How many of you are embarrassed or afraid of going to the gym?

[Anonymous]

Answer the poll! :)

I for one am kinda embarrassed when I go to the gym. I feel awkward there, especially when I'm taking a break or trying to figure out what to do next. I'm not in bad shape or anything. But I don't have much muscle at all, and that also makes me feel self-conscious. And plus, most of the time when I go to the gym solely to work out, it's with my dad cause that's the only way I can go (and plus I think it makes him happy to spend some father-son time with me), and for some reason that also makes me feel embarrassed. (He's in his mid-50s if that provides any context haha.)

What about you guys?

I don't go to the gym much because I feel self-conscious

I don't go to the gym much because it intimidates me

I go to the gym but I still feel self-conscious when I do

I go to the gym and I'm happy when I'm there with no reason not to be

Other / see answers

Updates

+1 y

The thing is, it kinda sucks for me, because what I think I need is to build more muscle, but I can't really do that by just doing pushups and ab exercises and dips and stuff like that at home...

Updates

+1 y

It's really cool seeing all your answers. After this question I think I'm starting to figure out how not to be as self-conscious about going to the gym (for any reason)! And for all the people who also feel self-conscious going to the gym or who limit their attendance there for any reason, you should at least try looking through these awesome answers - it definitely helped me. :)

Updates

+1 y

I went to the gym today and worked out with my whole family and wasn't self-conscious at all. All thanks to you guys <3. Thanks erryone :D

[MrEM4N]

Whenever I see someone at the gym that's not in shape the first thing that comes to my head is "Yes! They're finally trying to fix their life!" Americans are collectively too fat as it is and its nice to see people working to change that. I've never once thought to myself "Eww what are you doing here? This place is for beautiful people". The gym is like church: Its there for people who need it.

Now I do crack a smile when I see skinny guys trying to put too much up on the bench or curl more then they can handle. Don't be in a rush to show off your guns. There is always someone stronger than you at the gym. Just focus on doing your thing and doing it the right way.

Also, most gym rats are actually pretty friendly. Why shouldn't we be? We're at home. With exception for the ones who are in the zone and grinding away people that work out and look like they work out are usually pretty passionate about fitness and enjoy sharing that passion with others. I've never had a problem interrupting my sets to stop and talk to someone who is just starting out and wants a few tips.

[Snow123]

Great answer.

[MrNameless]

Nobody cares about how you look, when you're at the gym. Everyone focuses on their workout.

[MrNameless]

By that, I mean.. Don't feel self-conscious. People do their own thing at the gym.

A lot of people go to the gym, and have no clue or real plan on what to do, when they go to lift weights also. So you aren't alone.

If you wanna get strong fast, I recommend Starting Strength. One of THE BEST program for beginniners, that focuses on compound lifts such as bench press, squats, and dead lifts.

[carnations99]

Exactly, what's there to be ashamed of.. we're all there for the same reason.. to workout and get the results we need..

[scnbabe89]

I am fat and my boyfriend has been pushing me to go to the gym for a very long time and I finally went with him and saw that people didn't even look at me they where more concerned about there workouts or how they look. My gym also has a movie theater in it so I can go into the dark and work out where no one sees me, its awesome. Don't worry no one is looking at you. If you want to talk I know a lot about building muscle my brother and boyfriend are both trainers. Are you taking in enough protein? Why you taking any supplements? Have you done research online for some good exercises.

[ZenQueen]

omg a movie theater sounds awesome! plus I hate being seen so the dark is great too. I wonder if there's one where I live..

[scnbabe89]

Ya where are you from? This is club 24 in Southern Connecticut!

[musiclover100]

I'm kind of a gym rat so I'm at my gym pretty often. Most of the time I don't really care nor notice what people around me around doing because I'm too busy doing my thing. Unless you are doing something extreme or annoying like dancing on a treadmill backwards, clanging weights super loud, or trying to keep a conversation going with me I don't notice you. I mainly go because it's great for my physical and psychological well being. Afterwards I feel accomplished, in charge of my life, and unstressed so I definitely don't plan on giving the gym up or anything.

[MrNameless]

I don't enjoy clanging weights super loud, when I do deadlifts. But I don't have much of a choice. When you go heavy, you have to drop it, or you'll risk ***ing up your back.

[musiclover100]

Yeah, I know. In those situations it's fine but I don't like when people clang them just to clang, you know?

[FutterwackenMcSappin]

To build muscle you have to lift heavy. And that is where your dad comes in; he can spot you.

As for the father/son time; you're right. He does like it otherwise he'd just drop you off.

And as for your outlook about not having "enough" muscle; You're worrying about the wrong thing. 1.) no one is checking you out THAT intensely. Judging you, as it were. The workout is ALL about self. "Thou shalt never come before me in the gym." lol

2.) if someone is looking your way it is probably because they are trying really hard NOT to offer you advise on what else you could do to get better results. (this is more common than you could dream, because everyone wants to offer advice to young people)

3.) Talk to your Pop. You couldn't get a better chance to talk to him about any ol' thing; "guy stuff" as it were. I'd trade places with you in a heartbeat if I had had that opportunity.

[Asker]

I appreciate the answer.

1) Yes, but for some reason I still do feel self-conscious :S. As if I don't belong there, yknow?

2) People don't even look at me haha. But again, there's still something that makes me feel self-conscious. Maybe the fact that I'm using equipment that other people could be using, or maybe because I'm not good at what I'm doing and I find that embarrassing.

3) Meh, he's very awkward to talk to. You'd know if you were in my spot lol. My brothers know it too haha.

[Asker]

I keep the "guy stuff" to me and my brother :P.

My dad... doesn't drink (not necessarily a bad thing though), works most of the time so I don't see him much (and even when I do see him we don't really talk other than small talk), never really dated in his life (according to my parents, he proposed to my mom on their first date... "love at first sight" sort of thing... not that I believe in love at first sight)... so yeah, he's very awkward to talk to haha. But I don't mind spending time with him.

[FutterwackenMcSappin]

Yeah, the way you put it your ol' man sounds like a dead end. You should ditch him as a gym-homie. Find another ride or get a bike.

Also kid, you have some serious self-confidence issues. lol

I think your brother might be the answer to most of that stuff though. Talk to him. And if you are, then keep talking to him. Even if he doesn't get it right no the money you can still learn something from talking to him.

- Good luck! -

[Asker]

Yeah maybe I can just bus or something. Or even run there for a warmup :P

No, not serious ones. But I do have some, yeah haha. For the most part I'm not too bad though.

[woohoo_friday]

Yeah... no. I'm far too self-conscious to go to a gym. I always feel like everyone is staring at me (not in a "she's so hot" way, but in a "I have a bit of social anxiety and when I'm in a totally new situation, I feel like everyone is judging me" kind of way, haha), I don't know how anything works, and in those kinds of situations I get embarrassed easily. So I just avoid them altogether, haha

I get my physical exercise elsewhere and I honestly don't feel like I'm losing out or suffering in any way because of it. :-)

[Anonymous]

Last time I went to the gym I was working on my legs and thighs like toning them working out bench and It required me to lay down. When I was finish I opened my eyes and a dyke was standing over me and she asked if I needed a hand with a smile on her face. I politely said excuse me and left for home Lol. Never went back to that specific gym. ha ha I like going but one thing I hate is when people step into your personal space and that grossed me the fxck out so I put on less tight fitting clothes which is bothersome when I do cardio but I figure I will live Lol

[GymStatus]

dang lol

[Asker]

I can see how that could be a bit creepy, but you should try to avoid using the word "dyke" cause it can be pretty offensive to people. Unless you really are a homophobe, in which case there are probably still other ways to state your opinion. By the way, that woman might not have been creeping on you and might actually have been wanting to help because it can be useful to have a spot when you're doing benchpress.

If that's your main issue with the gym, you should go at a less busy time.

[Opinion Owner]

she wasn't offering a helping hand I wasn't benching anything. Said I was working on my thighs. A machine like this doesn't require a helping hand. link Another thing is that I'm not ah homophobe but that's the only word to describe her without typing a paragraph besides butch. Or do you have an issue with that too? that's like a bum on the street getting upset that you called them a bum and the only other word is derelict.

[Opinion Owner]

Or how a lesbian might not like being called that. it just is what it is and there is no offense intended. It may sound harsh but it is a harsh world and I'm not thinking to be sensitive to others when I'm not even thinking to offend someone. I almost like you sifted through the paragraph once more over to find something offensive in how I answered

[Asker]

Oh kk I didn't realize you weren't bench pressing, nvm haha. So again, you had reason to be creeped out. But lololol no I wasn't looking through your response to find something to find offensive. Right when I saw the word "dyke" I knew it was an offensive word. It's the same as "f**". And hahaha you could easily call the hypothetical "bum" a "homeless man". For the sake of argument I looked at your profile pic right now and saw you were black... it's like me calling you a "n*****". No offense.

[Opinion Owner]

no its not because I'm dominican so your an ass and that's not hypothetical

[Asker]

Looooool. You should know that I'm not mad right now... it seems like this whole time you've been getting mad at my comments when really I was just trying to have a discussion.

Your skin color is black. Or, if you wanted to call yourself Hispanic, I could change my analogy to say that you're a "spic". And honestly I'm not trying to be offensive. I would never actually use words like that. I'm just saying, you could have called the woman a lesbian instead of a dyke.

[Anonymous]

I use to go. I have to get my membership back... stopped going.got to busy. I go/went to a 24/7 hours gym so I go early in the morning (yes less people). I wouldn't worry about it I am not in the perfect shape. But I think what do they expect. That is the point of me coming to the gym. Not every one in the gym is going to be toned and ripped, that is the point of the gym. Though you don't have to be toned and ripped when you go to a gym it's about being healthy. I also go to a women gym so that makes my feel less self-conscious.

[kambo_trick3y]

Don't worry about it my man, any self respecting guy will know that you don't measure a man by his strength so much as you do his willpower. You're there to get stronger, not to get anyone's approval.

Plus, it's good that your dad wants to spend time with you, trust me when I tell you as you get older you'll wish you had spent more.

Also, little tip for the future, there are few things as charming to a girl than a muscular guy who appreciates and cares for his parents. Trust me on this one.

[calialltheway1993]

Nah I feel great after a workout. Don't feel embarrassed, you should be proud of what you have accomplished, and will accomplish by working out and building muscles. Don't let your dad get in your way. I don't understand why you're ashamed of your own father. He is there with you as a friend and a partner.

[Asker]

I'm definitely not ashamed of my dad! But I do feel embarrassed to be there working out with him. But I am starting to feel better about working out and I do feel like even if I go with him I'll be able to do it without feeling as self-conscious about anything.

[green_eyed_monster]

I feel great when I go to the Gym. I have always been in sports and an athlete. So I am confident at the Gym. Everyone is there for different reasons, either for their health, losing weight, gaining weight, maintaining weight, or just simply staying in shape. Everyone is built differently and no one should have to feel like they don't belong there. The Gym is for everyone of every body type. That's what they are there for.

[may04]

I was mostly scared of the weight room. I didn't know how to use the machines and had no idea what effective workouts were. I got a personal trainer for a few sessions an now I feel like I can do stuff myself.

In your case maybe look up some workout routines ahead of time, so that way you'll know what you want to do before you get there. And don't worry about taking breaks, no one will be paying that close attention to you

[shenholds09]

Im happy when I go to the gym. Yeah, there are a lot of people that CAN be judgmental when you go there, but most people are there to work out and go home.. you know? So I wouldn't worry about it. I go in, work out and go home feeling much healthier/better emotionally I guess you would say

[jeremy20]

perfect answer...i just listen to my music and am completely oblivious to everyone else's existence lol

[shenholds09]

exactly lol.. the only way I'm really going to notice someone is if I went to school with them or something but I'm still probably not going to speak to them.. just be like OK they are at the gym w/e

[Prof_Don]

What most people must understand is that most people that go to the gym regularly are so focused on their workout (keeping balance, proper form, counting reps, "fighting through the pain", doing mind-muscle-association, etc)...

...that they;re not gonna expel energy to criticize someone else (verbal or behavior-wise).

Once you understand that and fully grip that...you'll be OK and won't be intimidated anymore. 8-)

[ZenQueen]

this is true

[Anonymous]

totally, me too... I think I am too fat, I don't even like running during the day, I wait til it's dark enough out where no one can see me... or I do work outs in my room... sad I know... I tell myself "once I get fit I will go to the gym". But really, you shouldn't care what people think, it's so cliche, but really, you are there for yourself, not to please others.

[Asker]

The thing is, I have a feeling you'll never be fit enough for your own standards to let yourself go to the gym. I know I'm not unfit, I'm just too weak, but even if I got stronger, there would still be a few people at the gym who'd look better/stronger than me (even if I went at an hour when it isn't busy), and that'd make me feel self conscious. I think what people (including you and me) need to do is just get over it and go to the gym and just try to be the best we can without any standards.

[Ms_December]

I don't go to the gym because I don't like when people see me all sweaty and sometimes workouts can be strenuous and I really don't want to fart at the gym. Its just a lose lose situation, that's why I bought a treadmill. Ha!

[thisislifebaby]

I like going to the gym, because it is a place meant for exercise and everyone is doing their own thing but I hate going for runs/ jogs because it is usually in a place where majority of people aren't exercising.

[zin93224]

i know this is insane but it works for me, I have a half time pass for days I don't feel so great but have to work out at my moms gym lol

and when I'm feeling on top of my game I go to LA fitness with all the juice heads haha!

[Anonymous]

I get muscles from the gym

I get muscles when I win

I get muscles from the home

I get muscles when all alone

I get muscles on the street

I get muscles to the beat

I get muscles when they're looking

I get muscles when I'm cooking

[Asker]

Did you make that up yourself just for this question...? A quick google search yielded nothing :P

[Seashell73]

GO AHEAD MUSCLES!

[PoeticNinja]

I am self conscious when going to the gym that's why I go to a 24/7 fitness center. I go in there mostly at night or very early in the morning. Less to no people around.

[UberTroll]

Other. I don't go to the gym but it's not because I feel embarrassed about it. I used to go to the gym and I never really thought much of it, I just minded my own business and did my thing.

[islands7]

There are better, more fun things to do than a gym

SWIMMING

GOLF

TENNIS

SAILING

HORSES (OK, not for me anymore - ugh)

CROSS COUNTRY running/skiing

BUILDING

DANCING

[Anonymous]

I enjoy going to the gym and I feel great when I go.. I rarely if every pay attention to others.. everyone is there to get in shape. and some of us set weight goals for ourselves so I enjoy going.. If you don't have muscles so what that's why you go so you can build muscles...

[Seashell73]

Haven't been in awhile, but I am very content to be able to work out and sweat.