Too Embarrassed to Lift Those Weights

This is exactly how I feel!

I only lift when its dead at the gym...the other day I literally went to my gym...saw it was crowded...headed straight for the comfort zone (treadmills) ...

..then went home and did a suitcase workout (youtube it lol).

I honestly think I just need to spend one session with a personal trainer that can show me all the ropes. I reeeeally hate this "stage-fright".

As much as everyone keeps saying they mind their own business when working out I've seen a BUNCH of threads about poor form and "I can't believe I saw this at the gym!" and yadda yadda.

Wanna make a pact to suck it up do it tomorrow? lol

Come talk to us over on Stronglifts for women http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/4618-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

Or join the New Rules of Lifting for Women group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/102-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-nrol4w


I also wrote this a little while ago: How I became unafraid of the mostly boy weight room http://2010flacas.blogspot.com/2012/05/how-i-became-unafraid-of-mostly-boy.html

I don't know why gyms don't work harder to make women feel welcome in the weights area. It would make them money...

That said, yup, can relate.

Think about it this way.

You think those guys are cute - they come over and give you a little one on one attention to help you out...

...You get some good lifting form, and attention from a cute guy - and he's probably getting a kick out of it himself!

It's a win win win.

There's nothing to be afraid of - you even being in there is a massive step ahead of a lot of others, and the guys in there will know this.

No one is looking at you.

Pre-emptive strike: go up to someone who looks vaguely approachable and ask if he has the time to show you as you want to start lifting. After he's dropped the weight on his foot in shock, sworn under his breathe and jumped on his other foot for five minutes, I'm sure he'd be more than pleased to show you the ropes.

If you get intimidated in the weight room, you might as well get a personal trainer or a gym buddy who knows the way around the gym and how stuff works. And yeah don't get embarassed if you don't know how to lift weights properly, men doesn't care, most of us find it cute and makes us just wanna walk towards you and offer some help.

I wouldnt worry about it, im the unfit one at my kickboxing class and have to work really hard to keep up but what the hell! Just do it anyway

If as a woman, you're intimidated...just think how most guys feel who have never lifted before feel....


Truth is I'm sure most people go through this when they first get started. It's all a learning curve. Go down, ask questions of either trainers at the gym or people who look like they probably have an idea. Seek out other women too. Go as a group.

I went alone in the beginning and didn't have a clue what I was doing. Dumb for me..I know...but that's what I did. It took about 2 months or so before several people at the gym (and some half my age) came over and asked if they could help. (I obviously looked like I could use it). LOL

Those that were not trainers told me "I'm no expert, but here's what I understand" and then one of the guys use to be a personal trainer and run a major gym. He helped me with several pieces of equipment and how to isolate and use good technique and control.

Then (and only now) am I reading about the various ways to obtain goals and isolate things and training patterns. I now have much more confidence to ask other guys and even pro atheletes how they do what they do and the best form. Everyone is super nice and helpful.

I see women there (and have some tell me) they are intimidated. I tell them there is no reason for it. Just learn good technique, ask people to help you, and feel more confident in what you are trying to do.

Best words of advice to me (once you get started) are - Warm up first (15-30 min), go into the weight room with a purpose (goal) and be organized about how you approach it. It will cut down on your wasted time in the weight room. People will help you figure out what's best for you - super sets (pull / push vs top bottom) - alternating excercise or stacks, reverse stacks etc. All that's for later. For now...just figure out what on your body you want to work (total or isolated) and then have someone help you.

Of course guys are going to look. Most of the time it's just glancing around to see who is where and on what equipment. However, I'm one that likes the idea of women working out in the weight room. I find the mixed environment refreshing and I know everyone there is there for the same purpose...to get healthy, fit, flexible, and strong.

So go and no worries. Just enjoy.

My suggestion is to stick some headphones in and go.

I'm the chick at 6 am, with headphones in who is just gets in an goes.. I don't care who's looking or who's thinking what.

I've gotten the occasional look or stare.. and one guy told me what I was doing looked really weird(I blame my trainer.. he likes to do crazy things!) but for the more part people leave me alone.

If you have that look on your face like look, I'm here to workout, don't **** with me.. then people wont'.. that simple!

My gym is separated into strength training equipment/TRX/weights on the first floor and cardio on the second. I know I should be getting some strength training in to round out my routine, but I always find myself too embarrassed to grab those dumbbells. The first floor is completely DOMINATED by men covered in (sometimes beautiful/admirable/distracting) muscles (; The thought of going down there is so intimidating and awkward.

Irrationally, I feel like someone is gonna watch me and be like "wow, look.. her form is all wrong. She's so stupid." I was just wondering if anyone else felt like this. Hahaha. I just need to muster up some nerve and trek down there one of these days.

Four things to keep in mind.

1. Your form isn't going to get better by itself. Get down there and get started working on it.
2. Those muscle covered men? Here's a secret for you. When they started, their form sacked too. Might still be bad. Also, when THEY first started lifting they were worried about looking like an idiot just like you are right now. I know I was. The only difference between us and you is that *we started*. Get down there. Now.
3. Everybody looks at everybody working out. There's a lot of boring down time between sets. They aren't paying special attention to you. Well, unless you're smoking hot. That brings us to the final point.
4. All women lifting heavy in the free weights section are smoking hot. Regardless of age or shape, if you work out in the free weights section, you are smoking hot. In my book, anyway.

Be smoking hot. Go lift.

i actually am more inclined to shake my head at the women that do tons of cardio. i once walked into the gym and noticed a woman on the stair climber. about thirty minutes later i saw her get on the treadmill. at the end of my work out i saw her on the elliptical.

i wish more women would venture into the weights area. i would just cream my pants if a girl asked me to show her how to do a proper dead lift.

bump for later