How to Overcome Lift Intimidation

Pewdielockz · 2016-07-17T11:50:51+00:00

I'm 7 months in now and oh boy did I change. You can't see that much change from the outside until now, except for a way better posture and walking style, but the best thing is the feeling of knowing that you went over a half year to the gym regularily. The last few days I noticed how easily I can talk to strangers. I even talked to some random girls in the club yesterday, something I never did until now.

Protip for EVERYBODY - just start lifting.

There are three things in life you should cultivate/train: creativity, intelligence and body/sports. The last aspect will help you with the others.

Hakametal · 2016-07-17T11:16:22+00:00

A little trick I have learned over the years. When you're doing very hard movements (squats, deadlifts). Stare at the barbell and embody all of your fears into it. The barbell is now represents your fears. This is actually a really great way to train your mental fortitude.

Kingtorythegreat · 2016-07-17T10:28:40+00:00

Lifting isn't hard I honestly don't know why people on trp make it a bigger deal than it actually is.

Leviticus59 · 2016-07-17T17:24:49+00:00

From Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Education of a Bodybuilder:

I think the most important things I developed through bodybuilding were my personality, confidence and character. When you have a well-developed body and you're confident, you see people bending your way, wanting to be on your side, wanting to do things for you. When I was young I suffered from the same insecurity every kid has. But as I transformed myself into something strong and unique, discovering I could do one thing well, confidence came to me naturally. And that gave me a great deal of security.

I believe you overcome a lot of frustrations in the gymnasium, things you're not even aware of. I found that the more I worked out, the less violent I became. It trimmed away tensions and taught me how to relax: When I put in a good workout I felt a sense of accomplishement. I felt like a newborn person. I had the strength to go on and conquer in other areas and feel confident about doing it. It left me in a kind of low-key frame of mind, not always desperate or anxious. Every day, I see people running around, all excited, wanting to do things, feeling pent up and unable to find any release. I'd probably be that way if I didn't work off my frustrations in the gym. I've come to realize that almost anything difficult, any challenge, takes time, patience and hard work, like building up for a 300-pound bench press. Learning that gave me plenty of positive engery to use later on.

I taught myself discipline, the strictest kind of discipline. How to be totally in control of my body, how to control each individual muscle. I could apply that discipline to everyday life. I used it in acting, in going to school. Whenever I didn't want to study I would just think back and remember what it took to be Mr. Universe--the sacrifice, the hard work--and I would plunge myself into studying.

Boovs4life · 2016-07-17T22:55:27+00:00

For the people that aren't sure if they should go to the gym because you have anxiety: When i first got my fat ass into the gym, i had "gym anxiety." I hated going because i was scared I'd fuck up an exercise and everyone would laugh at me. Or people would laugh at my weak ass struggling to lift 20 pound dumbells. Even old ladies had more strength than me and that was a serious self esteen killer. Eventually, i realized no one gives a shit about you and they're there to improve themselves and have better things to do than to judge you. So go do what you gotta do and don't be afraid to ask for help. Most people are more than happy to help out because they see you're trying to improve yourself.

uniquevoid · 2016-07-17T13:43:19+00:00

Lifting is crucial

I started training 3 months ago with my flatmate, he´s a nutritionist and has been lifting and boxing for 15 years. Now I am also on the anabolic diet

He told me that I look so much better now, the muscles in my face, the feelings that he gets when he looks at my face are completely different. I used to be addicted to computer games and spent 10 hours a day playing them, my elbow bones were sticking now and now I have recovered that muscle. He said I was definitely not looking healthy

When you feel like you are not progressing just because your muscles are not bigger after that workout, remember that your brain knows whats going on, and specially other people. Do not give up and remember to enjoy the process

AlphaPhD · 2016-07-19T01:39:11+00:00

Amen.

Seriously, lifting has done more for me than any other thing on TRP. Be sure to keep up with your reading though... Ripped arms are not a substitute for a ripped mind (but being shredded will still get you pretty damn far).

GreatWhiteCuck · 2016-07-18T02:56:07+00:00

Paralysis by analysis. Do not think, instead act.

grewapair · 2016-07-18T00:26:31+00:00

All I did to start was to pick one area of my body and then pick one of the many exercises for that area. Then I'd go in and just do that one exercise and leave. I'd come home and review the proper form, etc. from the materials I read.

The next time, I picked a second area and an exercise for that area. Study how to do it at home and then go in and do the first one from the last time and the new one.

Every time, I added another one until I built up an hour long routine that worked everything. I've been doing it 2-3 times a week for decades.

I used a book that described all of the exercises, how to do them right, and what not to do wrong, called the Body Sculpting Bible for Men.. Note, the book is not the greatest resource for other areas: it's just very clear on form and that was my purpose in getting it.

I never looked like a fool. I always looked like an expert because I sort of was.

Then learn about nutrition and stretching. That has carried me through my 50s. I've yet to lose any strength I had in my 30s.

Old_Sold · 2016-07-18T02:53:12+00:00

They are scared because they think they will be too skinny or fat for the gym. That people will laugh at them. No, they won't.

I was like 60 kg when I started. I still look really bad even though have gained 5 kg. But nobody cares in the gym. Everyone thinks about themselves. It's a place where you are totally free and can overcome looking pathetic. That's what I am doing. 15 kg left to gain.

bigt33 · 2016-07-18T03:35:45+00:00

Your life can literally end any second. Why use any time caring about what others think? P.S. nobody gives a fuck what you look like at the gym because they are too concerned with their own appearance. Really no excuse not to lift besides health or financial reasons.

irclyna · 2016-07-18T09:30:48+00:00

Since university ended and summer began, my gym is no longer a 10 minute walk away from me but a 40 minute walk away. One would think that this is a hindrence, but no, instead I am happy I get to walk the extra 2 miles, since it allows me more time for listening to podcasts and being outside.

The biggest thing about lifting is that it won't INSTANTLY be fun, but trust me, after a few months of lifting, you will learn to love it. For the first few months that I lifted, it was a pain for me to go there, but now I get sad when I don't, because I think about all the lost gains.

MattyAnon · 2016-07-18T19:30:08+00:00

Lifting intimidation

Or: quit being a bitch. Noone cares, noone is looking at you. They're all looking at themselves in the mirror. Quit the ego, noone will notice yet another newbie. You'll blend in just fine - just put the fucking weights back on the rack and wipe the worst of your noob-sweat down with a rag.

You only get noticed at the gym if you're looking great, and by then you'll welcome the attention.

Fairway22 · 2016-07-18T21:42:53+00:00

I feel like there is some good advice on here, like this post, while other is just down right toxic.

DoofusCPA · 2016-07-18T01:24:50+00:00

He's 6'4 250lbs in the center of the gym throwing around 400+ pounds grunting and screaming. No headphones, no water, no bullshit. He's bigger than you, stronger than you and trains at both a higher intensity and longer duration than you.

You can be intimidated by him

Or you can be inspired by him.

He's your shit test.

So-Done-With-Life · 2016-07-18T01:45:01+00:00

It's a problem for me, yeah. Whenever I feel like lifting I just end up saying "why not stretch a bit and practice karate instead?" or I'll go "but I'm going to karate tonight, for like 2 hours".

I work in a labouring job, so I find it fine that I don't lift. But I need to.

EmSeeElRoy · 2016-07-18T05:12:24+00:00

When I first started lifting weights I was incredibly intimidated to go to the squat rack because I was weak and I would always see the big bodybuilder dudes over there. Then one day I decided to just go over there and do it. It worked.

Momo_dollar · 2016-07-18T15:55:58+00:00

Telling someone that they are intimidated by something they have never done, but want to do, might actually make them intimidated by it. I doubt anyone, except for extremely anxious personalities, is scared of going to the gym for the first time, until they hear people make out its something they should be scared about and takes a great accomplishment to suppress and overcome that fear....

lemurmort · 2016-07-18T17:14:56+00:00

Get someone you're with every day to make you do it. My buddy at work makes me go at lunch even if we're hung over. He's helped me a ton.

apexofexcellence · 2016-07-18T19:07:31+00:00

My confidence literally sky-rocketed from working out for 3 years and my whole personality changed just from the changes I seen on my body because of working out.

cthulhu_calling_ · 2016-07-19T14:39:48+00:00

"I'm over a decade older now and never regretted a day in the gym."

This is true, I have never regretting going to lift/work out, but I regret times I didn't go.

oi_fuck_off_mate · 2016-07-20T03:29:28+00:00

People lift for fun. We do it the destress from the rest of life. If you're notnlifting and at home playing video games theb I feel sorry for you - you're not going far in this life.

iamanalterror · 2016-07-18T10:54:40+00:00

You know what I love about going to the gym now?

Feeling smug about all the other guys in there doing shitty brosplits or terrible exercises in general.

I may not lift the heaviest but at least I do squats and work my legs every time I go.

THAT'S what got rid of my gym anxiety.

Sepean · 2016-07-17T11:08:05+00:00

I don't know man. The only life-changing thing about lifting is looking good all the time.

Lifting itself takes up 2 hours per week.

I count calories and hit my macros, sure, but I eat candy, ice cream, pizzas, drink beer, etc. Outside of cut cycles it's not a big deal.

Lifting takes very little effort but it has huge rewards.

Greenismyfavor · 2016-07-19T16:14:46+00:00

I started working out last week. Last night, I went in to do my chest workout. There was a dude using the 50s, so I said oh well and grabbed the 55s. I surprised myself with two good sets of 8. Feels good

bsanderslol · 2016-07-17T13:03:09+00:00

I'm more of a cardio kind of guy, to be honest. Don't really give a shit about lifting and I haven't been to a gym in years, but I do love running and cycling. I commute over 7 miles each way from Brooklyn to Manhattan daily on a bike, and often ride out to the Rockaways or Fire Island on the weekend, if I'm not racing cyclocross or an alleycat. I play in a couple fairly competitive adult kickball and soccer leagues, too.

Not the same as lifting, but the benefits are just as real. The way you look and feel, the way you carry yourself, your attitude and confidence, it all shoots through the roof. Never getting sick and always feeling like a million dollars is worth it. Women definitely notice too. Basically, what I'm saying is, be active and passionate about it. Push yourself physically. It's so worth it.

ILXXLI · 2016-07-17T15:36:24+00:00

A reoccurring theme that keeps surfacing on this forum is the unwillingness to get up and lift.

can you link to a single post where this is true? I would assert that the exact opposite is true.

For many of you who've never set foot in the gym the idea of lifting weights are like trekking Everest during a blizzard in a poncho.

That's a pretty stupid analogy.

The underlying issue I see about non-lifting TRP members regarding lifting is that you see at as something you do, an activity. It's something you have to exert energy and do week in and week out like some rote minimum wage job, right? WRONG! Lifting is a way of life. It's a way of seeing, perceiving, feeling, breathing. It's a developed man's way of being in a word where limp armed effetes are glorified and chastised by obese women who can incidentally break them by sitting on them.

Is this a RedPill parody? Is this for real? am I missing the joke?

There was I time when I literally walked over an hour through rain and snow just to lift at the nearest gym on account of a lack of transportation.

OK. I get it. This is a parody thread. Good job. 10/10 troll.

thescalpmaster1 · 2016-07-17T13:11:46+00:00

Lifting is really important. You can stay fit even when you get 'obese' genes from your mom,dad and from their fucking parents. I am the living proof. If you still don't believe me then go search 'genetics and weight loss'.

samirahmad2594 · 2016-07-18T01:11:45+00:00

Bench Press is probably the worst exercise for anyone new or people wanting to build muscle (stay away from it). Deadlift is probably the second worst. Squats are good, and should be performed as they alone can build massive amounts of muscle.

Title	How to Overcome Lift Intimidation
Author	StoicCrane
Upvotes	56
Comments	90
Date	July 17, 2016 9:53 AM UTC (10 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/TheRedPill
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/TheRedPill/comments/4t91pp/how_to_overcome_lift_intimidation/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/TheRedPill/how-to-overcome-lift-intimidation.60827 https://theredarchive.com/post/60827

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