Overcoming Intimidation at Gym

Jayeire

Hey guys,


I've been going to the gym for a good while now, and up until recently I've been focusing on cardio only. However I just started doing weights and can't help but feel intimidated by the huge guys that I'm lifting beside! It doesn't help either that every time I go half of the college rugger team seem to be there!

Any tips for overcoming this? Or is it just something ya get used to?

racso1975

well ya do get used to it but you've as much right as them to be there and i can promise you they were not big starting out. It's not so much intimidation, as i thought looking at title so fcuk was hassling ya, more so self consious but i do understand what ya mean

xgtdec

i got this too..and still get it at times, best advice is to get on with it, it all breaks down to what your there for, im there to tone and lose fat, after thats done i might think about getting a little bigger...they monster beside is building and building and isolating his arms...totally differant goals and workouts that we happen to be doing beside each other....when i started out i was SO aware of the monsters...now i see the differance in our goals and i just get on with it....you may be the same and this may help./......then again

EileenG

You've got as much right to be there as they do.

For what it's worth, I've found that the huge guys are usually much nicer than they look, and will often help with spotting or loading/unloading bars. Even though I'm lifting teensy weights in comparison, they are more likely to cheer me on to get the last rep than complain about me making them wait for the bench.

It's the skinny blonde in the skin tight lycra and full make-up who really intimidates me.

novarock

I went to RAW for a good while last year, again mostly doing cardio, but I always found the big lifters to be quite normal about it. Most people will realise that everyone is there for different reasons. Im not a big guy at all so I often just used to lift an empty olympic bar and no one batted an eyelid..

So I wouldnt worry too much about it, and dont be afraid to ask any of them how to do certain exercises either...

digme

Jayeire wrote: »

Hey guys,


I've been going to the gym for a good while now, and up until recently I've been focusing on cardio only. However I just started doing weights and can't help but feel intimidated by the huge guys that I'm lifting beside! It doesn't help either that every time I go half of the college rugger team seem to be there!

Any tips for overcoming this? Or is it just something ya get used to?

If you only knew how little people thought of you,they've too busy worrying what you think of them.

WalterMitty

Vast majority of people in gyms are there to do their workout and couldnt give a sh1te about the skinny guy, or the fat guy or how much someone is lifting etc and if they do then ignore them, they are probably more insecure than you.

brianthebard

Do you have an mp3 player? I find it useful for blocking out the other people around me.

MicraBoy

I empathise with the OP. I overcame this by taking the attitude that if I found myself worrying about what other people thought about something I was doing then I clearly wasn't working hard enough or concentrating hard enough on my workout. So tried to re-focus myself on what I was doing.

helimachoptor

brianthebard wrote: »

Do you have an mp3 player? I find it useful for blocking out the other people around me.

+1, get your music on and get into your own routine pretty quick you begin to block out everything else.

shootermacg

Remember to put the weights back after you and you'll have as much respect as anyone there! I see a lot of skinny guys there dropping weights and ****ing off, that really pisses me off.
Yep put those puppys back and everyone will adore ya!

legend365

Everybody starts light/slow.

That'll be you in a few months time, having people wondering how you got so big/fit.

JJayoo

Go in the morning, an empty gym is a beautiful thing

PeakOutput

no1 is looking at you and if they are they are eejits so who cares what they think anyway

force yourself to ask them for a bar or a dumbbell if they look finished a few times and you will soon get over your fear of them im sure they are lovely

The_Kew_Tour

These guys were small at at the start too.

Get your ipod or mp3 first of all and forget about what others are doing.

I dont take any notice of what anyone else does and im pretty sure 99% of people think same about me.

itsallaboutheL

JJayoo wrote: »

an empty gym is a beautiful thing

soooooo true

magotch07

helimachoptor wrote: »

+1, get your music on and get into your own routine pretty quick you begin to block out everything else.

+2 defo ipods help to block out eveything after awhile you will get to know a few lads and you will be grand

The Guvnor

Jayeire wrote: »

Hey guys,
I've been going to the gym for a good while now, and up until recently I've been focusing on cardio only. However I just started doing weights and can't help but feel intimidated by the huge guys that I'm lifting beside! It doesn't help either that every time I go half of the college rugger team seem to be there!

Any tips for overcoming this? Or is it just something ya get used to?

They are probably not that big in reality. The whole thing here imo is confidence don't feel intimidated and don't be afraid to work in with other people. Talking to people is not a bad thing either.

The other thing I find is that anyone who knows their stuff from a training perspective (not the rugby team!:D) can acknowledge a guy working out with good technique and to his limits, anyone who does not acknowledge and accept this is IME & IMO is a tosser of the highest order and usually knows fcuk all about lifting weights.

You get respect by having a go, working hard and not being afriad to ask for advice or help.

You could go into any so called hardcore gym and be welcomed into the place, they make take the p1ss a bit but all in a decent spirit just don't start arm curling in the one available squat rack etcetera!:)

Don't be afriad mate!

Macca3000

Fair play to you for getting into the gym. I'm still waiting for the confidence to kick in to get me throught he door. Seriously need to start doing something about my fitness. Got let go at the start of the year and as my job kept me fairly fit it's been filling out pretty quickly.

If you had the confidence to get into the gym lad, you'll do fine at starting the weights. I'm only jealous

ScottStorm

Seriously as long as your trying and lifting with the correct form that you have been thought (or trying to) the big guy's will more likely help you than kick sand in your face.

They are far more likely to be irritated by the slightly fat guy who thinks he's really strong semi lifting the weights that are to heavy (think local scumbag doing a 2 inch deep bench press)

Degsy

I think these Big Guys are getting bigger..there was a bloke in there last night who wasnt far off Marcus Ruhl size..a complete freak and he was IRISH for good measure..