Embarrassed to go to gym

some people are built strong and others aren't.... that lady must have been an avid gym goer and didn't get like that over night. Maybe make it your goal to be strong like her.... you aren't there to compete and maybe you can even ask her for advice...

My trainer said it best... Everyone has their first day.

People are at the gym for themselves not to judge other people, I think its encouraging that you are taking steps towards a better you and keep it it, nothing to be embarrased about!

My trainer said it best... Everyone has their first day.

People are at the gym for themselves not to judge other people, I think its encouraging that you are taking steps towards a better you and keep it it, nothing to be embarrased about!

i LOVE this...and i agree with all of it....each time you go to the gym you will do better...dont give up!!!

Instead of feeling embaressed about it, just look at their will as your motivation. You're there to get fit and lose weight right? don't let that stop you...keep going to the gym and pretty soon you'll be where they are.

Just go!!
If you have time to analyze what others are doing at the gym, then you aren't working hard enough.
And everyone has different fitness goals...and I can promise you that woman was not standing around worrying if you were going to outlift her.

I was watching the Biggest Loser a couple weeks ago when the cast went home for 2 weeks. They showed clips of Arthur, the biggest guy ever to be on the show, jogging down the street at home. I totally felt like a jerk for all the times I said I didn't want to run in public because I might jiggle too much or look like a chubby girl jogging. We are our own worst critics. I bet no one else is thinking anything of you being there. You're taking steps to get healthy and you're not going to be able to immediately do all these intense things. That lady probably works out all the time and if she didn't then she wouldn't be able to do that. Do a little extra each time and work at your own pace! I've heard of very obese people going to the track and only being able to make it around a quarter of the track but each day they move a little more until they're running a mile. Don't let others have any control over your health or your success!

Hi! Do you have any friends or family that have the same/similar goals? Because I find it always helps me if I have a buddy. Otherwise, I put my earphones in, crank the music up as loud as it can go, and ignore everyone else! You are all there for the same reason, regardless your level of fitness. If they are too busy looking at you and what you're doing, then you should be flattered because they are obviously more concerned with you than they are themselves.

And- all in all, if you still can't get past it, there are plenty of great ways to get a workout in other than at a gym! Get some fitness tapes and a mat and go it alone- in the privacy of your own home

There are some strength training exercises you could do at home to get your strength up before heading to the gym again. I know because I have the same problem. I hate watching other people work out because I always feel inferior when they are doing SO much better than me. I am embarrassed by my lack of strength and stamina. There are lots of places online where you can find modified exercises, using milk jugs full of water instead of going out and buying weights, cans of soup, push-ups... Things like that will help you build the muscle mass and burn the fat so you aren't so self conscious at the gym.

Another thing that I've tried is going with a friend in a similar fitness bracket to me. That way I feel like I am on level with SOMEONE. I've also pushed myself to talk to others, even though I am pretty shy.... Just starting with small talk and then explaining a bit about your own fitness journey can sometimes garner new friends as well as a workout pal.

Just keep reminding yourself that you DON'T have anything to prove to these people. The journey you are taking is for YOU and you should be incredibly proud of yourself for taking steps down that path anyway! Being at the gym and starting out small is just another step. Really, think about it. One day, YOU will be the strong guy that someone is looking at going "wow... I am SO weak compared to him" and then YOU will have the chance to help someone else out!

My first day at the gym I was on the strider for five minutes, thought I would die, and then got on a bike for a few minutes. There were all ages, shapes, sizes of people around who could lift more, run farther, stride faster, etc than I could. My only insight is to keep it up, you are not there for anyone's benefit but your own. Keep going back, for yourself, and you will soon be the one that the new guys are looking at wondering how you can run so fast, jump so high, etc.

Dont be embarrassed! We all have our starting points. Be proud that youre getting to the gym and that you are making positive choices in your life!! Not everyone gets the courage you have to get out there! You're a rock star and dont you forget it.

Just keep going......people shouldn't be looking at how much weight you are lifting!
In Planet fitness.....the machines are set up so you can't really see how much weight people have on there..
I guess with free weights...there's no way to hide it.

You are there to improve your own health and you are doing more than the avarage guy who doesn't go to the gym at all...

I have never cared for men with huge bulging muscles....maybe it's just me. ......Just enough muscle to help carry groceries in the house is good enough for me :-)

How do you think they got that way? By going to the gym! I go, I do the classes, but there are people of all fitness levels. Don't focus on anyone else but you. Chances are they aren't judging you, they may even been thinking, "good for him!" I swear I am the fattest person in all my classes, but everyone is very accepting and nice. The trainer who sold me my membership said people are afraid of the gym because they think its all fit people. They are there, but there are all sorts of levels. And remember, those people at the gym are in shape because they go. And many have been where we are so don't let it discourage you!

1. Find a gym that meets your needs -- both the brand of gym (ex. YMCA or Bally's) and the location. I personally found big differences between different YMCA locations. Some seemed very accepting of all shapes, ages and abilities, while others made me feel more uncomfortable.

2. LOVE that you're focused on ability, not appearance. I was always inspired to see little old ladies at the gym who clearly thought about their bodies in terms of what they were capable of doing, not in terms of what they looked like. If only we could all adopt that mindset!

Hehe, Male ego! I know the feeling, my GF is in much better shape than me, she even teaches aerobics part time. And there is a woman at the gym, who is fiftyish, and she is incredibly buff, doing stuff I can't even think of doing. But I go anyway because if I don't workout I don't have a chance of meeting my calorie goal!

Just go for it, it will really help with losing some excess pounds.