Female new to weight training..How do I lose the self concio

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  • JustJennie1
    JustJennie1 Posts: 3,749 Member
    Just do it. I'm fairly certain that no one is looking at you and snickering. No one is pointing and chanting: "Newbie Newbie! Check out the NEWBIE!" Everyone started where you are at one time. After a while you'll be comfortable and you'll look around and realize that every one is in their own little world and you're the last thing that they're thinking about.

    Don't be intimidated or feel self conscious. There's no need to. Most of the people who lift weights are very nice. :)
  • life1979_24
    life1979_24 Posts: 147 Member
    I am new to the gym i go do 20-60 min of cardo. Hit all the lower body machines. Then slowly working my way over to the free weights. I feel out pf place but mostly cuz i tore up my sholder in january and am not allowed to add weight i am just now doing range of motion and i figure the meet heads think im crazy using there side with no desire to bulk and no weight on the rack. I figure we are all there for the same reason (the to improve ourselfs) even if we have different goals they still respect your effort. And honestly i think the few looks i have gotten were only at my chest.
    just do it :-)
  • mercrain
    mercrain Posts: 1
    I do circuit training at home, and I love it. No one's looking at me and I don't feel self conscious at all. I use Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, and all you need is a set of hand weights. Cardio is great, but honestly I have felt a whole new level of empowerment and fitness by doing weights too. It's like anything else- the more you do it, the more confident you feel. Good luck!
  • Nopedotjpeg
    Nopedotjpeg Posts: 1,805 Member
    Realize a lot of people in weight rooms have just as little idea of what the hell they're doing even if it looks like they do. I've only recently been consistent with weight lifting myself, and the fact is, you have to just accept that people might look at you now and again. The thing is though, you're there and slowly progressing, and that's all that really matters. You may mess up a lift or not always have perfect form, but if you're constantly working to improve, then you're doing it right.
  • Emellon
    Emellon Posts: 36 Member
    I remember feeling like that my first day back at the gym....for about all of 5 minutes.
    Then I just focused on learning to do my circuit training properly. I was too busy trying to remember to keep breathing to worry about what others think. Now that I've got a better handle on it, I just crank up my tunes and get to work and get lost in my own world. Part of what helped me get over it fast is remembering that everyone was new at some point. That, and I have the mindset of 'strangers have no right to judge me, they can get bent'. Then it don't bother me none :tongue:
  • JennieAL
    JennieAL Posts: 1,726 Member
    This is something I wonder about myself... I hate that feeling of being "looked at"... I'm nearly a recluse. So, I lift weights from home.

    Would I have gone to a gym? I almost did. Was very frustrated when I first started out and my husband was not on board with the methods I used. But, I just stuck with my plan and used the weights we had at home. It's working so far.

    Not sure how it would have been in the gym. For me, it matters that I educate myself as much as possible before doing something.... that's just always better. I'd feel much less confident had I not read a lot of stuff and researched the different programs out there. I think there's just gonna be a point where you want to bad enough that you'll be ok with the weird feelings... and just kind of fight through that.

    People will look. And people won't look... you'll just have to decide you want this bad enough no matter if they're looking or not.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    I'm trying to teach my daughter how to ice skate. But I'm a total beginner also. So if I'm willing to get on the ice and look like a newbie on the ice, you ladies can get into the free weight side and start pumping some iron
  • jamiesadler
    jamiesadler Posts: 634 Member
    I felt like that as well so my best advise is just screw what anyone else thinks. Ignore them. I know its difficult but it works and it gets easier.
  • chgn4me
    chgn4me Posts: 28 Member
    Thanks everyone for the answers! They have been great! I do have a plan I am following, plus I do have a meeting with the trainer on Wednesday. Hopefully she will give me a lot of good knowledge.
  • ginamcoyle
    ginamcoyle Posts: 70
    At least you actually worked up the courage to try, I am so nervous to even attempt I feel like veryone will be staring at me and I feel like I have no idea what I am doing.
  • yesthistime
    yesthistime Posts: 2,051 Member
    Women strength training groups you may like:

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/771-women-strength-training
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3772-women-beginner-strength-training
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/102-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-nrol4w
  • NancyNiles
    NancyNiles Posts: 145 Member
    I am going to suggest you read this article:

    http://nerdfitness.com/blog/2010/08/09/infiltrating-the-empire-how-to-workout-properly-in-a-commercial-gym/

    And know you don't have to go to a gym to get strength training. However, if you have the membership you probably want to use it. For other strength training I would suggest you check out:

    www.bodyrock.tv

    You're my new bestie... I loved that article. I got the NROL4W book and have been procrastinating on getting out of the circuit room with the other fat ladies and moving out to the free weights. I'm fat and 40-yo and I just knew I was going to look friggin' ridiculous. I appreciate you posting that article.
  • 1natacha
    1natacha Posts: 14
    I had to start somewhere (I knew nothing) and with the soreness I feel afterwards--I'd say it's right where I need to be.
  • 1natacha
    1natacha Posts: 14
    Does you gym offer weight lifting classes? I take bodypump. I stand in the back. It really helps.

    If the BodyPump you do is anything like the aerobics class they do at the gym here with the Barbie weights, it's not weightlifting. That's still cardio.

    I'm responding to this statement. Thanks for the tip on the book you mentioned. I will be looking into that.
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