I am in your shoes right now. I keep going to my Y and say this is the day, but I get there and choose the elliptical instead. They have people who walk around and monitor you. I just feel so out of place. Some of the exercises, like pushups and the ball I just can't do there. I have been feeling so horrible about it. All I do is the elliptical there and come home and do some squats and reps with my dumbbells. I feel I will never get over my fear!

I am in your shoes right now. I keep going to my Y and say this is the day, but I get there and choose the elliptical instead. They have people who walk around and monitor you. I just feel so out of place. Some of the exercises, like pushups and the ball I just can't do there. I have been feeling so horrible about it. All I do is the elliptical there and come home and do some squats and reps with my dumbbells. I feel I will never get over my fear!

Why can't you do pushups or the ball? Start where you're at. I can almost guarantee you that no one will make fun of you.

I see guys in my weight area using the ball for different exercises. I get lots of respect for being the only female in the gym who hits the floor to bang out pushups. I started out using the railing, and eventually worked my way to doing them on the floor. Now, I can do T-pushups and explosive pushups, too.

The first few times are the hardest. After that, you'll notice that everyone works out pretty much on the same days at the same times, so you'll get used to the guys who are lifting around you. Some of them will know what they're doing, and like a previous poster said, some will be doing some silly stuff and not know a thing. Honestly, when people in the weight room are standing around and look like they're staring or judging, they're probably not -- they're just resting between sets and catching their breath.

Just make yourself do it once. The biggest, strongest, most serious guys are usually the ones who also have the most respect for women in the weight room.