Feeling awkw ard at Gym

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Replies

  • MKEgal
    MKEgal Posts: 3,250 Member
    BTW, that HuffPo article does not say she was asked to cover up because she's too fit, that's just her claim.
    She violated the dress code (which clearly says no halters) and was asked to correct it.

    And PF does not ban intense exercise, they ban things which could harm machines or people - dropping weights, grunting.
    (Yes, grunting. You're doing a Valsalva maneuver, which can drop your heart rate. You pass out or die while trying to lift a heavy bar, and it falls on you, you're hurt.)
  • Rmntrose
    Rmntrose Posts: 23 Member
    I started going to the gym for the first time in 5 years a few weeks ago and I feel awkward also. I'm not very over weight but I am not in shape. I wear my old Navy boot camp sweats and whatever shirt I happen to throw on at the time. I get there and see that 60 % of the people there are probably training for some type of marathon and apparently a supper model and fashion expert. I never really could figure out why people need clothes like that to work out. I was raised in the Navy where you get up at 0530 (when fashion is the last thing on your mind) to work out on the gravel and street or the fantail of the ship. So even though I shouldn't feel awkward looking at all those fit marathon models...I do. I remember where I come from and what matters to me and get back to trying to ignore the dizzy feeling as I try my hardest to hit 300 calories for the day in my tattered old Navy sweats. I will confess, though, that I do plan on rewarding myself with some more updated gym clothes when I hit my goal. Because that awkward feeling (even though I can not understand it) really kind of drives me to get to a point where I don't feel awkward anymore. Also I make an effort to pick out those other 40% of the people there who I know feel just as awkward as me, if not even more awkward, and I smile because I'm not alone and I know the courage it takes to get there anyway.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    MKEgal wrote: »
    And PF does not ban intense exercise, they ban things which could harm machines or people - dropping weights, grunting.
    (Yes, grunting. You're doing a Valsalva maneuver, which can drop your heart rate. You pass out or die while trying to lift a heavy bar, and it falls on you, you're hurt.)

    PF bans intense exercise. We all know this. It is known.

    Grunting is not dangerous either. In fact, it may be a good choice if you're trying to perform maximally.

    http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local/the-pulse/64326-the-science-of-grunting-while-weightlifting

    Yeah that's what's up. The whole policy there is so that lazy people are't twisted over people who put work in. It's a great business approach, but utterly cynical. The pizza, the low cost, the colors used, the judgmental nature. It's brilliant.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Rmntrose wrote: »
    I get there and see that 60 % of the people there are probably training for some type of marathon and apparently a supper model and fashion expert.
    Projection upon others isn't a good long term strategy for fitness.
  • dopeysmelly
    dopeysmelly Posts: 1,390 Member
    You don't know if those super-fit people started out in the same shape as you, or much, much worse. A lot of them may have started out on the same journey as you in the past. I get looks now, some of them slightly jealous-looking, but they don't know that this time last year I was obese with a BMI of 34.

    I put my music on, check my plan on MFP and just hope to do my workout before I have to go pick up my daughter. It's me time, and half the time I don't even notice that there are other people there, except if they're using something I need.
  • shadowloss
    shadowloss Posts: 293 Member
    I agree that you should not feel intimidated or selfconscience when your at the gym. However, people do look and stare for various reasons, but I think you will find they are far different reasons than you would think. Granted this is only from my VERY personal experience.
    1 - People will look, if you are new, just because they get accustomed to seeing the same people there. I can tell you from experience, I'm not looking at the person in disgust, but I'm congratulating them in my mind for making the decision to get to the gym, and hoping to see them around more.
    2 - People will look as you progress, or if THEY are new. I often watch new excercises others are doing and try to incorporate other things into my routine.
    3 - People will look, just merely out of human nature and so that we aren't staring at the same thing while on the treadmill, eliptical, etc... We are all curious by nature, and if you see people looking at you, you must be looking at them to see it?

    I honestly think the people that get stared at and judged the most are the ones that have been there putting in the work. We are all envious and hopefully, we are all inspiring to put in the same effort to get the same result.

    So I would suggest you look at it from a glass half full and embrace the new people that are in your world now. Enjoy the time at the gym and build some relationships. In no time you will be the gym rat that is welcoming in the new kids. Have fun with it.

  • Alidecker
    Alidecker Posts: 1,262 Member
    Just remember that you don't know the story behind those people that are all fit. They could have started obese and worked hard and gotten to be fit. Also what other people said, no one really cares, just get in there and work hard. Most people appreciate seeing someone work really hard.
  • madisonamanda
    madisonamanda Posts: 78 Member
    Those fit people are fit because they go to the gym and focus on themselves and their workout. Some of them may have even started going, feeling awkward and intimidated... (this girl right here!) And now look at them! Killing it.. focus on you.. kill your workout and you'll be glad you did.
  • meridianova
    meridianova Posts: 438 Member
    i picked planet fitness specifically because of their "no critics, no lunkheads" claims. i don't worry so much about the other people there, because i'm naturally introverted and i don't want to talk to them anyway. what i really like is how the staff won't hound you on anything, won't ask you a million questions, won't bug you unless you specifically ask for help. the most i usually ever say to them is my membership number, how many tokens i want for the massage chair when i'm done, and MAYBE a quick "g'night" when i leave.

    all i want is to do my workout and leave, and they let me do just that.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    meridianova wrote: »
    i picked planet fitness specifically because of their "no critics, no lunkheads" claims. i don't worry so much about the other people there, because i'm naturally introverted and i don't want to talk to them anyway. what i really like is how the staff won't hound you on anything, won't ask you a million questions, won't bug you unless you specifically ask for help. the most i usually ever say to them is my membership number, how many tokens i want for the massage chair when i'm done, and MAYBE a quick "g'night" when i leave.

    all i want is to do my workout and leave, and they let me do just that.

    Just so we're on the same page, but that's basically 99% of all gyms.....

    Just wanted to throw that out there.

  • AllOutof_Bubblegum
    AllOutof_Bubblegum Posts: 3,646 Member
    Having a plan definitely helps. I go in with my printed list of lifts to do that day, get it done, and leave. Simple. I don't bother myself with other people are doing or thinking, unless they're using a piece of equipment I want, in which case I skip to the next lift and come back later.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    meridianova wrote: »
    i picked planet fitness specifically because of their "no critics, no lunkheads" claims. i don't worry so much about the other people there, because i'm naturally introverted and i don't want to talk to them anyway. what i really like is how the staff won't hound you on anything, won't ask you a million questions, won't bug you unless you specifically ask for help. the most i usually ever say to them is my membership number, how many tokens i want for the massage chair when i'm done, and MAYBE a quick "g'night" when i leave.

    all i want is to do my workout and leave, and they let me do just that.

    You couldn't have picked a more judgmental gym to actually go to- but just to let you in on a secret... most people at every other "lunk" type gym are there to work out and they don't care about you. And you are the type of person that at over half of MFP is- quiet- get in- get out- not much chatting. easy peasy lemon squeezy.
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    MKEgal wrote: »
    BTW, that HuffPo article does not say she was asked to cover up because she's too fit, that's just her claim.
    She violated the dress code (which clearly says no halters) and was asked to correct it.

    And PF does not ban intense exercise, they ban things which could harm machines or people - dropping weights, grunting.
    (Yes, grunting. You're doing a Valsalva maneuver, which can drop your heart rate. You pass out or die while trying to lift a heavy bar, and it falls on you, you're hurt.)

    And I'm quoting this separately because this is such rubbish it isn't funny.

    First of all- if she wants to workout in a ball gown- or just get a pool lounger and read a book in a ball gown in the gym- as long as she isnt' in my way- she should be able to wear what she wants- her outfit shouldn't' have been grounds- that's just stupid.

    Secondly PF does promote/attract NONE training- NONE intense- NONE serious people. That's their whole gimmick- and clearly- it works
    i picked planet fitness specifically because of their "no critics, no lunkheads" claims

    which is a shame- because it's not helping ^^^ that person- all it's doing is hurting other people. Good job planet fitness- body shaming- and fitness shaming- makes other people look bad- and gives them a bad name/reputation. it's ridiculous.
  • Rmntrose
    Rmntrose Posts: 23 Member
    dbmata wrote: »
    Rmntrose wrote: »
    I get there and see that 60 % of the people there are probably training for some type of marathon and apparently a supper model and fashion expert.
    Projection upon others isn't a good long term strategy for fitness.

    I do agree to that. I'm not sure what I said and what I meant matched. That is not my reason for fitness at all. But, to the OP, the awkwardness will go away with time. Try not to let it discourage you from bettering yourself, physically and mentally :)
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Rmntrose wrote: »
    dbmata wrote: »
    Rmntrose wrote: »
    I get there and see that 60 % of the people there are probably training for some type of marathon and apparently a supper model and fashion expert.
    Projection upon others isn't a good long term strategy for fitness.

    I do agree to that. I'm not sure what I said and what I meant matched. That is not my reason for fitness at all. But, to the OP, the awkwardness will go away with time. Try not to let it discourage you from bettering yourself, physically and mentally :)

    Fair enough, I'll be honest, I project like a movie theater. Maybe I projected my issues on you, making it seem like you were projecting on others, and what those others were projecting upon creating a projectionist's inversion, and dividing by zero.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    edited October 2014
    Oh, another aspect that might be awkward, if I cared.

    Many times, bench press puts my ol fella at full attention.

    Unh, push it. Push it real good.
  • beautifulwarrior18
    beautifulwarrior18 Posts: 914 Member
    Yes but I got over it. It's your health. If you're going to let what you think other people are thinking destroy it then that is your problem that you need to deal with.
  • Rmntrose
    Rmntrose Posts: 23 Member
    Lol
  • RWTBR
    RWTBR Posts: 140 Member
    There were a lot of fit people at planet fitness?
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Ho ho ho you guy. It was pizza night.
  • KameHameHaaaa
    KameHameHaaaa Posts: 837 Member
    I love my planet fitness :) But it also caters to marines, so we have a "real" weights area, squat racks etc. Being as close as it is to my house, open 24 hours, and only $10... it's totally worth it. PLUS free pizza? I won't turn down a free dinner, 'specially since I can fit it in my macros. In the end a gym is what you make of it. Haters gonna hate.

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  • Saratini76
    Saratini76 Posts: 115 Member
    I am usually the most overweight person at my gym when I go in the mornings. It is very intimidating. I usually go with my girlfriend and it's funny how I get "trained" by all the men. "You might want to try....." BLAH! I've done my research, and if I wanted any "help" I'd get lessons from a personal trainer! I still go, smile sweetly, and continue on doing what I am doing. It's very awkward, but this is MY journey....and MY money pays for it. Screw all the judgmental types! :p
  • stupidloser
    stupidloser Posts: 300 Member
    it's awkward, but u have to accept the fact that there are people in better shape than u and u shouldn't feel angry or inferior. It's a mind thing. Tell yourself u r going to look like that in 6 months.
  • llUndecidedll
    llUndecidedll Posts: 724 Member
    edited October 2014
    I feel awkward going to the gym, as well, but it gets better over time.

    So... I just try to focus on what I went there for. Just focus on improving yourself.
  • Rmntrose
    Rmntrose Posts: 23 Member
    stupidloser wrote: »
    it's awkward, but u have to accept the fact that there are people in better shape than u and u shouldn't feel angry or inferior. It's a mind thing. Tell yourself u r going to look like that in 6 months.

    Any given number of those people have probably been on the same journey we are on, thinking they would never be able to get into that kind of shape, but pushing through anyway.

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