I work at a private, one on one, personal training studio. It’s not a gym where you can just come in and work out whenever you want. Its just the client and the trainer in a private suite. There are two suites, so there are no more than about 4 people in there at time. Aside from the personalized attention, the intimidation factor is zero, and that’s why people like it so much.

Big, public gyms, like 24 Hour Fitness, and Gold’s, can be very impersonal. I work out at 24 Hour Fitness, and even the personal trainers I have encountered are detached and uninterested. These gyms do, however have their up sides. You can go in whenever you want, stay as long as you want, use a HUGE variety of equipment, they usually offer free classes with membership, and are cheaper than private training.

These gyms can be intimidating to the out of shape, the shy and the inexperienced. Rows of people with rippling muscles and horrible fake tans, clad in spandex, lifting their body weight or running for hours is enough to make anyone feel like a schlub. Don’t let intimidation keep you away from the gym, and away from the body you want.

Remember why you are there. The gym is a place to get in shape and take care of yourself. Everyone is there for the same reason, even though they may be in different places in their pursuit of health. I guarantee you no one is watching you, they are too busy focusing on themselves.* Pop in your ipod and forget about everyone else.

Use it as motivation. Is someone next to you bench pressing twice the weight you are? Instead of getting down on yourself and quitting, think about how hard they must have worked to get to that level. You can get there, too, if you keep working at it.

Ask for help. Machines and equipment can be confusing for a newbie. When you sign up, the club will usually give you a tour. If you see a foreign machine, ask how to use and adjust it. If you are already member, find someone working that looks bored, wandering aimlessly, (there seems to be a lot of them) and ask them to give you some pointers. Or ask a fellow gym mate. You might make a new friend. Just make sure its not with sweat band guy-they are hard to get rid of.

Be a copy cat. Don’t know what to do when you get there? See what everyone else is doing. I consider myself a gym veteran, and I still learn new exercises everyday from people watching.

Don’t be afraid of the free weight room. This is where you will usually find the huge guys grunting, lifting and pressing more than you weigh. If you are a lady, no worries. It may seem scary, but the guys will all start showing off immediately, no matter what: they can sense estrogen. And men: the buffies are too interested in looking at themselves and their awful tribal tattoos in the mirror to even notice the weight you are lifting. Don’t try and lift too much to keep up. You’ll only end up hurting yourself. And, trust me, those guys curling 50lb dumbbells, most of the time aren’t doing it right. Those muscles aren’t going to help them when they throw out their back trying to finish the set. Stick to good form and laugh when they inevitable break something. Just don’t try and correct them, or they may break you.

Go with a friend. Things aren’t so scary when you have someone right along there with you. And you’re less likely to cut your workout short if you are holding each other accountable. Just make sure you choose your buddy wisely: don’t bring the chatterbox or the whiner, or you’ll spend most of the time motivating them to get moving. Bring someone along that you know will challenge you, but not leave you in the dust.

Most importantly, have fun! If you knew how little people paid attention to you, you’d probably be insulted.

*Unless you are the one guy/girl that feels the need to wear a sweatband on you head and wrists. I have one at my gym that wears leg warmers. LEGWARMERS. I can’t look away. I love it.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Don’t Be Intimidated