'Nobody is staring at you and nobody cares': 20+ tips from gym rats for people who want to work out more in the New Year

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 30, 2023 2:00 PM EST

If you're like me, "exercise more" makes an annual appearance on my mental list of New Year's resolutions. And like so many New Year's resolutions, there is some meaningful change for a few weeks until I decide to go back to old habits. 

When it comes to working out, everyone always says it's about finding the right method of exercise for you, but for many, the right method of exercise looks more like sitting on the couch binging my favorite comfort TV show. At least there is some movement as I reach for the remote control and click on the next episode.

Let's be honest: going to the gym is intimidating. It's not exactly an easy place to adjust to when you're coming from the vulnerable "I should be doing this more" place we know all too well. Hopefully, for those of you who are ready to try again in 2024, we've compiled a list from this r/AskReddit in which gym rats give their top tips for newcomers like us. Keep scrolling below for the full list!

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  • 01
    "For the love of God A Wear deodorant"
    via Danielle Cerullo
  • 02
    r/AskReddit. Posted by u/FAAAACKUNDO Gym goers of Reddit, what is something (protocol, etiquette, tips, etc.) that new year resolution-ers should know about the gym?
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 03
    oppositetoup For the love of God, put weights back where you found them. If you're strong enough to lift them in the first place, you're strong enough to put them back. Edit: Thanks for Doubling my upvotes, as many of you have said, this applies to all equipment, not just weights, and if something is obviously in the wrong place when you use it, find the right spot to put it back. Have a happy new year all :) 45.5k Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 04
    [deleted] Don't start big just because your friends or everyone else is lifting big. Start small, it'll be easier to maintain the routine and there's a much smaller chance you'll injure yourself. 40.8k Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 05
    relative_unit The really huge intimidating looking guy squatting half the plates in the gym is probably pretty friendly and the most likely guy to help you out and offer you good advice. 33.2k Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 06
    Drumlin Nobody is staring at you, and nobody cares that you are fat or ugly or out of shape. Do your routine with confidence. 32.2k Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 07
    chillzatl You get fit in the gym, you lose weight in the kitchen. 20.3k Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 08
    MisterComrade .. Best advice I received for the insecure: Do you have a hobby? Do you get excited when you see someone is interested in that hobby? Do you like to talk about your hobby and share information about it with people who know less than you? Or even a small amount of pride seeing someone new to your hobby? So you see that really swole dude that intimidates you so much? This is his hobby. He's probably super stoked about it.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 09
    SaintPhoenix_ Ignore everyone else. Leave no trace that you were ever there. Get some headphones. The best workout plan is the one you can stick to. There is no 'best exercise' or 'best workout'. Pick one that you think you'll enjoy and stick with it. For the first year/18 months, don't worry about the numbers, focus on your form. Bicep curling 10kg dumbbells with perfect form is much more useful that wildly swinging a 45kg dumbbell around. 18.4k Share ...
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 10
    banter_claus_69. Nobody cares what you look like at the gym. You shouldn't be discouraged by feelings that people are going to judge you for being too fat/thin at the gym. The entire purpose of the place is to build a healthier body. If anything I always looked up to the really out of shape people who would come in and work out hard. It's incredibly motivating to see. Besides that - even if someone does judge you for being fat or skinny at the gym.. their opinion probably isn't worth much if tha
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 11
    Neet91. one thing. if u are unsure how to do an exercise correctly - for the love of god ask. most people are friendly and will help. 15.0k Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 12
    ThatKarmaWh 1. Re-rack your weights. 2. Don't leave your weights on the bar. 3. After you are finished, return the weights. Remember that before you can get into heaven you have to do a single squat under all the weight you left racked like a 1. ↑ 13.5k ↓ Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 13
    jazman1867 Wipe down the equipment when you are done. 13.0k ↓ Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 14
    Jerry13888. Don't lift in front of the DB racks. Move back 2m. Put your weights back. Wear Deodorant. All rules can be summarised by "Don't be a That's literally it. Also, nobody cares about you so don't go in there without any confidence.. Everyone is so concerned about themselves and their own routine that you don't even figure, so don't sweat the pressure. 9.9k Share
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 15
    IveSeenThings Man Most of the key stuff has been hit here so I'll add a few less common ones. 1.Don't wear an obnoxious amount of perfume or cologne. It's a gym, we're all supposed to stink a bit when we leave. I hate it when I have to get off of cardio equipment because the person next to me is doused in perfume and I can't breath.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 16
    2. Dress appropriately. Don't wear jeans and a collared shirt. If you're going to do cardio because you want to lose weight, and you are a man, DO NOT WEAR COTTON UNDERWEAR. You will get brush burn on your Johnson. It will hurt. Get synthetic underwear.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 17
    3. On that note, if you have extra skin or your thighs rub together, Vaseline is your friend. Just a thin layer will help prevent
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 18
    4. WASH YOUR HANDS BEFORE YOU GO TO THE BATHROOM AND BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE GYM. Gyms are fairly dirty. Most people wipe down machines but not everyone does. There are things you will get on your hands that you don't want on your or in your mouth. Be vigilant with your hygiene when becoming a gym goer. Edit: Wash your hands after going to the bathroom too. I didn't include it because I thought everyone already did this but a ton of commenters don't think so.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 19
    5. Don't overdo it on your first week. Don't workout until complete exhaustion. Set a reachable goal and then increase it as the days and weeks go by.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 20
    6. People at the gym are nice. If you ask them a question they'll probably answer you. Now, don't mistake them for your personal trainer, but don't be scared of them. However, don't interrupt anyone while they are lifting or holding weights. Wait until they're resting.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 21
    7. If you can afford it. Get a personal trainer for a week or two. Most gyms offer a special when signing up. If you are going to lift free weights, it's important that you do so with the correct form. Forget about how much you can lift. It doesn't matter. You aren't joining a gym to become Mr. Universe. You are joining to get in shape. Nothing will set you back on your new path like getting an injury. Lifting weights can be dangerous if not done properly.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 22
    8. Drink water. Drink lots of water. 9. Wash your gym clothes after each use. If you worked out properly, they are disgusting and need to be washed.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 23
    10. Keep notes. Did you do a mile on the treadmill today? Write it down on a notebook with the date. Tomorrow you can do 1.05 miles. This will help you keep track of your progress and will act as positive reinforcement of your progress.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4
  • 24
    11. Know what you want to do. Do you want to lose 10 pounds? Do you want a six pack? Do you want to be strong enough to lift a toilet seat? Make sure your initial goals are achievable. Don't set the bar too high. You can always create new goals when you achieve old one. As an avid gym goer for ten years, I can say we're happy that your trying to get healthier. We won't say as much to you unsolicited but we're proud of you. Stick with it and you'll be happy you did.
    via u/FAAAACKUNDO 4

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new years resolutions gym new years gym memes fitness askreddit exercise gym rat reddit thread Reddit
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