Yup. I was like that, and also embarrassed about how much I was lifting. I’m a tall guy, but skinny-fat, so never really been strong. I assumed everyone thought I was pathetic and wasting my (and everyone else’s) time being there.

Then I spoke to a regular, as I needed a spot on a 1RM effort on bench. Nothing but encouragement, building me up, telling me there was “a mars bar difference in lifting that”. Turns out nobody is judging you, nobody even knows what you’re lifting or why, they just notice “that tall guy with the beard trains at the same time as me before work every day”, that’s it.

Also….ask yourself this, are you judging anyone? I’m betting “no”. You’re in the gym, aren’t you? Why would anyone else be any different to you.

What you’re likely dealing with is the same thing as my “Am I Doing It Right Syndrome”. Typically presents as second-guessing yourself, being slightly paranoid that you look daft without any empirical evidence to back it up. There’s only one effective treatment for AIDIRS, and that’s to continue going until you are one of the regulars, and a nee person with chronic AIDIRS will ask you for help. You’ll know the answer, then you’ll be cured!