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Being self-conscious at the gym?

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OP_has_Aids
Posts: 183 - Karma: 837
I'm just starting lifting, so how do you guys get over being self-conscious? I always get so self-conscious that I never have the nerve to go.
May 4 2015 5:39PM
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Wampire
Posts: 1217 - Karma: 4,684
douse yourself with oil and lift with a speedo on. Also, come up with a cool nick name for yourself like Rex or Lifting Liam
May 4 2015 5:43PM
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JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
Ask yourself why you feel other strangers opinions of you even matter? How does it personally affect you beyond your self consciousness? And how does it personally affect them? If you don't have an answer to either of those then there is absolutely no reason to give a fuck about what other people think.
May 4 2015 5:46PM
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skicel
Posts: 195 - Karma: 411
Just do your thing without worrying. The only thing I recommend is that you dont try too hard (beats, matching nike, etc.). Also, watch some videos on youtube and make sure that youre doing the lifts correctly. Remember form over weight.
May 4 2015 5:46PM
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im_Mongo
Posts: 109 - Karma: 177
Get your basics right keep it simple get yourself a good program (probably a straight orientated one aimed at beginners i.e. 5x5 compound movements) and sort yourself a good diet. It won't take long before you not scrawny. By the way unless you're being a clown and doing stupidly at the gym no one will notice/care about you or what your doing. If you really can't handle it find a gym partner or save up fund and get a barbell, rack and bench at home until you are big enough not to feel embarrassed.
May 4 2015 5:56PM
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OP_has_Aids
Posts: 183 - Karma: 837
im_MongoGet your basics right keep it simple get yourself a good program (probably a straight orientated one aimed at beginners i.e. 5x5 compound movements) and sort yourself a good diet. It won't take long before you not scrawny. By the way unless you're being a clown and doing stupidly at the gym no one will notice/care about you or what your doing. If you really can't handle it find a gym partner or save up fund and get a barbell, rack and bench at home until you are big enough not to feel embarrassed.


The whole reason is I'm fat. Lol. I'm not scrawny. I'm trying to turn my fat to muscle, and cut down.
May 4 2015 5:57PM
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im_Mongo
Posts: 109 - Karma: 177
Never had the problem of being to small and I have also been strong for my age but I did get a little self conscious after i put on a bit of weight after an operation and I couldn't do any training. I just trained in a hoodie and tracksuit for a bit.
May 4 2015 5:58PM
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Granby_killdozer
Posts: 2394 - Karma: -12,170
Most people are too busy looking at themselves in the mirror to bother checking anyone else out. Unless you're some super hot chick, which I highly doubt, I wouldn't worry about it too much OP. If you don't like the idea of lifting small weights in front of people then do lots of push ups, pull ups, sit ups and cardio. Personally I just throw in some headphones, get myself situated in front of a mirror and that keeps me from getting distracted by other people.
May 4 2015 6:01PM
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Spagett+
Posts: 3499 - Karma: 14,884
OP_has_AidsThe whole reason is I'm fat. Lol. I'm not scrawny. I'm trying to turn my fat to muscle, and cut down.


Just do a bunch of cardio and get skinny. then beef up.
May 4 2015 6:01PM
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im_Mongo
Posts: 109 - Karma: 177
OP_has_AidsThe whole reason is I'm fat. Lol. I'm not scrawny. I'm trying to turn my fat to muscle, and cut down.


Posted the second before I saw the reply. Dropping weight is 60-80% diet for most people if doing weights is a good idea when trying to cutdown but if you don't like the gym go for two long walks a day and maybe a short run/cycle if you can.
May 4 2015 6:02PM
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Petey.
Posts: 5736 - Karma: 4,885
I was hardly "jack'd" when I started hitting the gym a few years back. Just had to overcome the mental game and get after it. Focus on what YOU look like, not the other guys there.

Notice and take pride in every change you see that you've made in your physique and it makes continuing that much easier. Couple years down the road and I'm one of the biggest guys in my gym and I'm damn proud of it because I know the work I put in to get there.

E Z
May 4 2015 6:08PM
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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
FOCUS ON FORM, DON'T WORRY ABOUT LIFTING A LOT AND LOOKING COOL TO OTHER PEOPLE. THAT IS JUST STUPID.

I also suggest doing bodyweight workouts, and they will exert less stress on your body. Go to the gym at a time when there aren't that many people there, which is usually right away in the morning.

Get into a routine and figure out what type of workouts you want to do. NEVER WORRY ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU'RE LIFTING, BECAUSE THAT DOESN'T MATTER AT ALL. If you aren't lifting with the correct form then you aren't helping yourself out at all.
May 4 2015 6:19PM
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fresh_prince
Posts: 993 - Karma: 11,910
lift more than you can handle until you hear a rip
May 4 2015 6:43PM
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VTbass802
Posts: 992 - Karma: 239
Put on some headphones and be courteous (share the equipment, wipe it down when you are done, rack your weights, don't be loud) and nobody will even notice you.

Keep working at it (good diet as well) and after a while you will be too busy being excited by your progress to care what other people think
May 4 2015 6:46PM
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Chubz.
Posts: 13918 - Karma: 25,663
Put headlhones in and focus on completing your goal. Nobody at the gym will give you any shit for making an attempt to get into shape.
May 4 2015 7:17PM
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miroz
Posts: 10333 - Karma: 3,945
The gym has a stigma of being an unwelcoming place. Everyone in there who knows what they're doing will be supportive of you, no matter what your experience level is. Be courteous and you'll have no problem. Feel free to ask questions - better to ask and learn than risk hurting yourself. Most people would be happy to help out.

Bring friends! Learn together. In a group you'll probably feel better and less vulnerable than going solo.

Read as much as you can online. The more you know, the more gym literate you'll be and the more prepared you'll be to understand the lifts you're setting out to do.
May 4 2015 7:22PM
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Peter.
Posts: 23796 - Karma: 13,014
bringing a friend helps too. and to be honest, people at the gym shouldn't bother you, everyone who is 'jacked' started out in your position too.
May 4 2015 7:34PM
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XtRemE11
Posts: 5680 - Karma: 246
I hate how going to the gym has become like a sport to some people. maybe its just the gym that i go to, but people take it so damn serious and give other guys shit for doing something wrong, bad form, doing this exercise vs that, etc.. its like they're so proud of how good they can gym. i dont get it.
anyway, it was when i stopped going to the gym and focused on outdoor activities that i saw the biggest improvement in my fitness. running, cycling, climbing, swimming etc..
May 4 2015 8:52PM
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Wheaty214
Posts: 1687 - Karma: 841
XtRemE11I hate how going to the gym has become like a sport to some people. maybe its just the gym that i go to, but people take it so damn serious and give other guys shit for doing something wrong, bad form, doing this exercise vs that, etc.. its like they're so proud of how good they can gym. i dont get it.
anyway, it was when i stopped going to the gym and focused on outdoor activities that i saw the biggest improvement in my fitness. running, cycling, climbing, swimming etc..


Well if someone isn't performing a lift correctly, I hope to god that someone corrects them and shows them how to do it the right way. Why the fuck wouldn't you want someone to do that?
May 5 2015 11:29AM
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safety.third
Posts: 218 - Karma: 463
realize that you are too small to even be seen.

but seriously, challenge yourself and work hard. as long as youre making a genuine effort no one can hate on what your doing no matter the level.
May 5 2015 11:38AM
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safety.third
Posts: 218 - Karma: 463
realize that you are too small to even be seen.

but seriously, challenge yourself and work hard. as long as youre making a genuine effort no one can hate on what your doing no matter the level.
May 5 2015 11:38AM
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Dobber
Posts: 1698 - Karma: 9,835
Just don't go to the gym. There are plenty of other options...





May 5 2015 2:00PM
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