in the middle of the free weights section anyway, I don't want weights dropped on me!

Good to know I'm not the only one who's ever felt this way! And about your suggestions I work out better alone I find, I feel like I get more done that way and I almost always have my music with me but the whole writing down exercises on paper is definitely something I will try out. Thanks for the tips.

valeriewxy

I'm having the same problem!! Also, my women-only gym has a really really ****ty weight training area -.- They only have a couple of machines (which I don't want to use), an admittedly good range of free weights, and a barbell but no squat racks or power racks or anything like that.

So now I'm considering working out at the gym at my workplace ... But then there I'd face the problem of men in the weight training area ... and worse, men who are my colleagues ... *shudders* I need help to get over this fear!!

GiddyupTim

Those guys didn't always look fit and buff. They got that way because they got over their fear of looking weak and stupid. They know that. They remember. They are not going to judgmental of someone who is not as far along as they are.

Sammie_24

I'm hopelessly shy in person, that will never change, and I get very self-conscious trying anything new with weights at my gym for fear I'm not doing something right. Today I decided to try one new exercise with weights at a time (after looking online for ideas)--get comfortable with one new thing, then add a 2nd new thing. May seem silly, but that's an easier way for me to deal with being so nervous about it.

I also feel like I'm a pretty shy/nervous person but I might just try this baby steps approach. Whatever works right!

Sammie_24

Those guys didn't always look fit and buff. They got that way because they got over their fear of looking weak and stupid. They know that. They remember. They are not going to judgmental of someone who is not as far along as they are.

Good point, you are so right! Keeping this in mind might just be enough to help me get over this issue. Thanks for that.

matt2442

Just don't be intimidated. Most of the guys that are regulars and in good shape will want to talk about exercising and will want to help you (for the most part, some are a holes). But really, who cares, just work out.

Sammie_24

When you join, your trainer should give you a session showing you your routine. Once you go through it with them there, it will be so much easier to do it alone. I just started at my uni's gym and had the same nerves, but I really don't care now because I'm there to do my workout and nothing else matters. Maybe listening to music will help pump you up and put you in your zone, so to speak.

Heya, I actually did have a few sessions with a personal trainer there and I feel like that helped to show me what kinda exercises I need to implement into my routine and how to do them properly but I still have the same nerves about going in there unfortunately. Hopefully I can get to that same place where ur at right now where nothing else matters to me but my workout. And I always have music when I workout cant imagine working out without it actually. Definitely helps. Thanks.

jfavs87

I have found the gym staff will always help you with proper protocol and using the machines. I find I prefer to do my cardio at the gym and then youtube routines with free weights at home, but that's mostly because my gym is tiny and the weights/machines area smells worse than the cardio room. And don't let anyone intimidate you. Even those guys and gals with giant muscles and perfect abs were beginners once and lost at the gym.

Coquette6

They aren't paying any attention to you, as long as you're not standing right in their way or something. I used to be intimidated too. Honestly, the only thing for it is to take a deep breath and just do it. Once you do it once, the second go is easier. And then the third go, and after awhile, it's just another part of your routine. People really focusing on their workout aren't even noticing you, and unless they actually say something to you, then other people's opinion of you is none of your business.

Warchortle

I used to be intimated at the gym, but honestly once you get in your zone you forget anyone else is there. My gym has a Facebook and there are fitness local Reddit groups you can join that will help friend buffer you if you want a gym buddy.

CoraGregoryCPA

I feel the same way. I pay extra to take strength training classes with free weights with a personal trainer on Tues and Thurs morning because of the FEAR!

ThisGirl2013

could always ask for tips

fvolley

This is something I was always very nervous about but I will tell you after about 3 months of working out a few of the really buff guys came up to me and told me I was looking like I was really losing weight! They also said that I was a maniac on cardio because I would seriously go to town for like 2 hours on the elliptical.

My fear was for nothing, everyone is there for the same reason and the ones who aren't will eventually filter thru and disappear anyways.

So to do the weights and stuff was really hard for me. So I would do my cardio and constantly watch everyone else doing a machine I wanted to do. Finally after seeing everyone else do it and when I thought I understood it enough to not look stupid doing it I attempted it and I did fine.

Then I started doing cardio and that one machine while watching another machine and then would add it on. Eventually you will have a good routine going and you wont have to feel nervous and you can feel confident about who you are and what you are doing at the gym. You got this!

Contrarian

Take a deep breath, walk in, and start lifting. It will get easier and feel more natural every time.

Sammie_24

I agree. I always write down on a small piece of paper the routines and reps I want to do (and carry it around the gym) and when you have that list in front of you, it helps you focus on what you're there to do.

I used to be intimidated, too -- then I had a trainer for about two months and once I knew I was doing the moves correctly, I just pretended like I didn't care I was the only girl in there. And it worked. Now, I don't care at all. I also never make eye contact with any of the guys though, unless they are hogging all the machines.

I mean, I'm sure they could be nice, but I find it's easier to just do my thing.

Mostly, I've found that just stepping into the room is the hardest moment, but after that initial moment after you're spotted, I just focus on my workout. And once you get over it, it feels so good to lift weights AND not care about all the beefy guys around you who used to seem scary. Double confidence.

Good luck!

Stepping into that room could just be the scariest part. I can definitely agree with u on that, and pretending not to care I'm the only girl in the room sounds pretty helpful. Mind over matter! Thanks for the tips

taylorwaylor

I've been there toooo:) Now i just stay away from cardio...hahah i hate it. But the only way to gain confidence in the weight room is to just suck it up and go lift!! Just look up some lifts, that way you know your doing them right, and just slowly start going into the weight room more and more.

ami5000psu

I know exactly how you feel. I used to go to a relatively small gym with a small amount of members so it was really easy to not feel intimidated when I was using the weights because I was generally the only one using them. Now I'm going to a gym that's way more crowded and there are a lot more people around in the weight area. I worry a lot about getting in someone's way when I'm doing something and feel self conscious because I only use the 10-12 pound weights. But then I finish that part of my workout and I feel great. The first step is the hardest. It definitely gets easier. Get in there and do your thing!

Rockstar_JILL

I agree the regulars are usually quite friendly and likely would love to help you...I just do what I want when I want and try not to feel uncomfortable, if at all possible. I wish people would come to me and show me some stuff, cause I don't really know what to do over in the weight section...I usually do mostly cardio too. I could use a few people to show me around. But just stay focused on what you are there for and not worry so much.

OddChoices

Focus on yourself and the rest will follow. When I started a year ago, I was not quite self conscious but was aware how "dumpy" I looked Now I constantly get congratulated by the same people I considered fitter than me, for sticking with my routine and the results that it is showing.

mikecspr

For the both of you, your not there to get approval from anyone, your there to do what's best for your health. You've already overcome the biggest hurdle, and that's to walk through the front door. Those buff guys and ripped girls give huge respect to those that are starting out. Focus on your journey ahead. Set small goals that lead to the bigger picture. Once you get going, your going to look 10x better than anyone else anyway, so I'm not really sure what your worried about. The only problem I think that you'll have Valerie, is that your colleagues will not leave you alone, so depending on how you look at it, it may or may not be a problem.