I'm a young woman who is relatively new to working out in a gym. I worked previously with a personal trainer, but now I'm on my own. I didn't have this problem when I was with my trainer, but I'm feeling intimidated by all of the guys in the weight room. I don't fear anything specific - I'm just very self-conscious with my 8-pound free weights while the dudes are doing the heavy lifting. Any advice on how to feel more confident and forget my surroundings? Thanks!
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I remember feeling this way when I was in university at our gym. It was divided into a cardio section and a weight section and all of the girls would stick in the cardio section and the “dudes” were all beating their chests and grunting together like animals on the weight side. My best friend and I were super into lifting weights at the time so we would just walk over there, grab a bench and hold our own. Even though we were only lifting 10 or 15 pounds, we did it with confidence.
My advice to you is to go into your gym and lift your 8 pounds with pride. Just because you are not lifting as much as they may be does not mean you are not working just as hard as they are. You might even be working SMARTER than they are. Throw in some core or flexibility exercises into your workout as that will either impress the guys working out around you or quite possibly intimidate them! If there is a cute one nearby ask him to spot you, why not?
But just so you don’t worry too much, remember that most of the guys in the gym are too busy staring at themselves anyway to notice anyone else but themselves.
Attached -- Jordana Brewster leaves the gym.
