I confess...

I am so with you there. Just yesterday I asked a friend of mine to show me how to do the squats with the dumbbell. I have yet to do it on my own. They are intimidating.
Just ask someone and they will probably help you. most guys are willing to assist a lady.

Walk over and say "hi, can someone show me how to do squats?", and then get out of the way

Whoever wins the fight will be glad to help

Ha!!!

If someone offered you a million dollars to learn how to be "pretty good" at the guitar in a year, what would you do?

Take that exact process and apply it to weight lifting. Read books, watch videos, ask people, and just try it out and see what happens. A good weight training program is the best thing you can do for your appearance and health (presuming you're eating right already) and you will look back and laugh while being a role model for those who feel like you used to.

Check out this group on the forums. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/4618-stronglifts-5x5-for-women
Also New Rules of Lifting for Women. http://www.thenewrulesoflifting.com/nrol-for-women.
You can preview the book at Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Women-Goddess/dp/1583333398

Personally I like the stronglifts. http://stronglifts.com/stronglifts-5x5-beginner-strength-training-program/
http://www.lundswingtsun.se/pdfwce/stronglifts5x5.pdf

There are a lot of Youtube videos that you can check out after you pick a program

Oh, my biggest piece of advice: don't use a "smith machine" for squats or overhead presses. It is fine for pull ups and inverted rows, but you can damage yourself with the other exercises.

Maybe you should get a trainer if you can afford it. Don't be so hard on yourself.

There is a gazillion videos on youtube covering pretty much every common exercise out there. Pick one with a high rating and follow, youtube reviewers are quick to vote down bad form.

The beefcakes are grateful just to see a woman in the free weight area, so don't worry about it. As a guy I really had to get over the embarrassment of starting with light weight. Nobody said anything disrespectful, but I hated to be the guy pulling 30lbs on the lat machine or bench pressing with just the bar when the big boys were around.

I started with the not-so-scary stuff and I'm slowly working my way up. Machines first, a few dumbbell exercises, Smith machine squats, hiding out in the MMA room to work on form when no one is in there. My next goal is to graduate on to barbell stuff. . Bodybuilding.com has an exercise library that I love, along with alternate exercises, videos, and step-by-steps. Youtube is also very handy. New Rules of Lifting is great, and so is Jamie Eason's LiveFit. That may not be the best method for you, but it worked for me. Don't let your fears keep you from what you really want to do. Get in there with confidence and own it

I quit the gym a month ago because I was too intimidated to do anything except for cardio going to stick with working out at home/outside and maybe sign back up after I lose these extra 20 pounds. DON'T be like me though! Just do it! (I know, easier said than done... lol)

trust me, most of those peeps in the lifting area have no idea what they're doing.

I agree with finding a youtube channel with someone that has good form doing free weights. After you become familiar with what good form looks like....study the people in the BA section....you will then be able to pick out the ones with good form, AND the ones who are totally lifting wrong! This will help empower you! Does your gym have mirrors that you can adjust your own form as you go through your ROM?

I also agree with starting a routine that is easy enough, and setting a "first time" goal that you can meet. You can always push yourself later. This is a mental challenge, not a physical one. But you are the one facing it. You've got this!

At one point in time most of those people in the bad *kitten* section didn't know how to squat either. Just make the leap and ask for some pointers, you'll be glad you did

Some of them still may not know how to squat. Read up on proper form, and and watch some videos. The stronglifts for women group has a ton of great resources in the summary about the program. Get an idea of what you are supposed to be doing and what is correct. Don't ask the guy dropping his hips 3 inches to show you squats. :laugh:

A trainer is also a good option, but be very upfront about the program you want to do (if you have one in mind) and the lifts you want to learn. Ask if they are comfortable showing you those. I've seen one trainer at my gym have someone bench press, and his form is horrible, and the trainer doesn't correct it. I'd never ask him for advice. Another one has clients do squats in the smith machine but their feet are 2 feet in front of their body. I wouldn't ask him either.

Basically, do all the research as if you were going to do it on your own. Then ask for help from a random person in the weight room or a trainer as long as it looks like they are doing it the right way.

I have this desire to lift heavy. I seriously would love to go to the gym, grab a bar and just have at it. Do squats, and be bad *kitten*.

But...every single damn time I go to the gym I do my cardio (run on the treadmill). The entire time i'm thinking to myself, I'm just going to go and do it. Then when I'm done, I walk my *kitten* over to the free weights and just do those. :sad: All these people in the bad *kitten* people section know what they are doing and I don't have a clue. I know that if I go over there i'm going to look like the biggest dumbass. :laugh:

I confess i'm a gym scared-y cat. :grumble:

I wish I had someone that would go with me just a few times until I felt confident doing it on my own.

^^This is totally me too. I am going to hire a trainer for a session or two to help me get started - hopefully that subsides my fears and insecurities!

Love your replies..what a sweetie & helpful : )

It's funny in a way, this idea that these super fit people are making fun of you. Do you think they got that way by sitting around hating? It's not easy to look like that. They respect hard work, if they even notice you at all.

You will be surprised how quickly most people will be willing to help a new person who really wants to learn. If you are anywhere near Boston MA let me know, I'll show you the ropes.

And if people give you grief to hell with them. Haters gonna hate. Ignore them and go do it.

I'm going to bet that at most gyms you wouldn't even have to hire a trainer. They'd show you the right way to do things and once you get hooked sign you up for a session to really show you how to burn it up.

The thing is, I am really intimidated in that area. I know I need to get over it. I don't think I would ever build up the courage to actually walk up to a stranger and ask "can you show me how to do this?". UGH. Maybe I should just hire a trainer for a couple of sessions until I feel more confident to do it myself.

You guys are right and I know you are, lifting is going to change my body. I need to get over being too embarrassed to go over there and do it part.

I feel you! I'm exactly the same! ><
I really wish I had a close friend who knew the ropes : (