Okay, looking for advice, quite a long post so apologies in advice.
I'm in my early 20s, 6ft and 72kg. I've used gyms before (a few years ago now) but just for cardio and resistance. Had a bench at home which I used regularly but then stopped entirely about a year ago. I was up to nearly 80kg at that point.
Since then I haven't done much at all. I've always read forums and researched about this kind of thing, so I know all about free-weights being better, eating right, resting right, good workout plans, etc, etc. All the theory, basically.
But it's the practice that I struggle with. I'm pretty slim, and I feel a bit intimidated in the gym when there are big guys there, like they are probably thinking I'm an idiot and weak, because I can't lift much and maybe my form is rubbish.
The thing is, I don't really know if it is or not. I've never known anybody that lifted so even though I know things like, squatting is important, I don't have any idea how to do it in a gym, and if I did I'd be a bit scared to do it for the above reasons.
I'm not sure if I'm asking anything specific really, apart from general advice. Is there anything I should avoid doing that would make me look REALLY stupid? How do I go setting up barbells for benching and squatting and so forth in a gym? I've done it at home but never in a gym and I feel like if I do, people will be looking at me or I'll be doing it wrong and stuff.
I think you've built it up too much, people don't usually pay attention to what others are doing so you shouldn't really be intimidated at all. Just go at your own pace and don't try to overstretch yourself at all...
I'm pretty slim, and I feel a bit intimidated in the gym when there are big guys there, like they are probably thinking I'm an idiot and weak, because I can't lift much and maybe my form is rubbish.
They probably do, I do sometimes think in my head - jesus what is that fool doing benching 40kg. But, it is not like they, or I, will be beating you up or laugh at you in your face or have a go. Man up or GTFO.
Thing is, no ones ever going to say anything unless it looks like you're going to hurt yourself ...
They always do those gym initiation things with a trainer? Although quite a few trainers talk crap, it may make you feel more comfortable in there, atleast you'll have a friendly face to see when you pop in!
Id say start going at a time when its relatively quiet, like really late in the evening so you don't feel as conscious about everyone else. Can't you get one of the staff at the gym to show you how to set everything up that you want? That's what I do, im sure they've all had to give gym inductions, all you have to do is ask them once and then you should know, thats what they're there for. Ignore everyone else, no one's going to remember you (especially if you don't go at regular times!) they're all in their fitness zone. Don't worry about it, once you get used to it you'll be fine
Okay, looking for advice, quite a long post so apologies in advice.
I'm in my early 20s, 6ft and 72kg. I've used gyms before (a few years ago now) but just for cardio and resistance. Had a bench at home which I used regularly but then stopped entirely about a year ago. I was up to nearly 80kg at that point.
Since then I haven't done much at all. I've always read forums and researched about this kind of thing, so I know all about free-weights being better, eating right, resting right, good workout plans, etc, etc. All the theory, basically.
But it's the practice that I struggle with. I'm pretty slim, and I feel a bit intimidated in the gym when there are big guys there, like they are probably thinking I'm an idiot and weak, because I can't lift much and maybe my form is rubbish.
The thing is, I don't really know if it is or not. I've never known anybody that lifted so even though I know things like, squatting is important, I don't have any idea how to do it in a gym, and if I did I'd be a bit scared to do it for the above reasons.
I'm not sure if I'm asking anything specific really, apart from general advice. Is there anything I should avoid doing that would make me look REALLY stupid? How do I go setting up barbells for benching and squatting and so forth in a gym? I've done it at home but never in a gym and I feel like if I do, people will be looking at me or I'll be doing it wrong and stuff.
General gym etiquette is that you dont stare at others and they wont stare at you. Just do your thing, people really dont mind. In my experience whenever im doing something slightly wrong (which never happens by the way lol) someone will just come over and give me a few pointers. Just do your thing and dont worry - no-one will judge.
Also, being in the gym is an awesome way learn new exercises and stuff from other people. See someone that looks like they know what you're doing, see what they do.
They probably do, I do sometimes think in my head - jesus what is that fool doing benching 40kg. But, it is not like they, or I, will be beating you up or laugh at you in your face or have a go. Man up or GTFO.
Yeah I do criticise what people do in my head as well (and no doubt people do the same with me).
Like these two guys that have just joined up, skinny as you like, walking round the gym with some Men's Health like mag and copying excercises out of it ... like OH squat and snatches etc. Terrible form and way too inexperienced for those imo (I've never seen anyone else do either lol in the gyms I go).
But yeah, generally I don't care what people are lifting or doing as long as it's sensible.
It isn't like a waiting room where everyone looks over and analyses everyone else. People are usually wound up in their own regimes as working out effectively has a strong mental element to it.
The big guys are hardly going to poke fun at you and bully you out. If they are, then I guess you're going to a lifters' gym which you shouldn't be. If it's just a normal one then there will be built guys as well as skinny one, and obviously overweight people too.
Realise that the world doesn't revolve around you and frankly nobody cares what you're doing as long as you aren't getting in their way. And the big guys obviously started somewhere so remember that.
I'm 5'11" and real slim, like incredibly weak, I felt awful about doing everything the first time, just felt really embarassed because I was lifting/pressing etc the little stuff. I found it a lot easier when I went along with mates, but you're right it is a little intimidating. But really why are you going, to improve yourself, to get fitter, bigger, stronger. You can only so it if you go regularly enough, and by going regularly enough, you'll build confidence. Don't worry about the crazy ripped blokes...
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Re: New to gym - intimidated
Originally Posted by tomtomtomtom
I'm pretty slim, and I feel a bit intimidated in the gym when there are big guys there, like they are probably thinking I'm an idiot and weak, because I can't lift much and maybe my form is rubbish.
Unless you're doing something to distract me (ie; dropping the weights and making a lot of noise) or piss me off (ie; leave the equipment in a mess) I couldn't care less what you do. Sure if people are doing stupid things I'll subconsciously think 'muppet' but apart from that there's nothing to fear.
I'm not sure if I'm asking anything specific really, apart from general advice. Is there anything I should avoid doing that would make me look REALLY stupid?
How do I go setting up barbells for benching and squatting and so forth in a gym? I've done it at home but never in a gym and I feel like if I do, people will be looking at me or I'll be doing it wrong and stuff.
Yes - not asking people in the gym for help.
Nobody in a gym is watching you critically, judging you on how much you can lift, although I know it feels like that when you're new - you get very self conscious etc.
Most people in the gym, ok they might look intimidating, are only too happy to help our or show you the ropes. Especially to a novice.
Stop fretting so much, get lifting and talking to people and asking for pointers.
Just start with the little ones and do it at your own pace after all rome wasn't built in one day......the most important thing is the movement and how you execute it not the weight!....stimulate not annihilate
Okay, looking for advice, quite a long post so apologies in advice.
I'm in my early 20s, 6ft and 72kg. I've used gyms before (a few years ago now) but just for cardio and resistance. Had a bench at home which I used regularly but then stopped entirely about a year ago. I was up to nearly 80kg at that point.
Since then I haven't done much at all. I've always read forums and researched about this kind of thing, so I know all about free-weights being better, eating right, resting right, good workout plans, etc, etc. All the theory, basically.
But it's the practice that I struggle with. I'm pretty slim, and I feel a bit intimidated in the gym when there are big guys there, like they are probably thinking I'm an idiot and weak, because I can't lift much and maybe my form is rubbish.
The thing is, I don't really know if it is or not. I've never known anybody that lifted so even though I know things like, squatting is important, I don't have any idea how to do it in a gym, and if I did I'd be a bit scared to do it for the above reasons.
I'm not sure if I'm asking anything specific really, apart from general advice. Is there anything I should avoid doing that would make me look REALLY stupid? How do I go setting up barbells for benching and squatting and so forth in a gym? I've done it at home but never in a gym and I feel like if I do, people will be looking at me or I'll be doing it wrong and stuff.
No one will laugh at you, i hope not anyways. Everyone starts off somewhere and besides when i usually see someone who doing exercises completely wrong which can seriously injured themselves. I would love to give a helping hand but then it goes saying, they may not want my help hence in the gym, majority of the people mind their own business and concentrate solely on their own workout.
Some go to the club for different reasons, workout and get lean mean or some just check others out and go on a pull if necessary. Silly but true..
There are sites to help you how to do exercises and in correct form. Especially rowing machines, people arch their back when they pull out. Your not the first and certainly not the last, so don't mind.
Does this intimidation thing apply to girls too? If a very small and weak girl was doing 15 kg on weight machines would she be thought of as a weak fool?
Does this intimidation thing apply to girls too? If a very small and weak girl was doing 15 kg on weight machines would she be thought of as a weak fool?
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New to gym - intimidated
lol) someone will just come over and give me a few pointers. Just do your thing and dont worry - no-one will judge.
and frankly nobody cares what you're doing as long as you aren't getting in their way. And the big guys obviously started somewhere so remember that.
