I joined a gym for the first time yesterday!
I am happy to finally join a gym but I am embarrassed at how weak I am when doing weights.
For example, on the Pec Decks I can only lift 28kg (62lbs), and the Shoulder Press is about the same.
I see other men in the gym pulling twice as much as I do.
I felt quite embarrassed yesterday and I am scared that everyone is laughing at me for being weak.
Well done on joining a gym. The first few sessions will be hard. But it will get better and easier. Try to go AT LEAST 3 times a week for about an hour< .Fcuk what people think about you and what you’re doing. The fact of the matter is YOUR there sorting yourself out. At my gym I will NEVER take the pss out of ANYONE who is at the gym. Whether they’re 80% fat or Arnold Swaedfsdbfglsdjgjsnegger. This is because they're there and since they are not that fit they are probably putting in more effort than the fittest person in there.IF someone makes a comment or anything just tell them to "fcuk off, I’m busy"!EVERYONE has probably been unfit at some part of his or her life. But your there sorting yourself out rather than just wishing.It is hard but keep thinking of what you will get out of it once you have spent lots of quality time there.Get yourself a Mp3 player and the time just fly’s by.Good luck and keep at itDon't take any crap, but you shouldn't get any.Mr. Nuts
That is awesome bud. Now get in there and get yourself in shape.But do not worry about the strength deal.
Most people started in the same position as you, personally i have respect for people who goto the gym in the fact that they want to improve themselves and are acctually doing something about as opposed to talking about it.28kgs isnt a bad start, make sure your working all your muscle groups and do cardio, ideally speak to the fitness instructors there who will be able to sort you out a suitable fitness plan for your needs, i started the gym being able to do 35kgs across 7 machines, i can now do 50kgs and i only started near the end of January and the past month or 2 i havent been too good at turning up due to working nights but that'll change on Monday!Good luck!
Dude, don't stress about being the skinniest, weakest in the Gym. That was me last year, when I weighed 55kg (~115lb) and was 6'. I know exactly how you feel, and how embarrassing it is. My worst moment was my first bench press, I needed a spot to the bar with no added weights. That's embarrasing.Keep going though and you'll soon get over it. For one you'll be lifting bigger weights, and two you'll see that no in there really gives a shit how little you can lift. Plus, if you push yourself hard enough, you'll be so wrecked physically that you won't give a damn what others think of you.Some advice though is to put in as much effort as you can, keep going till you can't lift that next rep. Stay away from machines as much as you can, for example, you mentioned the peck deck? Look up dumbell flyes, I find them easier, and they hit my chest much more effectively.And finally, most importantly; do NOT be embarrassed by how little you lift. Do NOT sacrifice form and technique to lift a heavier weight. Do the best you can, and you will see results, and so will others.The rest is up to you. The fact you're posting here, and have signed up to a gym proves that you're determined. Good luck.
I'll give an example actually.Next time you're at the gym, look around for the fattest person you can. Now, do you care how much they weigh? How slowly they run the treadmill? How they can only last 10min before having to stop and catch their breath? No. Not at all. In fact, you're probably thinking good on them for being there.I never even realised they were worried about that sort of stuff, till one of my overweight mates spoke up about it. Everyone else in the gym views you the same way.
Don't worry you'll improve. If they're that immature to make fun of you for working-out then you shouldn't really care about them.
Thanks for all the advice, guys.People weren't laughing at me per se, I just get paranoid about that type of thing!I regularly do the following exercises on the weight machines:Chest PressArm CurlArm ExtensionReverse Pectoral StretchI can only lift around 20-30kg on each one.Am I actually going to get any musclier by using such light weights? I feel as though I will be wasting my time. I would prefer to put on 'muscle bulk' rather than improve the actual strength of the muscle.Any tips?P.S. Can men with skinny arms ever have big biceps? Surely if there is not much muscle there, then it cannot enlarge itself very much?
Bad day at the gym today. One man was staring at me throughout my workout, as if to say "oh my god, what a weak loser". I am ashamed to say that I cut my workout short because of this prick.But the fact remains, should I really be doing weights if I struggle to lift them? If I am so weak that I cannot lift 25kg on the Arm Curl without straining, then maybe a trip to the Doctor is in order?
Woa, 25kg isn't actually bad. Don't be so quick to undermine yourself. Right now, as I haven't done much weights lately, if I were to get back to the gym I'd start with a week of 15lbs per arm and move that up to 20 in a couple weeks, while doing about 40-50 lbs on a single bar curl. 25 kg is 55 lbs, so don't consider yourself to be so weak. I'm not very strong at bicep curls, but I don't feel especially weak either. You don't need to be one of the strongest guys in the gym to feel strong. There're guys at my school fitness center who curl 55 lbs per arm and it's impressive, but they're also built way more solid than me with significantly more muscle mass (and fat).
man, last year was my first time lifting and i was embarrassed as hell. being 5-8 and 125 pounds and lifting weights sure didnt intimidate anyone, but for the most part people were friendly and helping. now im an inch taller and 35 pounds heavier, but when i see another skinny/weak fella there, ill help him out just like people would do for me. make some friends and learn, your experience at the gym is all about your attitude going in. if you are afraid of being judged, you will not have a fun time. if you are excited about lifting and happy to be there, no one can bring you down. people will respect you being there, and if anyone doesnt, you shouldnt value their opinion anyhow. good luck and keep it up, be patient and results will be headed your way
Heh, some guy stared at me when I first went to the gym some guy was laughing when I was doing the bench press because I was only doing 100 pounds (on the assisted) I stared him in the eye and just said "go fuck yourself, prick". He doesn't look at me anymore.It's all in confidence dude.P.SI lift more than him on the bench press now, freeweight too.
Hey, I just thought I'd give you all an update! I have moved up one weight bar on the Chest Press (this is a piece of weights equipment, not dumbbells). I can now just about lift (3 sets of 8 reps) 35kg on this instead of 28kg!
Well done. This is when it gets easy. Now you have seen that bar move down and you can see a difference, it gives you really good motivation. Keep at it. It is well worth the effort in the long run.Mr. NutsP.s If at any time you feel what you are doing is either too easy or too hard consult one of the gym instructors. Don't be afraid to ask. They could really help you on your way to building mass. You don't want to get into doing a routine which isn't beneficial. But since you are improving you will have to push yourself more to keeping improving your fitness.
