so im on my way to the gym for the first time in like 4 months and im excited to finally have the courage to actually start moving. so i take my supplements and im driving. i finally get there, im by myself and everyone knows eachother and these guys are already big and built and im like the exact opposite. yea, so my confidence just lowers completly, i feel like im in a place where i dont belong. so, whats suppose to be a like a hour to a half hour workout turns into a 5 minutes session of me just looking at my phone and just leaving because i cant get passed the feeling of awkwardness. so i leave, angry and dissapointed, and im back at home sitting down watching netflix and i think to myself maybe ill go tonight where there wont be as many people. which almost never happens. so does anyone else feel this way or is it just me?

Before I ever stepped foot in a gym, I was very nervous about what other people would think of me being there, knowing very well that I was anything but buff or an expert on how to lift. However, once I started going I realised that most people who were there simply focused on their workouts and didn't bother anyone else. And for every person who was big and ripped, there were equally as many (if not more) who were out of shape, thin and every other kind of physique you could think of. The one thing they all had in common was a desire to reach their goals, and as awkward as it may feel at first, you can develop a level of comfort over time being in that kind of enviroment by reminding yourself of this and focusing on your own goals.

Everyone has to start somewhere. No matter how big and muscular a guy looks, there was a time when they were not that way. As much as our culture stereotypes bodybuilders as jerks, the truth is most of them keep to themselves and you are actually more likely than not to find some who are willing to give you advice and help you if you ask nicely. At the very least the gym staff could help you with that too. AND you're now a member on a site with a wealth of information and both experienced and newer members who are willing to support you reach your goals.

In the short term, you could always put on music to distract you from the noise of the gym, or have a personal trainer (even once a week) to help keep you focused and gain more confidence by working out with someone who is familiar with that gym and the people who go there.

It's understandable but you need to remember everyone in that gym started like you - nobody is born big and muscular. Most of the people will be concentrated on their workouts and sometimes you will meet some cool people who can help you out - especially if they see you doing something in a wrong way. Once you get going and after the first couple of weeks, you won't be as anxious anymore - but you have to start somewhere.

You have 2 questions facing you: Do you want to change your physique and build up your confidence and do it for yourself or do you want to be watching Netflix for the rest of your life and watching yourself change your physique into something that will make you even more anxious and self-conscious?

John

John and Duncan covered my thoughts exactly - everyone has to start somewhere. When I started going to the gym I wasn't big at all, but I was actually motivated by all the bigger dudes lifting heavy weights. Plus, you're bound to have a few decent guys who actually give you advice and can help you with your training - it's always good to have someone there to push you.

But, if you didn't want to be disturbed, just throw some headphones in and get in the zone and focus on yourself. Think of it this way.. if you're encouraged to get a certain physique or hit a certain goal, the longer you put it off, the longer it will take to achieve it. No better time to start than today! You've got this bro! 💪