No confidence in the gym!

[Myotherhusbandisgaryoldman]

Hi everyone
Looking for some advice really. I joined a lovely gym a few months ago, programme set out for me. Trouble is I have a confidence problem in actually using the equipment, worrying about liking like a dickhead if I get it wrong! Can anyone help?

Well if it helps I feel like that sometimes too! I think most people have wondered exactly how to use equipment, and lots of people would be happy to help. No one is going to laugh and point (unless they are a 18 year old dickhead!). Just go for it!

check it out on youtube lots of clips on there showing you how to use machines .

I joined one in Sept; and have managed to go 4 times a week on average, following my programme.
Because I work from home and run my own diary, I tend to go for an hour at about 9am when its quite a lot of pensioners and not too many scary gym-body types who would make me feel inadequate.
I havent yet managed to get the confidence to do a class or swim, but intend to in the new year now I'm feeling better about myself.
I just keep my head down and get on with it... take headphones and watch Frasier on the running machines.
Just go; I do feel good at the end of the hour... and actually the people are nice if you ask them questions. Good luck with it

How about hiring a Personal trainer for a few sessions. You can then learn how to use each piece of equipment and get a training plan.

I was a novice but can now confidently bang about in the heavy weights section with the big boys.

I take my training plan with me and a notebook. Then I know what I have to do that session and can mark it off. I think it makes me look like I know what I'm doing? Or at least is a prop- something to so in betweensets..

Ur a newbie, everyone was in ur shoes once.. keep it up

Please please don't worry. Everyone is just focused on themselves, even the super muscly ones. Keep at it, take your time, settle into it and have fun! You're doing a great thing for your health and self esteem

most machines in a gym have posture and how to use cards, follow what they say slowly, that way people will think you are 100% commited to doing it right. 250% of other people using a gym have massive confidence issues as well

Your gym should have staff in hand who can show you how to use equipment, free of charge.

Just ask! And remember, everyone was new once, and it never gets easier, you just get better!

(If they don't have such staff, you need a better gym!)

Don’t panic- there is so much good free material out there now. Don’t be afraid to use it.

See what brand the machines are and then search for a how to YouTube video based on machine plus the exercise specified. There is almost certain to be one, especially for major brands like Life Fitness and Hammer. Save to your phone and just have a look before you start the set as a refresher. It’s actually very good practice as v few people have perfect form and also some people who are doing the exercises differently to you may just have a different focus to you. The notebook is a good idea or there are also apps. When watching the video they often give helpful ‘cues’ to get the movement right so jot those down if it helps.

If in doubt on pace, do a three second eccentric, fast concentric as that’s usually productive. Avoid racing through the reps.

For body weight and free weight stuff the Achieve Fitness Boston team on Instagram have some really helpful ‘do vs dont’ videos.