What is your advice for someone who is new to the gym and feels timid/awkward around other men? Are there certain excercises I should start with?

WhiteBoyChill

Just went to the gym for the first time in 2 years yesterday.

I wasn’t super into it but I feel like the potential is there if I find ways to make it work. I stayed for just over 30 minutes.

I did fairly ok all things considered. I mainly just ducked in the corner and tried to stay away from everyone. I was trying to take things slow and concentrate on the motions I was making and I felt challenged enough by even just the second bracket of weights (30lbs) on the machines.

But I was still just letting things get in my head. College gyms are different. There’s a lot more noise. They’re filled with dozens of seriously athletic people. It gets intimidating.

Whereas back during my time at planet fitness it was mainly just working adults that were trying to get in shape.

So I had all these thoughts about “oh gee I really don’t want to bother the guys over there” or “it’ll be super embarrassing if they see that I don’t know what I’m doing”. Or “It’ll be super uncomfortable if I get near that many people”.

So there definitely is some anxiety I have toward the situation but I figure maybe if I had more confidence in my own workout regiment, these things wouldn’t bother me as much.

Either way I’m still feeling a little sore from yesterday, so I decided to take the day off today, even though I still could’ve gone I just wanted to be a little cautious.

I figure for now I just need to take things slow and give it no more than 3 days a week. But I’m open to suggestions.

I’m not looking to puke my guts out just yet but I’d just like to find small ways I could build confidence and comfort.

And if there’s anything else I should be doing outside of the gym like vitamins, energy drinks or certain diets I’m open to that as well.

But I’m mainly just looking to keep my momentum going.

I’ve reached a point in my life where I’ve decided there’s more to experience than just mere survival. Why stop short when I can achieve bigger things?

What is your advice for someone who is new to the gym and feels timid/awkward around other men? Are there certain excercises I should start with?
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