this is ridiculous but is anyone else uncomfortable at the gym?

[smallmovesal]

i still have trouble being comfortable at the gym. the best thing would be to have someone who knew their stuff with me so i don't have to try new excercises by myself and stuff. i know this is stupid but i really am damn afraid of the smith machine and i don't want to do deadlifts in front of other people until i know what i'm doing...

isn't this silly?

 

[Phemomena]

not ridiculous, everyone has to start somewhere...

rather than wondering around lost, go find the best looking guy who has the best form in the gym and go ask him if you can work in with him... or you can just go the easy way out and get a trainer for a few weeks who can show you the ropes... make sure you watch the trainers at your gym and choose one who's style you like and you feel you can learn the most from

 

[KBgrl]

ok.. i have one question.. its a serious one and it is not meant to be offensive or sarcastic be any means.. ok so here goes. ya know under all our names.. it says..novice..pro body builder, olympian..etc.. is that ur fitness level or like how many posts u have or something cause im confused... ur afraid of the smith machine but ur an olympian? ok.. now to address ur question.. YES i feel weird when i have to do deadlifts. almost every time i start my deadlifts.. some perv just so happens to get on the machine behind me i can see them checking my ass out through the mirror. it makes me feel sooo uncomfortable but i dont want them to think they intimidate me so i keep on doin my thang. i agree w/ phem.. find a hottie, play "girl" this way u can learn ur what u need to know any get to know a damn hottie too!!!. if u feel more comfortable asking another woman who knows what they are doing do that then...either way just keep going and try not to let anyone or anything intimidate u. people can pick up on when someone feels uncomfortable.. walk around like u own the place

 

[Phemomena]

kb- the title under your name has to do with your posts... i can't remember the exact ranges, but i made PRO yesterday !!

 

[KBgrl]

kb- the title under your name has to do with your posts... i can't remember the exact ranges, but i made PRO yesterday !!

OOOOOOHHHH that stinks.. and all this time i thought it meant peeps fitness levels. my goodness... was i ever misguided hey hey..my hardcore buddy made it to the pros.. congrats luv!!! im still a stinky little... i dont know.. what does it say under my name.. ahhh whatever!! im upset now

 

[Phemomena]

ahhh stop your whining... go bump a few hundred posts or something

 

[KBgrl]

ahhh stop your whining... go bump a few hundred posts or something

LMAO.. ur an ass!!! ahhhhh but an alright ass in my book, LOL.. good advice BTW.. im startin my bumps now

 

[new@gettinbig]

I would find yourself a good trainer to work with for a while. So you learn technique and some different workouts you can use. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing or thinking.....Just be concerned about learning how to lift properly and effectively!

 

[target]

The gym is an awkward place for me too! All the machines are a pain in the ass to get on, I look like a doofus but thats life, the only thing I do stay away from is free weights I feel dumb up against the men but my husband helps with weights at home and as soon as Im comfotable Ill be right next to them. Once you get comfy you'll tear shit up!

 

[Phemomena]

The gym is an awkward place for me too! All the machines are a pain in the ass to get on, I look like a doofus but thats life, the only thing I do stay away from is free weights I feel dumb up against the men but my husband helps with weights at home and as soon as Im comfotable Ill be right next to them. Once you get comfy you'll tear shit up!

you're really limiting yourself there, ask someone who has good form or hire a trainer to show you a few free weight exercises... free weights are far superior to most machines.. you'll use more muscle fibre and build a much more solid base with the db/bb...

i strongly encourage all new to the gym (and in good health) to jump into the free weight from the beginning (with strict form)... that's where you'll see the most gains and make the most progress...

 

[keiko]

I practiced my deadlift form at home with a broom for a while before I tried it out at the gym. I still go through a practice lift or two before I pick up the bar to make sure I have my grip right.

The smith machine shouldn't faze you too much--after all, it's only a way station to real squats.

 

[X.X]

LOL. About the dead lifts - I do them all the time, BUT (no pun intended) I like to make sure my rump is facing the wall. I don't want my ass right there in the middle of this small weight room with only me and 15 other guys. Not that they care, but I feel a little exposed. I do feel a little uncomfortable sometimes, but I tell myself "f*ck it". I'm doing what I need to do for me.

 

[flex4life]

There is nothing like lifting free weights to give a woman a feeling of empowerment & confidence - lifting real iron, instead of machines. In addition to building hard, solid muscle, free weight training utilizes the stabilizer muscles- not really trained when on machines (the machine is actually holding the weight).
It is likely there is a woman in there who would love to help out w/ form. Perhaps choosing a quieter time in the gym when not so crowded to enter for the first few times- although there should never be any shame in learning. Personal trainers- who look like they know the proper techniques- would be a great start.
There is an 'energy' in the free weight room that does not seem to exist elsewhere in the gym. It's fun to be a part of it. Please, join in!

 

[strongchick]

The guys at my new gym are mostly gay. Do you think they are looking at MY ass when I do deadlifts?

 

[ann]

probably just wishing theirs looked as good as yours

 

[Sassy69]

Phem & new@ are right on - spend some time w/ a trainer to get the right form, practice it s alittle so you get the feel and then just go do. Funny thing is, you start noticeing how so many of the other people in the gym act like they know what they are doing but they don't have a clue! Esp the big guys who grunt and groan and swing the dumbbells around - they're just aching for some time w/ a physical therapist after that last sloppy set.

Bottom line - its strict form first, then once you are comfortable w/ that, its all attitude baby!

 

[natglutes]

Small you are cute lol.........I'm sure all of us felt the same way at some point or another. I strongly believe in hiring a good certified personal trainer, especially if you are a beginner.
You will gain more confidence and knowledge, or if you cant afford one, read fitness books or mags, or get a workout buddy . As far as feeling uncomfortable performing certain exercises such as DeadLifts(my fav)
don't, you are there for one reason only...
Yes some men will find it arousing as you lift your gluteus up and down but majority of hardcore BB are too busy working out...stick that ass
DeadLifts are the best!!!

 

[jazziemel]

I don't want to sound conceded or anything, but I usually have men and women asking me how to's in the gym. The trainers there have no clue, but are paid a lot of money. I rarely use machines, I feel free weights are better even if you are a beginner. I'm very comfortable in my gym, I get the perverts too, and a few women hit on me too, I guess it mean I look good. If you are a women and you are afraid, get a partner , I prefer to workout alone, because some people tend to talk too much, and lift less. I think machines are a waste of time, the machine is doing the work for, you will never learn proper form or ROM if you continue to use machines. Don't be scared to ask.

 

[smallmovesal]

heehee thanks. i'd like to hire a personal trainer but the funds just might not be there... well, even if i got one to go through my workout with me for a few days it might be worth it... but otherwise, i've started collecting oxygen magazine and it is a great source for pumping me up and giving really good info. unfortunately i have no one knowlegable to be my partner and when i move for sure no one.

good idea with the broom keiko - i think i'll try that! i don't care if my ass is getting stared at as much as if i have a clue how to do the excercise and have good form...

i have no problem with dumbells at the gym... i'd like to brag here... and this is coming from a skinny twig... heehee but i did a pyramid of the one arm row the other day and i made it up to 30 lbs! yay!

here is my silly little arm from a month or so ago (bad pic but you'll see how skinny it is):

 

[natglutes]

Small, that's the spirit, btw you have some muscle going on there
Oxygen is a great mag...........also Muscle and FitnessHers.

 

[b fold the truth]

I remember when I started in the gym. I had the heart...but not the know how or the body. Was sick at the time. 6'2", 152lbs...and a naturally big framed kid. People laughed at me when I worked out because I killed myself doing all the exercises that everyone else was afraid to do. I remember those 220lb monsters laughing at me when I was going to failure on squats every week. What was a little punk like me killing myself for? Because I had a goal in my mind and nothing could stop me...not even the people staring or laughing at me.

I look at the same 220lb guys now..now that I weigh close to 290...and laugh at them inside.

Once I got bigger and stronger, people would stare at me again in the gym. They thought that I was crazy for working out so hard. I'd bang my forehead agaisnt the squat bar till blood ran down my face before a set of heavy squats. It was just my intensity. I got to where I started wearing long sleeves in the gym and longer shorts so people would not stare at my legs or anything else. Flannel became my friend. Funny...the one time in a million when I'd go in the back room and strip down to my short shorts...people would come back there in amazament and look at my legs..saying "man...your legs don't look near that big or lean when you are wearing longer shorts." I just laugh...

Keep working girl...pay no mind to others in the gym. Keep your mind in the gym...that's where it belongs.

Good luck

B True

 

[americkan woman]

You can do it, small. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of variations on the deadlift---know which style you want to use, learn the form, and practice using no weight. Put plates on gradually over the first several weeks and if you get into some heavy lifting, you will be amazed at how quickly you can put some mass on that frame of yours. Uma would be scared of you!

 

[strongchick]

fear of gyms is why...Women's Workout World came to be....pink dumbells and vinyl and all!

Speaking of which...did you ever go into a Women's Workout World and they had that nasty yellow lump of rubber that represented a pound fat on a woman's rump? Pink vinyl to the rescue!!

 

[poohbear]

Worried about other's looking at your butt? It sounds like you're talking about stiff leg deadlifts. You can put your rump towards the wall, but you have to be careful at what type of top you're wearing that day. Your melons might get the attention of others.

Most gyms usually offer a free tour of the machines. Unfortunately, you don't get the same offer for free weights. Take a muscle toning (aerobics) class that utilize free (light) weights. You'll be able to learn proper form on some moves in there.

On stiff leg deads, make sure that you don't lock your knees. That'll only cause you to loose blood circulation to the lower legs and you'd probably fall (loose balance). Abs nice and tight, shoulders back and slightly down, and chest out. Try not to round your back when you go down. Focus on proper form and not the guy checking out your bum.

Regular deads require more patience to master. Powerlifters will show (tell) you to spread your legs as wide as you can. You might see them do that because they want a really short range of motion coming up for the lift. Since you're not power lifting, it's best to utilize the greatest range of motion that you can possible get. Start of with a naked bar. Legs shoulder (or slight farther) width apart. Use an under/over grip outside of the legs. Abs tight, shoulder back and slightly down, chest slightly out. It's like standing to attention. Look forward or slightly up. Keep bar close to you and lift straight up. I use talc powder on my thighs and knees so that I don't get a rug burn from the heavy weight. I would expand more on the form, but I can't even try it right now, because I'm 9 mos pregnant.

Do ask others for training tips, but check out their form. Even the handsome ones don't know what they're doing and will never admit to it. Just think if the movement looks natural. Is the joint suppose to move that way? Why is he arching his back like that? Are you suppose to lift your tail on the bench? What muscle is he working?....

good luck

 

[absolute hardgainer]

Now, as a guy I felt I just had to respond to this thread...

A few weeks ago, whilst in the gym, a woman who was new had apparent difficulties, similar to the ones you described small. She didn't know how to use some of the machines and she seemed quite uncomfortable.

I could see at a glance that she could use some help with getting started on some of the exercises, but I didn't want to go over there and offer assistance just yet, seeing that she seemed quite self-conscious and perhaps even embarrassed.

Anyway, the ice kind of broke by itself when she dropped an EZY bar making a loud noise. I looked over to her, with a smile and she looked back embarrassed so I just said: "Hi, are you all right there...?" and she said: "Actually, can you show me how to do this...ahhh french press... ahh?"

Needless to say I was over there without a second to loose, I took her through her entire routine and even spend 30 minutes longer in the gym. Now - before anyone starts thinking, no, I did NOT hit on her or act like she didn't know what she was doing in any condescending, patronizing way. I was just happy I could be of assistance.

So what? Well, I think most guys, even gay ones, would be more than happy to give you a hand. I don't think I would ever not help somebody out in the gym who asked me, unless I wasn't able to.

So, I'd say you should listen to Phenomena and do exactly that. Ask a guy for help, not every guy will necessarily come up to you and offer his assistance - some of us are kind of shy in that department. Especially since a lot of people don't like being helped or offered advice. Ask a guy to give you a hand, and I bet he'll give you an arm and a leg and whatever else, too. And if he turns out to be a jerk you can still tell him to buzz off later.

hardgainer (just my two cents)

 

[poohbear]

Hardgainer,

You're a true gentleman.

 

[tripleV]

I feel this way sometimes too which is why I wear a ca and noone can really see my face. hee hee plus I wear a walkman just in case anyone feels they want to talk and I don't.
I had once posted to try and find a workout partner in my area but to no avail. I thought it would be motivating to work out with another strong chick, instead of my husband....not the same!

 

[absolute hardgainer]

Thank you, poohbear.

hardgainer (I try)

 

[dieslgrl]

find yourself

I suggest either find yourself a buff (and cute) guy to show you around... OR (I like the 2nd suggestion better) JUST DO IT!! who gives a damn if anyone would have a different opinion of you for how you look doing squats... Get down and dirty with the gym... get in there during slow times, and do all the things that make you feel funny... then eventually get in there during the busiest times and BE CONFIDENT!! If you are screwing up, someone who really cares and knows their shit will help... or just ask a trainer if you don't have a clue... Even if you have to *act* confident at first, the circle will continue, and you will eventually LOVE working out and proud of all that you do in the gym... who gives a shit?! at least your not at home eating potato chips... right?

Good luck and keep that head up!

Dieslgrl

 

[LeviathanX]

This might sound inconsiderate, but I don't think you should interrupt someone in the middle of their workout for advice. Interrupt them when they go for a drink of water or something, and try to be succint in your questions. I'd be more than happy to help out someone in the gym who has a question, but it is annoying to have people come up to you a couple of times during a workout asking some question where you know you have to go over and show them the in's and out's.

 

[FitFossil]

Yes, I used to feel uncomfortable too - even when I was just doing cardio!

I hired a personal trainer, and that made me feel better because I knew I wouldn't end up doing something weird, backwards, or injuring myself. So, when it was time to go it alone, I knew my way around and felt more comfortable. Also, I kept on reading and learning, and that helped too.

Most people in the gym are too busy thinking about themselves to worry about other people. This is true about most situations in life. That is EXCEPT if you happen to run into ME!! I notice everything (gotta do something for entertainment during cardio)

But don't worry, I'll never laugh or point my finger. I'm sure plenty of people watch me and think "weird chick" for something I might be doing, but I don't give a flip. I paid my money to be there just like everyone else.