Feeling intimidated at the gym

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  • omunoz2007
    omunoz2007 Posts: 6 Member
    Kimo159 wrote: »
    omunoz2007 wrote: »
    JoRocka wrote: »
    omunoz2007 wrote: »
    Rule number one...DO NOT compete with others. You need to remember that the regulars who go to the gym have not always looked as they do currently. They have reached their physique by grabbing the free weights. Gym rats are some of the most insecure people in the world. If they were so "secure" about themselves they wouldn't need to go to the gym everyday. Get over the fear/risk factor. Life is about taking risks. You will never get anywhere by playing it safe. DO NOT mind the people surrounding you. Stay focused and the best that you can be!

    what?

    are you serious?
    This is ridiculous and way to broad brush that it can't possibly be true.

    Everyone's got issues- my issues aren't other peoples issues. Their issues aren't my issues- but saying everyone's insecure because they go to the gym is a giant pile poop. That's just a ridiculous assumption.

    OP. Pretend like no one is there- more people ARE indeed concerned with themselves- but the reality is the some of the meanest people in the gym are the nicest and will be the first in line to jump and help out.

    The biggest thing to helping you feel more confident is HAVE A PLAN when you step in the gym- if it's to go do curls- or walk on the treadmill- just have a plan- you'll feel significantly better and more confident about what you're doing.
    Excuse me? Of course I am serious. Everyone has issues...this is true. People go to the gym to do what? Stay healthy? Look good? Yes...? We do this to make us feel "secure" about ourselves. It's about owning up to your own truths. Embrace the truths and MOVE FORWARD. DO NOT stay there. By the way, I'm a gym rat.

    Blanket assumption much? Just because you're insecure it doesn't mean that every gym rat is insecure.

    ANYWAY to the OP: When I first started going to the gym I paid for two personal training sessions. It helped me gain some confidence in the gym and my surroundings and made it much more comfortable for me. It might be worth looking into. Some gyms even have free walk throughs where they show you the equipment etc, which can be extremely helpful in boosting your confidence.

    First of all I never said that every gym rat is insecure. And second, the fact that my post, which wasn't directed towards you, speaks volumes of your insecurities/securities. I was only giving some advice to the original poster.
  • kar328
    kar328 Posts: 4,159 Member
    I felt the same way two summers ago. I was doing too much cardio and knew I had lost muscle mass and needed to learn to lift, but was intimidated by the idea of being in that section of the gym. (52 years old and overweight) I got sessions with one of the personal trainers, a woman who's only 5 feet. I loved watching her confidence as we did our sessions and how comfortable she was (yes, I know it's her job). It helped me a lot mentally, as well as learning the lifts and the correct form for each. One time I was there for a while when I looked up and suddenly realized it was me and a bunch of guys that were probably in college. No one looked at me funny or even noticed, and I realized how much more confident I felt and it made me smile.
  • Hazel9999
    Hazel9999 Posts: 21 Member
    eacgfambam4 wrote: »
    Hi! I started my weight loss journey last year and lost 20-25 pounds. My family joined the gym at the end of the year. I've been going to the weight machines room and then cardio but my ultimate goal is free weights. I'm still 75+lbs overweight and I'm terrified of walking into the free weights room alone. There's no one I know that would be even slightly interested in being my workout partner. Is it just me? How do I get over the intimidation factor? I have no idea what I'm doing with free weights. I hate people staring. Thoughts? Suggestions?

  • Hazel9999
    Hazel9999 Posts: 21 Member
    I usually laugh when I'm in the free weights room listening to blokes grunting sometimes shouting as they compete with each other to lift weights that are too heavy. Then they drop them to the floor and I think, where is the controlled lift and lower. Get in there and work out to your own level, ignore the guys. Some of them are really weedy as well.
  • Davisville91
    Davisville91 Posts: 4 Member
    hey there. listen... we were all in your shoes at one time. we all walked in there without a clue!!! and... if you tell me you didnt , then you are a liar! Once weighing 316 lbs after pregnancy, i HAD to do something. It wasnt my fault... pregnancy just didnt agree with me. So after being on bed rest for 3 months before i delivered... i had some SERIOUS work to do after. I joined a gym. I had NO clue where to even start. I ASKED someone. I looked things up ( in books, no internet back then). I am NOW a personal trainer. I have been for 10 years. I love it when someone comes up to me and ASKS for my help. Its my job. Its what i am there to do. I now am a gym rat. I lift 5 days a week and i do 30 to 45 minutes of cardio 6 days a week. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!! :)
  • samchez0
    samchez0 Posts: 364 Member
    I was really intimidated too. I was lucky and the first few times I went the free weight area has been fairly empty. One of the times there were these two guys there and I watches how they did their squats and found it super helpful though.
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