Gym anxiety
VegasCaveman
Posts: 10 Member
Curious how others handle it. I'm a tall guy and so when I go to my gym I get nervous about using weight machines properly to the point that I avoid them. Since I've started back up I have a personal trainer once a week and that will help but I still am waiting. I'm pretty much commiting to only cardio till then because I look at weights and am clueless on what to do with myself. Can anyone relate or am I just a wuss with this?
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Your tall, I'm short. I just adjust any machine I need to use to suit my height.
Your trainer will help you past the anxiety and show you the ropes.
Cheers, h.3 -
I had gym anxiety too. I have anxiety about a lot of things in life. The more I went, the better I felt, and the less I cared about what other people thought. I still get anxious every once in a while, specifically if I have to go when it's busy, but I just push through it 'cause eff it.
You will feel more confident once your trainer shows you what to do with weights.3 -
I have found for me working out at the gym I do better then working out at home by myself. I to adjust the machines to fit my my heght . Start slow and work your self at your own pace, Whatever you do stick with it. You will be glad you did.2
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First figure out what muscle you want to work on and then pick your machines accordingly2
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Dont be nervous, 90% of people are focused on their workout and literally are not paying you any mind
do your thing, practice will help ease the anxiety.
Aa far as height and machines, try out dumbells and barbells, they work more stabilizing muscles and are the preferred route for many exercises5 -
I had terrible gym anxiety as well, then back in November I sucked it up and joined one. Because I didn't want to look foolish, I grabbed an elliptical that faced the weights so I could watch for a few times. Then I jumped in, and was completely fine. Even as a tall individual, just experiment with the machines at a lower weight until you feel comfortable. Then start adding on.
Plus, if you're afraid of people thinking you look silly, don't. Although it took me a bit, I realized not a single person really cares what I am doing. They are busy doing their own thing. Plus, even the well-trained make a mistake every once and awhile. So take the leap and jump right in. It may be uncomfortably at first, but you will be glad you did.6 -
I manage my gym anxiety by going the hour before close when there's just a handful of people there.
You'll feel more comfortable after more time at your gym with your trainer
How tall are you?2 -
I reckon you will get more confident as time goes on. Just keep at it.
Also when I go to the gym people are just busy doing their thing, all trying to look good so don't worry3 -
Your trainer might be able to write up a program for you (to do on your own) and take you through it in one of your sessions. It's much easier to do if you have it all written down in front of you and have had some explain the technique.
Otherwise, you can google/make your own routines/copy your trainers routines for you and then you can hop on youtube and watch explanations of how to do the exercises/use the machines. The internet is magical
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Yeah, I want no part of that gym scene. I can do without that social component that's involved when other people are around. I exercise by myself, that works for me.0
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One thing I found that really helped was taking photos of people actually using the machines. No matter how many times I was run through the exercise, I could never remember how to do it.
I got my boyfriend to use the machine, I would take some photos and pick the best one that showed the exercise. Added it to a iphone album for that workout (eg. chest, legs). Now when I go on my own, I look at the album and it helps me remember the routine. I can also then use the mirror to compare form.
If you have a personal trainer, ask if it's okay for them to photograph you doing it or if it's ok to photograph them doing it.0 -
Dont be nervous, 90% of people are focused on their workout and literally are not paying you any mind do your thing, practice will help ease the anxiety.
Aa far as height and machines, try out dumbells and barbells, they work more stabilizing muscles and are the preferred route for many exercises
This is definitely something i'm gearing for. I think a lot of the gym anxiety more stems from lack of knowledge of what weights to pick up and how to hold them over my head haha. I'm definitely more comfortable with my typical cardio routine.1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »I manage my gym anxiety by going the hour before close when there's just a handful of people there.
You'll feel more comfortable after more time at your gym with your trainer
How tall are you?
I'm 6'9" So i'm up there more than the average tall guy. I think it's just a fact of waiting a week when i want to know the knowledge now. Patience sucks!0 -
One thing I found that really helped was taking photos of people actually using the machines. No matter how many times I was run through the exercise, I could never remember how to do it.
I got my boyfriend to use the machine, I would take some photos and pick the best one that showed the exercise. Added it to a iphone album for that workout (eg. chest, legs). Now when I go on my own, I look at the album and it helps me remember the routine. I can also then use the mirror to compare form.
If you have a personal trainer, ask if it's okay for them to photograph you doing it or if it's ok to photograph them doing it.
I love this idea. When i have my Trainer apointment next monday I think i'll definitly have him take some photos of me with my phone. For 1 they make awesome motivational pictures, 2 they'll be handy as a guide. Thanks for the tip! 1 -
I go to Planet Fitness. They have a no - judgement policy.0
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VegasCaveman wrote: »Dont be nervous, 90% of people are focused on their workout and literally are not paying you any mind do your thing, practice will help ease the anxiety.
Aa far as height and machines, try out dumbells and barbells, they work more stabilizing muscles and are the preferred route for many exercises
This is definitely something i'm gearing for. I think a lot of the gym anxiety more stems from lack of knowledge of what weights to pick up and how to hold them over my head haha. I'm definitely more comfortable with my typical cardio routine.
Me too! I feel like I'll be judged, even if I'm doing it right! That's why I try to go to the gym when I know that nobody will be there (I've gone at midnight!). I'm getting better, little by little. Today I'm going to try going at lunchtime and do some weight lifting. I try to tune out other people there but it's hard. One day I was there, lifting weights and 3 guys showed up. My anxiety level rose....but I continued on doing what I do. At one point I looked up and all 3 of them were watching me. Just hanging out on the benches staring. I am nothing to stare at so I don't know what the heck they were looking at! It's not like I was in a tight tank top and booty shorts! LOL2 -
I'd recommend working with your trainer for advice, but this channel has a lot of good instructional videos. He's certainly not the only one out there, but I like his common sense approach: https://www.youtube.com/user/JDCav24
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my husband's 6' 7" and no one at l.a. fitness pays any attention to him when he works out.2
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Packerjohn wrote: »
Oh god, enough with that. No one there actually judges people who lift, and MOST people I see there are very fit and even bulky.
And it's spelled hypocrites.0 -
I used to be terrified as well. I just kept thinking to myself that unless someone is being disruptive, I never pay attention to others at the gym more than a glance (even if they are really tall). Odds are, no one is concerned with what I'm doing either. Take your time, read the directions on the machine, and let your personal trainer help and just remember that everyone there is more concerned with working on themselves than they are with judging you!1
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I'ma 60 year old woman and have been regularly attending a gym for darn near 40 years. I feel at home. I don't pay any attention to what others are doing...really. Do your own thing and stop worrying that others are watching. They aren't.0
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I'd also recommend looking at the subreddit r/Fitness.
There is a lot of great information there.0
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