FabSwingers.com forum: Gymtimadation

By *hy tradie OP Man
15 weeks ago

Dublin

Any advice of over coming this, the fear of looking like a fool not knowing what ur doing or where things are? So I try to keep fit, do lots of running, swimming and cycling...outdoors. I've been a member of a gym for 3 yes but just can't bring myself to go, I may aswell get the money and throw it over the wall

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By *exyScientistsCouple
15 weeks ago

Castlebar

Never make eye contact, always go to the machines furthest away from people and if you can't get something to work just leave. That's how I did it

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By *oc09Man
15 weeks ago

near u

Everyone thinks that at first going to a gym first time but if u get a PT to show u how to do everything the right way ull be fine and just becomes natural then and u start to enjoy it the more u go and become friends with a lot of people out of it

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By *electableicecreamMan
15 weeks ago

The West

I just used the treadmill for walking for the first few weeks until I got used to the place.

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By *igglesforfun99Man
15 weeks ago

enniscorthy

Honestly if it's something you want to do and you don't know anyone who can show you around get some lessons from a personal trainer. Not only will they show you what to do and how to use the machines/equipment safely you can a training plan for whatever it is your trying to achieve.

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By *affie100Woman
15 weeks ago

Central belt

There's a couple of apps, jefit and strong, there'll be others too. You can build workouts etc on there and log what you've done, but more importantly they have little videos to show you how to do each exercise. That's how i learned, and now I've titles in powerlifting etc. We all start somewhere.

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By *hePixieAndTheBearCouple
15 weeks ago

Galway

Doesn't your gym offer personal assessments? That's the first thing we booked after signing up ourselves, so we both got a personal programme of exercises to run 2/3 times a week with cardio in between (that one can easily be done outside of the gym). The staff who drafted our programmes also gave us a tour of all the stations/machines needed and had us do a few reps of each to make sure we were doing it right.

From there on, it's just walking in and going through it with music. Maybe it's because we use a small community gym but we have all ages, genders and body shapes attending, it's nice. At the end of the day, most people are just there to improve themselves a bit, not to stare and judge others.

Don't let that fear get in the way of what you'd like to improve in your body and don't rush/overdo it, it'll take time to see results and that's fine. But talk to the staff and get a starting point. Everyone has different goals and they'll be able to point you to the exercises that will work with yours.

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By *oc09Man
15 weeks ago

near u

First time I went I nearly ran back out of the place didn't have a clue what to be doing but believe it or not people are very helpful in most gyms

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By *og-ManMan
15 weeks ago

somewhere

"I just used the treadmill for walking for the first few weeks until I got used to the place. "

That's exactly what I'm doing

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By *rozenyoghurtCouple
15 weeks ago

Dublin

As said..most gyms will jave some sort of assessment or staff to help at the start, but tbh...even without that you will be fine. Gym goers..and even most 'meat heads ' are some of the nicest and moar helpful people you will find.

And remember..if your feeling self conscious you can be sure half the people there are also. They are more focused on themselves than anyone else

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By *ileen_cdTV/TS
15 weeks ago

Dublin

Gyms usually offer classes which I personally find useful. Join the class that is useful for you and then build your own program based on the class.

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By (user no longer on site)
15 weeks ago

Was never nervous in a gym simply because l was never in a gym, not for me tbh, but l get what the OP is saying but my tuppence worth would be go for it & don't give a F**k about what others think or what they say, enjoy yourself , most important.💪

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By *he KakapoMan
15 weeks ago

A nice rock

It's a hard one but try to understand realise that 90% of people won't even notice you are there.

And as some have said above most gym folk are actually quite helpful to and understanding of newbies.

Yes even the ones admiring themselves in the mirrors

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By (user no longer on site)
15 weeks ago

I would suggest that it’s a bit like imagining an audience is naked when giving a speech. Most people in the gym haven’t a scooby do what they are at, just some of us are better at pretending then others

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By *ifty Fifty 22Couple
15 weeks ago

Dublin

Great to know I'm not the only one in this situation. Haven't joined yet but the initial visits scare me senseless. All this advice has given me courage. My only contribution is to remember most people in gyms would be petrified to do what us fabbers do - often with an audience in double figures

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By *ildAtlanticSecretCouple
15 weeks ago

around Clare, Galway, Limerick

Instagram and YouTube will get you going, I know it sounds easier said than done but copying cat what you see from men and women that look like they know what they are doing,

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By (user no longer on site)
15 weeks ago

Usually most gyms have an induction were a member of staff can show you around, quick guide how to use the machines and where everything is located .

Just ask them at reception and they will provide . Also as said in the thread I’d recommend some PT classes , they will help with form and bring more confidence when working out on your own .

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By *lmost_ThereMan
15 weeks ago

Dublin

Get the people working the tree not show you and over a few sessions that and YouTube will show you all.

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By *addyseeds.ieMan
15 weeks ago

Gorey, Enniscorthy

As others pointed out, usually gym have PT lessons and or some kind of assessment. I think it’s important also to set your goals. Exercise programs to burn fat/lose weight can be different from the ones to build muscles.

You can find a lot of info online. In YouTube and Instagram there are PT that post a lot of interesting videos. But I strongly suggest to get a PT at the beginning as it’s easy to look a video but then when you do it at the gym you can do the exercise wrongly if no one is there to correct you.

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By *urysoutMan
15 weeks ago

Dublin

Definitely get a PT or go with a mate who knows what they are doing. I used to get distracted by the noise and the small talk with others in the gym. I'd end up doing more talking in there than anything else

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By *ueen_MeadhbhWoman
15 weeks ago

sligo

Try a gym assessment, there are numerous coaches that work online and do amazing work

Its finding the right one for you and what you want to achieve.

As for been conscious of people looking or watching, tbh majority are so worried about how they look or been watched they not.noticing anyone else.

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By *ublinstud_MisstattooCouple
15 weeks ago

City Centre

"Any advice of over coming this, the fear of looking like a fool not knowing what ur doing or where things are? So I try to keep fit, do lots of running, swimming and cycling...outdoors. I've been a member of a gym for 3 yes but just can't bring myself to go, I may aswell get the money and throw it over the wall"

I would either get a PT or ask the staff of help when not sure. Look around you and see what others are doing look at body building videos and trust me 99% of ppl at the gym are focused on what they are doing and not noticing you

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By *loki_38Man
15 weeks ago

Rural

Honestly, everyone starting is in same boat. Threadmill is a good start especially if you can see other gym members on machines. Watch and learn. Think your overthinking what others will think. Honestly, most are so caught up in themselves and their sessions they wont even notice you.

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By *og2018Man
15 weeks ago

Letterkenny

Do you have any friends that go to the gym and know what they're doing? Go with them so it's not as intimidating and a great way to socialize.

What I would recommend is ask yourself what exactly you want to get out of training, if you want to bulk up, Google or YouTube best exercises, how to perform them , if it's strength, how to perform each movement you want to get stronger in safely.

Training is simple enough, it's only as complicated as you make it , hope this helps

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By *absparksMan
15 weeks ago

dublin

100% most people don't realy worry about what others are doing.

Take your time manageable lighter weights and resistance get technique right and the raise in weight will follow. The fear of looking bad is much worse than the reality I'm sure. Just go for it!

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By *BrazilianIrishCoupleCouple
15 weeks ago

Kildare

Plenty of good advice for the op here but another thing that might be worth considering if he doesn't like the vibes in his current gym then try another, living in Dublin there would be a huge choice to choose from.

Sometimes a quieter gym with less than perfect equipment might be a better place to get going in compared to a busy flyefit or Ben Dunnes one.

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By *hy tradie OP Man
15 weeks ago

Dublin

Thanks everybody for the advice and encouragement

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