Why do I feel so anxious about weight training in the gym....

yanno what . . . everyone i've come across/talked to/lifted alongside in four years since i took up lifting has got something they're not happy with, some challenge they're trying to rise to, some 'failure' or 'weakness' or form fix that they struggle with. everyone. and always.

that's what strength training is. you identify something, you improve it, you get better, you identify something else, you make it a project to improve that . . . . 'continuous improvement' isn't just about lifting more weight. it's about this kind of internal 'invisible' thing. if you have things you want to work on and things that you'd like to improve, your self-consciousness is a shame because you're absolutely in the right place doing the right things in the right company. you're a lifter i would say you belong.

I felt like this too. I joined a gym a year ago and it just took time to feel comfortable. Now I'm probably too comfortable.

I totally get this. I've been lifting for six years and I usually lift at 5 am. If my schedule gets thrown off and I have to go at a different time, I feel super awkward and nervous... even squatting or deadlifting 200+ lbs. A new environment always freaks me out. Just have a plan and get your stuff done. No one is paying attention to you. Trust me!

Xkmaf2018X wrote: »

How can I get over that feeling of what others will think of me.

I wish there were a good answer for this. You just have to do it.

I had the same reaction when I stepped foot into my gym for the first time almost 6 years ago. I was terrified; terrified of people would think about me, the new fat guy, terrified about what they'd think of what I was doing, how my form looked, etc. I had all the same anxiety you did.

The first big thing to understand is: no one cares about you. Honestly, they don't. They're too concerned about their own self. They're all there for their own goals and improvement. If they're judging anyone, they're judging their own self. They're worried about how they are progressing and they are definitely not worried about you.

The second thing to understand is: most folks at the gym are actually really good, cool people.

I've been at my gym for 6 years now and I know a lot of the regulars. I learned to talk to them (briefly; people are there to workout after all, not have conversations) and get to know their names. The gym becomes a comfortable place when you know who people are. All it takes is a brief introduction and swap of names, and pretty soon you're saying "hi" when you see them walk in. The gym can be a really friendly place. Give it some time.

And a final thought for a little encouragement: people are not judging you, but they will pay attention if you become a regular. And that can lead to some really encouraging events. For instance, a few weeks back a lady at my gym bumped into me (figuratively) and mentioned how she couldn't believe how much I'd changed since she noticed me first coming to the gym. She said I looked a lot different and she was impressed by the change (I've lost 20 lbs. since July and acquire some muscle over the past 6 years). It was a really nice thing for a near-total-stranger to say. But that's the kind of people that gym folk are: They're there to work on their own self, and they know you're doing the same, and everyone just wants to see everyone else make their goals.

It's a positive place, a gym. Embrace it.

No one cares. Lol, most people are worried about what they look like and not what others do.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I just posted on another thread that no one is looking at you, unless your form is crap

But here's the thing - the people who are there and who may notice your form is crap are not going to just comment to themselves that your form is crap and move on, in my experience. No wants to see anyone get hurt in the gym.

When I was first getting going I was doing squats with just the bar. I needed to get my balance right before I started adding any weight. But they felt weird, and wrong, and I couldn't figure out why. I saw a couple of guys watching me out of the corner of my eye, and honestly, that didn't make me feel a lot better. But then one of them came over to me and said that I didn't look comfortable and asked if he could give me some advice. He told me that I needed to widen my stance, and tada! A hundred times better. I love that guy!

You're going to feel weird in there for a wee bit, and that's ok! Before you know it you'll feel right at home.

Xkmaf2018X wrote: »

Thanks all, yeah I did it, been three times now and will be lifting today, first one was scary but after that first squat I know longer worried about anyone else haha! Wahooo to me

Woo hoo! Way to go!