STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Tati · Chanel

i wish i wasn't shy...

Kari · Dooney & Bourke

That is so funny...I am the exact opposite. I think my problem is that I know how to lift weights...we lifted weights constantly in high school and college. I am not good at cardio machines. I've hardly ever ran on a treadmill...I don't know how to pace myself. If I take off running on the street, I am fine...but you stick me on a machine and I get all obsessed with what *number* I am running at and I loose it! And forget an eliptical (sp?) machine! I don't even know what it is or how to get on it and use it! Same with a stair climber or a bike.

So, I don't really think that helps you with your problem. However, do you have a work-out buddy? Sometimes you just need that someone to keep you focused on the task at hand or at least distracted from the fact that other people are around you.

If you must go it alone, just remember what Dr. Phil says (yes - i went there)...people are thinking about you way less than you think or something like that. Decide on a *routine* so that you are more confident going from task to task.

Alikat · Kate Spade

I know how you feel - its intimidating to walk into the crowded weight room! I find listening to my mp3 player helps, I know that sounds weird, but I don't think as much about other people around me, so I don't worry about them. And it is true - they are more concerned with themselves, not really what other people are doing - so just go for it!

Lilykind · Hermes

I'm the worst too...while I have no real problem with people seeing me fall flat on my ass running on the treadmill, I refuse to do weights by myself. I have to get a friend of mine to come with me (granted it helps that she's a certified personal trainer, but still...) so that I don't think about all the other ridiculously buff guys staring at me. I've found that I get through the workout a lot faster having a buddy around.

Mandy · Kate Spade

i used to be like that. i think it was because i worried i would look stupid either not knowing what im doing or because i don't lift a lot of weight. i got more comfortable lifting in front of guys by doing it when they weren't around first. maybe if you do it more with your husband to boost your confidence and get used to doing it then you won't be so afraid to when he's not there.

e_doli · Dooney & Bourke

i have the same problem. i will not go near the free weights, ever. i'm just totally intimidated by them.

i used to use the cybex/nautilus machines on a regular basis, but the gyms where i did that gave you 2 sessions where a personal trainer takes you around and sets you up on the machines and shows you how to use them. at the gym i'm at now, they gave you 3 sessions but the trainer made up routine for me that was using maybe 3 of the machines and the rest was free weights and ball exercises (which, due to my gym nerosis, i will not do). so now i go do cardio, strectch, maybe do some abs, and leave.

if i were you, i would book a couple sessions with a personal trainer. make sure you tell the trainer that you are only going to do a few sessions to get comfortable with a weight routine ( a friend of mine started seeing a personal trainer with this intention, without explaining to him that that was her intention, so after she had spent her 3 session budget, she couldn't do anything on her own.) so i think it's impt. to be clear up front about your intentions. once you've done it with the trainer a few times, then you'll probably be confident enough to go do it on your own.

poptart · Coach

Just keep going, and making yourself do it! Eventually you'll be such a regular that you'll feel comfortable and everyone else will be used to seeing you.

And remember - half the people aren't the experts that they think they are, and there's so much conflicting advice about how to do things and what's most effective that no one can accurately judge you for doing something "wrong" (if that's what you're worried about)!

Drew · Gucci

Hire a trainer if you can swing it. Otherwise check out detailed photos of how-to's on the internet so you have confidence about your form.

Then put on headphones and go into your own little world.

PS. I notice about 60% of people have bad form, especially meatheads, so don't worry too much even if your doing it wrong because you are far from alone. (But I don't reccommend lifting incorrectly; it could cause an injury in the worst case scenario and in the best case you may not be toning/gaining mucsle as intended.)

manhattanmonkey · Kenneth Cole

Nice to know I'm not the only one. I'm really intimidated in the gym and don't do much because of it. I just walk on the treadmil for about 15 minutes and maybe get on the bike. Everything else is daunting.

I know I need to just do it though.