weights at the gym...Im scurred :(

I hired a personal trainer to work with me in the weights section once a week. That gave me the confidence that what I was doing was right, and to grab weights of the correct weight for me. It also taught me good form.

I'm in the same situation as you. I go to an Air Force base gym and let's just say I'm not the best looking one there. All the guys are lifting 90 pound dumbbells while I can barely do a dumbbell bench press with 10 pound weights! I feel like a failure. Do you know the exercises you want to do? If not, I highly suggest looking up bodybuilding.com. I know a few other girls that have used this website. They love it and have seen amazing results.

I also agree that you should get a personal trainer. It doesn't have to be every day that you work out. Just plan a couple sessions so you get the gist of how you should be performing the exercises and specific exercises that you should do.

Everybody looks like an idiot the first time. Even those huge beasts wandering around the gym. They had to start somewhere. Suck it up.

Personally, I would find a different gym!

You are in the gym for you, having a personal trainer even for a short period of time will give you confidence in your form and ability. Anyone who goes to a gym regularly will recognize your effort and commitment to improve your health. The "lookie lou's" never last long in a gym, you will earn respect by making an effort asking for assistance, and being there routinely. Stick with it, my first entrance into a gym I weighed 354 pounds, but now when I leg press 450 pounds and grunt (sort of porn sounding) I get respect:) Stick with it:) cause "a girls gotta grunt!"

I was scared too. Then I walked in, put on my I-Know-What-I'm-Doing-****-Off face, and picked up some heavy things.

I'm still very much a beginner, but I act confident and no one bothers me. The more you do it (and the more you educate yourself about it), the more your confidence and actual knowledge grows. There's a solid chance someone WILL at some point be unpleasant to you. It's happened to me. But who cares? Everyone has to start somewhere. Even the biggest guy started from square one, and if he's going to make fun of you for doing the same than he's a *kitten* anyways.

Good luck!

Well as a fat lady trying to lose weight I was terrified of the gym. I just threw myself in it and realized that no one really cares what i am doing and if they do, I don't care!!

As far as weights go, I just threw myself into those as well. I am doing 3 sets of 10 until I can build myself up to more. Just take a deep breath and be brave.......you deserve this and don't let anyone or anything stop you

As a guy, I can tell you the only reason it seems like we're looking around is because we're stalling before the next set. There is most likely no thoughts going threw our mind besides "****, my arms are rubber right now." Just do your thing, you're not being judged. Trust me.

Also- you can always ask someone. I'm in the very small minority being a woman that lifts heavy at my gym, and from time to time I see girls watching me, looking interested in what I'm doing. I kind of wish they would come ask me! I'm not going to go up to someone watching me and be like "Hey- Want me to show you how to do this???" because it would be weird and aggressive. But I would be happy to help anyone who asked!

First thing is to do as much out of gym research as you can. Forums like this one and body building ones can be extremely beneficial and you can lurk over the topics you're interested in as well as ask questions if needed, YouTube is another good source that has a lot of instructional videos, and are of course there are million websites. Second, go to the gym, get on a bike or treadmill or just walk around paying attention to the weight lifters and just learn by watching them, and finally, bite the bullet and give it a shot. If you feel uncomfortable about doing something or your form or whatever, then ask someone for advice or for a spot. Generally, you can find a decent person or two that would just be thrilled you're there doing something. Also, asking an employee wouldn't be a bad idea.

The thing to remember is, you're doing this so that you can get healthier and with that comes confidence. You're not going to be perfect at first, but you have to start somewhere...just like everyone else did. It's about you, and what you're doing to make the changes in your life. You've already shown that you've decided to be dedicated to get in the best shape you can just by joining this site and asking this question. You WANT to learn, you WANT to succeed, and that's all you need to succeed.

The best way to get over a fear is take that one step further than last time. You got this. Remember, you are already awesome because you've already made the choice to be the best you can be...everything else doesn't matter.

Get a trainer, even if it's just for a session or 2 to get you in there and comfortable. And make sure they actually take you IN the weight room. Problem solved.

1. Youtube is your friend. Figure out your routine and what you'll be doing. Write it down or program it into your smartphone if you have one. Watch videos to see how the moves are done so you don't hurt yourself.

2. Don't try to impress anyone. Honestly, they're not worth it. Focus on you and what you're doing. What they're doing doesn't matter.

3. If you're really worried about comments, listen to music. Listen to it loudly so you don't hear the jackwipes.

I have the same problem, and I was on the weightlifting team in high school! So I know what I'm supposed to be doing. I've always been shy. And the thought of trying to lift as out of shape as I am now, keeps me away from the weights. I think the personal trainer is a great idea if you can afford it. I'm starting to work out at home, in the hopes that when I'm in a little better shape, I'll be able to muster up the courage to lift at the gym.

I stay away from "the other side" for the same reason.

I'm not going to recommend a personal trainer because not everyone can afford one....even for "a couple sessions". I agree with the poster that said to educate yourself. Just go online ma, do some research and hopefully that will help. Good luck!

As a guy, I can tell you the only reason it seems like we're looking around is because we're stalling before the next set. There is most likely no thoughts going threw our mind besides "****, my arms are rubber right now." Just do your thing, you're not being judged. Trust me.

^^^ This. Don't be intimidated for no reason. I just did my second set of 6 chin ups and lifting 215 pounds off the ground ain't easy. I'm just standing in this odd location doing nothing because:

A. It's right under a ceiling fan and I'm hot.
B. My biceps are calling 911
C. I'm waiting for my pulse to drop back down under 140
D. I'm not sure I can finish this set listening to this specific song. I think I'll switch to a different song. Yep, tired of this song.
E. Hmmm, let me hit that water bottle again.
F. Should I do cable press down or dips next? Last week the dips were a bit too easy.... yeah, better do them last when my arms are the weakest.
G. Did I take a protein shake this morning? Can't remember. Need to double check my food diary when I'm done.
H. It's raining outside. Need to turn off the sprinkler so it doesn't come on tonight.

The last thing on my mind is "O gee, I wonder if there are any newbs using weights that I can mock quietly and feel superior to?" Everyone that has bigger muscles than you isn't automatically a douche or a curl-monkey. You're making all that up in your mind. No, I don't smile or acknowledge you right away if you walk to the weights. I assume you're there to workout, and that you'll scream "rape" and pull out the pepper spray if I so much as glance at you.

Just jump in and do your thing. I probably won't even notice you're there other than to think "Soon as she's done in that area I need grab some dumbbells."