Self conscious at the gym

i think it's okay to look at the mirror when doing squats as a beginner, i use to do it a lot too when i first started lifting in the past. all you need to do is take that step out in order to move forward, even if it looks stupid or silly, there is still a point in doing it because it'll let you know what mistakes you're making so you can learn and fix them, it's the only way to become better.

there were these guys at a different gym i used to go to a long time ago, they used to laugh at me when i just started lifting, i was like almost 230 lbs of fat, looking stupid and making a lot of mistakes but i did not care as they weren't that much better than me anyway. but each time while i'm on my way home from gym, i would ask myself a bunch of questions like what am i doing wrong? which muscles is this exercise for? what can i do to make it work for me? and each time i would go online to do research, and look into everything once i get home. from biomechanics, to medical science, to physics, nutrition, and just a lot of things i never even knew or thought about. the knowledge really helped and i got better at lifting each time.

so all you really need to do is take that step to go outside of your comfort zone, over time you'll get more comfortable and your comfort zone will also start expand with each step. and who knows, maybe one day you'll become so comfortable and confident at doing squats, we'll even see you on youtube attempting to break world records at a USAPL powerlifting meet in front of a whole crowd lols.

Wait, is doing squats in front of the mirror not a normal thing? I'm not a beginner, and I always do goblet squats in front of the mirror. The free weights are right in front of the mirror, so makes a lot more sense for me to pick them up and just take a few steps back, than to pick them up and then walk to another area.
Just make sure you're not right in front of the mirror, nor are too close to others who are working out.

The only advice I have is to keep doing it until you aren't nervous anymore.

What's the worst that could happen? Probably no one thinks you are stupid - most people are not paying attention to you at all. But just for the sake of argument, let's say everyone there thinks you look like a complete idiot who has no idea what you are doing. So? Will you die? You absolutely will NOT die from others thinking you look stupid. Especially since you aren't stupid. You are smart because you are lifting weights and getting strong.

I signed up with a trainer to get over my fears at the gym. He told me what to do, and I didn't feel stupid cause he was clearly an expert!

As for free weights, even when I was working with my trainer, I never looked in the mirror. I prefer to focus on how the moves feel, so I look down, or focus on something else, as well as on my breathing, instead of watching myself.

When I squat, I do it facing away from the mirror as well. I use the Smith Machine often, and just look the other way. I'm really self-conscious too. I mostly avoid looking at people in the gym, and just do my thing. However, whenever I do need to talk to someone (asking if they are using something, saying excuse me to get by, etc), I always have found everyone at the gym to be super nice and pleasant.

Sometimes it helps to PRETEND that you are confident. Workout can make you FEEL AMAZING! I like to walk around the gym with a bit of "oomph". Shoulders back, brisk pace to the next machine/spot in the gym, etc. It might sound funny, but it makes a big difference for me.

I go to PF also. The only time I see any head shakes or eye rolls is at the other end of the spectrum - people who are usually in pretty good shape seemingly trying to draw attention, strutting, looking around and nodding at people right as they are starting then pushing the PF limit on grunting and rattling weights. Most people are just doing their own thing.

believe me, you're not alone! I think most of us felt this way at some point, especially at the beginning. It gets easier in time, you'll get used to it. And if you do come across an very occasional creep who's staring at your bum while you're doing squats, turn around and ask what does he want, I guarantee you he'll be the one who's embarrassed and will leave (happened to me a few times, but I think it might be because the gym I used to go to was in a very dodgy area and there was all sorts of weird people going there, hasn't happened since I left) . Apart from that, like everyone else said, people are so focused on their workouts they really don't pay attention to what you're doing. Good luck on your journey

arilukaszewicz1 wrote: »

Thank you everyone! It’s reassuring to know that most people don’t care what you are doing. I didn’t want to sound self absorbed I am just genuinely unconfident, and I want to change that. You guys def inspired me!

I think you will find that most people at the gym are super nice, supportive and helpful. Most will not notice you and if they do, they are noticing your hard work and effort just to show up and try. I used to be self conscious about failing a lift with other people around. But I can't tell you how amazing it is when people notice you struggling and stop what they are doing to encourage you. It's made the difference between failing a lift and giving that extra umpf to grind it out. Instead of feeling self-conscious that people are watching me, it makes me feel supported.

Can you schedule a personal training session at your gym? When I was starting out I found that working out with a trainer made me feel less intimidated and self-conscious. Now that I know what I'm doing I don't give it a second thought.

It gets easier with time. I've learned that the people there, are usually there to get a workout in and aren't paying attention to others. I know when I'm working hard, I'm too busy to even see who's doing what or even at the gym.

O.P. How many people have you noticed doing squats in front of the mirror and thought THEY were stupid? Most feel about you as you feel about them. Go to the gym, get your work in, be friendly and go home.