Ugh! This is so me at the gym too! Hence why I don't go often.
I don't mind going on a treadmill or working out on some of the other machines. But when it comes to the weights, I get so intimidated.
Sometimes people are not so nice at the gym. I've had a few bad experiences. From people giving me dirty looks to being territorial over machines. This one time I was trying to do a circuit, and this guy was working out on a different machine. He kept going to the machine that I would have gone on next. So I started going to another machine to keep my circuit going. He then told me that he was actually using the machine I was starting on. And so I went to another machine. As soon as I went to another machine, he left that machine I wanted to go on and went back to his 'rest'. Which he was resting on another piece of equipment. So he was taking up 2 pieces of equipment while not even exercising! I swear he took a 30 minute break between each set.
I was so frustrated!
I guess the only way you can get over it is to realize that as a member of the gym, you have equal right to all the equipment. Don't let anyone bully you. Complain to the manager if you have to if anyone gives you any trouble.
I bring an ipod so that even if people are talking about me, I can't hear them. It also helps me concentrate on my workout.
I can Well Understand how you Might Feel With... Stares from any Man. from Any Man.
I have a Gym in my own Bulding that i really enjoy. I close the door, which Automatically Locks itself, and with Having Been Able to even pull the Curtains for More Privacy... All Good things come to an End, my Friend.
My manager came In the other Day and Said "Hey... The curtains are coming down soon, and New Equipment is coming In."
I was uptight, for Now, I have to be Looked at whenever I work Out... However, I am still Allowed to Keep People Out.
In your sticky Situation here, dear, I know how Awkward That is. I have Gone on Many a Holiday, Worked out in Many a Gym, and with Riding the Bike Mostly, I just Do my own Thing, Not paying Any mind to Anyone at Any time.
You can always bring a Friend if you might, or Just Go Slow with the Flow, start off on apiece of Equipment that You feel Comfy with, Getting Used to This before Going to the 'Weight Section.' Just Wait.
Believe Me... Most of the time, All eyes on are On their Own Work Out and Not... What Everone is About.
Good luck. xx
I have this problem too! It's shit isn't it. I'm a bit overweight with a bmi of 27. I'm quite tall (6'4") which means that I don't look that fat, but I am still apprehensive about it. About 2 years ago I joined the gym and I paid a years subscription up front, which set me back £420. I went for my induction and I didn't see one fat or overweight person. Everyone was super fit which made me feel subconscious about my appearance. I didn't go back there again. I have since started working out at home. I bought the insanity workout dvd's and although I follow the programme, I do it every other day rather than every day. There is a youtube channel called Fitness Blender and I do one of their workouts too.
I can't suggest how to overcome your anxiety at the gym, but be aware that there are other ways of exercising. For me, I think that once I am in good shape I will feel better about going to the gym, but for now I am happy with my current routine. Do you think that you could adopt a home workout in place of going to the gym?
how i think:
I Don't go their to make anyone else happy, i am here to reach my goals and be successful. I know the body i want and i dont give two shits about what you think about the weight i am lifting. I have goals that i am trying to reach and some anxiety is gonna get in my way? NO!!!
(plays this song made by a very successful professional boxer)
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like anything else, you just gotta do it and you will adapt over time.
I recently started doing weights (almost 4 weeks into it) and I hired a personal trainer. Gyms and equipment are so intimidating it feels really great to have someone with you. Even just for a few sessions so you find your feet. After that they are still there at the gym to remind you how to use the equipment, they just won't hang around you and count for you etc
It's what has helped me. You could also take a friend on the arrangement you do a set each then swap and you both work your way through the gym.
Honestly I'm a guy whose put work in for a year. 5 days a week. And whenever I see a girl my age especially. Hitting the gym. Kinda unrelated but it's a turn on. Just the fact that your going I hope makes you feel more confident and proud of yourself. A lot of people the majority don't even go once a week. So congratulations. :) you'll get more accustomed to it. I was the same way. Scrony lanky. But now totally different once I see gains and get used to it. Same applies to you I think. Keep at it I promise Itl get easier
It's temporary. Anxiety is a natural response to an unknown situation. It's what kept us alive before civilization. As soon as your subconscious mind starts recognising the situation as safe you'll relax. The key to your anxiety is plenty of exposure to the situation. You'll be laughing about it in a month
You need to start communicating with others around, so you'll have a confidence boost.
But yeah some people are a pain in ass, so be wise.
You may be thinking about your image in the gym.
Make some friends in there, talk about exercises, talk about your goal.
Stop worrying about others. Start worrying about your body.
I have social anxiety too and when I used to go to the gym I would go with a friend to make it a little less stressful, but if you can't get someone to go with you I'd suggest listening to music and ignoring that other people are there. It will get easier with time, good luck.
Take a deep breath. It's not as scary as your mind is telling you. People don't really pay attention to others, unless you do heavy weights.
You'll look back on this someday and be really happy you started. Don't let anything stop you! ^.^
You just have to do it! I understand how you feel, but you just have to attempt to ignore everyone. It'll get easier and easier eventually, but you have to do things that make you uncomfortable in order to get to the point where its easier.
I used to be the same way, but over time I came to realise no one really cared what I was up to, they were all focused on what they were doing and their workout. So I just focus on me, not everyone else because they're busy doing their own thing not critiquing me. As a good friend once told me, "you're not that important, no one cares :p"
I hired a trainer - not only is he my security blanket and training partner, he sets up my equipment, he works out what my weaknesses are and designs my training to suit me. I've also seen him glaring at guys who stare at me in the gym and now they don't stare lol - I guess not all trainers would do that...
maybe you should take a friend with you? So you feel more comfortable. I had the same problem when I first started going to the gym. I would get too nervous and end up just going on the treadmill until i brought a friend along with me. It really helps a lot (:
I would suggest to wear your headset on and play your favorite music. Be in your zone and don't let this anxiety gets into you. It's your mind stopping your body to get stronger.
I have anxiety with it to. I avoid the peak hours of I can and when I go to the weights I pick a spot at the front so I can't see anyone - I ignore what's behind me and focus on myself and my workout
You're just feeling a bit insecure. You should start doing home workouts and go jogging for the first couple of weeks at least. That will give you a boost, and you'll feel much more confident once you go to the gym.
There will always be someone bigger and stronger than you. If anything that "muscle view" is harder on guys.
As long as you go to the gym and are happy with some results then that's all that matters.
Maybe trying going at a time in which there aren't as many people
If guys are staring too much at you and that's causing anxiety. If you wear make up to the gym, don't. Also no need to wear basically underwear to the gym
I'd say don't be afraid to ask someone for a spot when you need one. It kind of breaks the ice. If you go on a regular schedule, you'll made buddies there and it'll be like seeing the regulars at your favorite bar.
Some people like to workout by themselves individually, this is normal.
You can simply just force yourself not to care about what other people think.
Just know that the people with the ripped muscles, male or female, are typically obsessive about it and honestly... don't know that anyone else in the room besides themselves and the person staring back in the mirror.
Ignore everyone else , I always have & simply concentrate on your own workout / goals. I always have advised guys NEVER to approach women in a gym , as this is the last place any woman wants to be bothered in , a gym is not a social club.
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