| | Going to the gymPage 1 of 1 | | I'm trying to get back into jogging. Last year I was walk/jogging 4 miles a day but I was living in KY and had a local park and jogging buddy. I've recently started the Couch to 5K and the equipment in the hotel I live in is not reliable. I have a gym membership and I don't mind jogging there, but I also like to lift weights and do other exercises. I do these in my room. I'm very intimidated by the guys at the gym in the weight area. I feel as if they look at me like "why are you here"? There is a separate women's area secluded in a room by itself, but I feel like that's where they want to hide the unattractive, big girls. I never felt this way at any of the gyms back home. I feel like I need to get out to the gym to be more sociable too, but maybe I'm just making excuses....should I just overlook the meatheads or just go to my unattractive, big girl room or just stay home?? | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/28/2012 5:31:21 AM | First off, do not allow people to make you feel that way. I highly doubt anyone is staring at you like * why are you here *. Not knowing what is going on through someone's mind is really not something to judge as to why you should go somewhere or not. Most people ( most ) are in a Gym for a reason. Be in it for YOUR reason, no one else's. Sometimes I have a look on my face people probably thing I am mean. I might be wondering * I hope the electric bill made it in time *. Or what I may need to do for the day. Seriously.
Gym's do not hide unattractive big ANYONE. Take a look at how many people who are big/overweight are in Gyms. That is why they are there ( hopefully). And if someone is rude ? Try ignoring them. Not everyone is a meathead. And some who are, are actually very nice. People who have a lot of muscle put a lot of time and dedication into this. It does NOT mean, they are mean people. Some may be. I know some mean overweight people too ! So what? As long as you are nice and polite, does it really matter??
The day anyone would make me feel so intimidated to * stay home * is the day you can slap me silly. Some gyms do have a * ladies side only *. Maybe use that for a while until you are more at ease with using the equipment . But it is NOT for hiding big ugly people. That's absurd. Sometimes there are old ladies, pregnant women or physical therapy patients and that is the side they use. Or some women who do just do not want to deal with the larger size of the gym. Fit or not !!!!
Go to the gym. Dress comfortable, wear shoes that do not hurt your feet and worry about nothing else but why YOU are there. Just like anywhere else. Do you leave a bar or night club worried people may be rude or wondering why you are there? I catch hell sometimes for my *look * and guess what? I smile at people. :)
You also might meet other people there with the same goals. One never knows. I would ignore the below comment. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/28/2012 5:56:29 AM | | im just going to put this out there,, you dont need a gym to run a 5 k or lose wieght. most men i see at the gym are interested in themselves or other men. dont take them seriously, because noone else does. stay away from processed food, start walking again and start believing in yourself. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/28/2012 6:53:58 AM |
I'm very intimidated by the guys at the gym in the weight area. I feel as if they look at me like "why are you here"?
Fuuck 'em ! Sod what they think. I find most of the guys in the gyms I've been to are there to pose not to work out. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/28/2012 7:39:53 AM | I've been going to gyms for 40 years. Never heard anyone question or be negative about anyone as to why they are there. Usually it's 'good for you'.
Any guy looking at you is probably trying to imagine what you look like naked...but that would be anywhere in life. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/28/2012 7:52:24 AM | ^ This. I swear, I do not know what gyms people go to where men do nothing but stand in front of mirrors or talk down to people. I have heard worse comments made in bars and shopping centers. Sure, you have * some * who may look in the mirror at their bodies. Some of us bust our ass and when you can physically see changes , it feels good. It does not mean someone is a jerk, ***hole or narcissist.
Maybe on rare occasion someone may say something lame, but that happens anywhere. So to encourage someone not to go to a gym is sad. The OP can actually get some good use out of the gym and maybe meet other people with her goals. I still promote outdoor activity as well ~ being outdoors is great ~ but a lot can be done in a gym if you use it for is' worth. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/28/2012 11:06:01 AM | I think that most girls feel out of their comfort zone just at the mere thought of using the weights rooms if they have never done weights before or at least not done weights in with the guys. You are not alone.
My advice to you is to ask the gym staff to take you through a routine .... even if you know how to use weights ... as that means you will be in there with someone for the first time and you will be too distracted with what the staff member is showing or instructing to be worried about who else is in the room . The second time you go in won't be quite so daunting I'm sure even if you go in there on your own.
As msgirlymuscle has said, the guys will be too busy working out themselves to have time to think about you. She has given you some great advice. I love using weights and I love the banter in the gyms I use.
I doubt it will take you long to get to know people if you go there on a regular basis and then you will feel much more confortable in that environment.
Good luck and just do it! | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/29/2012 6:47:44 PM | | Push past that nervousness. There are so many benefits for your body and mind in strength training. Just focus on what you're there to do, and don't worry about what other people are doing. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/29/2012 7:47:29 PM | Thanks guys! I went to hot yoga the past few days which was way out of my comfort zone and I love it!! I'm going to the gym in the morning to jog. Oh and I doubt very seriously any guy is trying to envision me naked...I wash it everyday and I don't even want to see it...lol. But if ya don't like it, you can lump it. Oh and the gym dude is on crack and I can't understand a word he says. I seriously need a valium after about 30 seconds of talking to him. I'm going to hide in the demeaning girly room until I work up the confidence to work on weights up stairs. I had a trainer for a year back home so I am not new to weights.
Hope everyone had a great weekend!! | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/30/2012 4:28:48 AM | The" girly room" is not demeaning if you utilize it to your benefit.
Now you are looking down on them?
I thought that at first in an older class, but used it until I was ready for the other classes. We all start somewhere.
In fact I found them to be inspiring as they worked sooooooo hard.
Just go outside if you can take the heat/weather and walk walk walk..walk faster..
I have had people look at me working out in the gym and say really stupid things like..
"what are YOU trying to lose? BONE??"
I dont use the gym itself much now and just do mainly classes.
Im there to be fit and strong, NOT lose weight.
You are there for you, concentrate on you.
Don't engage with someone that irritates you.
Yoga is great..keep it up running or not. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/30/2012 5:06:55 AM | | Once you realize no one is paying attention to you in the weight room the better off you'll be. You are probably imagining things unless someone has actually said something to you. Honestly, no one cares. Everyone is in their own little world. I used to think the same thing when I was 15 and I started working out. You'll get over it the more time you spend in there. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/30/2012 6:23:12 AM | | Yeah, from what I've seen at Gold's Gym where I go, those "meatheads" are pretty helpful in giving advice to people that wanted to learn new lifts or whatever else when others have asked them about their routines. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/30/2012 9:52:55 AM | Don't be intimidated Tigerlily. Where I go to the gym it's pretty much always guys. I use the machines and I love going in there and changing all their 160, 200 and such settings to my weenie 10, 15, 30 pounds. :)
And don't think of it as they're thinking "what is she doing here?", because many, at least where i am, seem pretty absorbed in themselves and aren't thinking of much else but how much they love their biceps.
And i have a cane and am arm in arm with someone when I'm walking about, and you'd think that would make me shy and self conscious, but nope.
And you're missing out at watching strong muscly eye candy! | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 7/31/2012 4:23:10 PM | Often I'm the only woman in the YMCA weight room. People of all ages, sizes and shapes are working out. Don't worry about it.
I suggest you check out your local YMCA. The YMCA has a family atmosphere unlike many "meat market" gyms. Find an exercise facility that feels comfortable.
If you want to meet new people, I suggest you join a YMCA adult exercise class. Personally, I go to the gym to lift weights, not socialize. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 8/1/2012 1:18:02 AM | ive been doing gym for bout 20 years now and i have friends there that are muscly big and friends who arent. yet both men and women who are quite large walk in all the time and we look. most times there is never a smile on our faces yet 9/10 times the people im around have said how great it was that that the person has decided to do something bout their health. they could have been sitting home but they were pushing the weights.
you know what they are worried bout? they are worried how they look to you - a newcomer. show them you are there to train! you are there indefinitely! this is no short time fling for you! none of them started at how they look now. they all had to start somewhere. oh and well done on your jogging too. its never easy :) | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 8/2/2012 11:07:23 AM | | I started out in a a little spit and sawdust gym, I walked in alone having never used a gym or weights before. The beefy muscle men turned out to be just ordinary guys, most of whom were big softies. A large number of them were bouncers for night clubs but they were all really great and when I needed a bit of help or spotting then they would not hesitate to come over and help. I went on a regular basis, built up my knowledge, worked out hard, gained muscle, changed my body shape and started being asked advice from some of the fellas in there and on several occasions was asked to be a gym buddy. That's when I knew I had been totally accepted. They never once made me feel awkward but I have to admit that I took great pleasure seeing the younger guys jaw drop when I did my pull ups and chins :) | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 8/2/2012 11:44:01 AM |
I suggest you check out your local YMCA. The YMCA has a family atmosphere unlike many "meat market" gyms. Find an exercise facility that feels comfortable.
Agreed. I've been going to gyms for 4o years and prefer Y's, university gyms, etc.
Where I live in Canada we have great community recreation center with gym.,saltwater pool, sauna, hot tub...att'd medical clinic, library, etc. Volunteer 2 hours a week of time at anything and it's all free. ..all part of a program to get folks active.
I'll go to a bodybuilding-type gym now and then when travelling. Most guys who work out are frinedly...there's often some strange machine I'd like to try and no problem getting someone to show me how it works. | |
|
| Going to the gym
Posted: 8/5/2012 8:29:11 PM | | Guess I am sort of a meat head and love when anyone atleast tries including big gals ..You might want to ask some of these meat heads for advise as an ice breaker ..Maybe the feeling you think you are getting from them is in your head ? I'm not a very big guy and they used to seem intimidating to me also .But as they see me work out and hard, I have earned their respect .Now I get compliments, and even asked to spot or be spotted every now and then .Dont let the meat heads run you off .. | |
|
Home
login 
