Too embarrassed to join the gym

monica_823

A good way to get your feet wet is to have someone - a human being - who understands you and can hold your hand and guide you...outside of the gym.

There is an app called LokaTrain where you can find private trainers in your neighborhood for as cheap as $30: you can message them and decide when and where you want to work out (park, outdoor, your home, etc). It's a great and cheap way to get started! And you have plenty to choose from: girls, guys, different ages...

Tweaking_Time

Dawn1996r wrote: »

I don't think I can afford a PT or even if my gym offer this. It's a very small local gym and is pretty basic as they come which is also more embaressing as I'm bound to bump into people I know.

I'm going to have a look at youtube and go from there, I know the person behind the desk will be able to give me a quick tutorial on most of the equipment.

Go to my profile pics and look at the former Fatty McFatty me and the current me. My former self felt all the trepidation you are now feeling when I first went to the gym. I swear I tried to suck in my gut the entire time I was there. The gym and calorie counting do work...18 months later I was down 75 pounds and in the best shape ever, probably since college days. I never used a trainer. You also can learn a lot just by casually observing when you are working out nearby.

Diet and exercise...do you think it will ever catch on???

Carlos_421

Go in with a plan.

Do some research and find a good full body lifting program online. Look up videos on how to do each of the moves.

Print out your plan, write it down or have it in your phone.
Go in and work the plan.

If you come to an exercise and can't remember how to do it, don't be afraid to ask someone. Most regulars at the gym are going to be excited that someone else is getting into lifting and will be more than happy to give you some pointers.

Therealobi1

I have been going to classes for quite a few months now and finally did a gym induction on wed, he didn't cover every single machine but enough to get me going. I can book another induction if i need to anyway. I now feel comfortable to get cracking. Whilst we were going through the machines this lady interrupted the PT and asked if she was using the machine right. Within a few seconds she was sorted. It's really as simple as that. My gym website has all the machines listed so I can make plan of action before I go.
I wear sports tights, sports bra and dri fit sports top. My local nike outlet has nice stuff.
Don't worry about it just do what you need to do
Good luck

Shawshankcan

Btw - people in the gym aren't that scary. Couple examples that I've done.

Couple kids (probably 18, I was in my last year of university, they looked to be in their first) came into the gym looking like deer in headlights. First thing every male does in the gym is bench. Day 1 is always bench press. It's a rule of life. A number of "bros were sitting on the two benches that had bars. The third bench had no bar. The two kids were standing there, arms crossed defensively because they didn't know what to do I grabbed a bar from a different area, I put the bar on the bench and motioned for them to take it.

Second one, a couple girls came to the gym and we're trying to use the back extension machine. But they were sitting on top of the pad that is suppose to keep your legs in place. This meant that every time they extended their back, they were pushing themselves out of the machine. I asked my female friend to go help them. I didn't want them to think I was trying to hit on them.

Point being, people aren't that bad.

mikenunnally

Don't get discouraged to join a gym. Alot of good advice in the previous post here. We were all newbies at some point but once you get the hang of everything you will enjoy your time there while burning those calories and getting fit. Good luck to you!

mappeal67

If the gym is any good they should give you a 1 hour induction included in the membership. I had one when I joined and the guy was super helpful working out an exercise programme for me using machines and equipment and even mat work. He also encouraged me to attend the classes as they help push you a bit further.
If they don't offer an induction there should be staff on hand to show you how to use equipment. It's in their interest to make sure you get the most out of the machines AND ensure you don't injure yourself.

harperlm1976

I did hire a trainer and that was helpful but ivecslso just asked other members when I see them doing a machine ir exercise I wanted to try.

brdnw

I started goign to the gym when i weighed 285lbs so i can relate to not feeling like i belong.

However, there's no reason to be embarrassed, everyone is there because they identify with you, they want to improve themselves. Create training groups, do like chest/triceps together, back/biceps together and then you can group your legs & shoulders. That's 3 types of workouts to linearly go through and mix abs in every other time you go.

Google: "Back and bicep workouts" and you'll get rows, curls, assisted pullups, cable curls, preacher curls, deadlifts, other variations of rows. Pick a few of each and do say a 8-12 rep range of a weight you can't do 15 times and do 4-6 sets.

Chest tricpes: dips, incline bench/regular bench (or start with dumbbells first to get comfortable), tricep pull downs, skull crushers, flys, inside grip bench.

Legs: squats, front squats, leg extensions, hamstring curls, calf extensions. Shoudlers: military press, front raises, side raises, shrugs.

Abs: hanging leg raises, if you can't do those just bring your knees up, Ab pull downs, you can do planks if you're a beginner, but they're not very good for non-beginners in my opinion.

Running: do HIIT cardio, run really ahrd for 15-30 seconds, walk until you get your breath back (say 30-45 seconds) and repeat for 15 minutes. Do that 3-5 times a week. You'll increase your cardiovascular endurance, you'll become faster and more fit than if you just ran a regular jog.

Also watch people. I try to watch fit people at my gym all the time. It reiterates what muscles they're using when they're lifting as youc an see X muscles flex, also you can form check by seeing how their form looks and of course you can learn new excercises as they can do something you haven't tried to committed to yet.

thefuzz1290

^^^^^
What he said. Also don't be afraid to ask someone how to do something. My old gym had a power lifter that would train there (600 squat, 500 bench, 700 deadlift) and he was always helpful when I had form questions. Just don't bother anyone with headphones in or while they're in the middle of a set.

girlwithcurls2

Dawn1996r wrote: »

I don't think I can afford a PT or even if my gym offer this. It's a very small local gym and is pretty basic as they come which is also more embaressing as I'm bound to bump into people I know.

I'm going to have a look at youtube and go from there, I know the person behind the desk will be able to give me a quick tutorial on most of the equipment.

One more thing--maybe choose a quiet time so that there aren't many people there when you get your tour. Nobody likes to look like they don't know what they're doing, but everybody starts somewhere. I always admire the people who DON'T mind looking like beginners/newbies, and they just walk up and ask, or they stand around and watch and take it in. I'd love to be that un-selfconscious. Just think, if you learn and start, within a week or 10 days, you'll be into a routine, and nobody even remembers that you didn't know what you were doing. It's just taking the first step that is hard.

dropitlikeasquat87

I used to be like that too. I joined a gym and I was so nervous people were going to judge me. The best advice I can give is to ease into it. The first time I went to the gym all I did was walk on the treadmill and watch other people. Watching other people do things helped me a lot and I learned how to use some of the equipment that way. You can also YouTube it. There's a lot of helpful tutorials out there. I usually wear a tank top, a sports bra, and leggings or capris to the gym. Be careful bc sometimes my leggings are see through when I bend over ugh. If you find that your leggings are see through bring a jacket with you and tie it around your waist when you do exercises bending over. And sometimes you don't want dudes staring at your booty when doing deadlifts.

MSJourneylog

To be honest I'm still not 100% with the gym! But you just got to realize that everyone is self-absorbed- NOT in a bad way.

Everyone is there for the same purpose. Go once to scope it out (preferably a trial run before you pay for anything). Go on the treadmill or the elliptical or the bike. You'll see quickly no one even looks at you unless they want the machine you're using.

If you just signed up take advantage of a free tour- most people are genuinely happy to show you around... it is usually their job and how they get clients (report with peeps).

No one thinks you're weird or an idiot, they see so many people come in asking the same questions. Well unless you start doing crazy weird things like throwing the weights. Don't throw the weights.

For what I wear sometimes it's tights and a T-Shirt but I still feel pretty self conscious so some days I wear sweats and a sweater. I'm pretty well - um- endowed so I usually go with a bra and a sports bra on top... gotta stop them suckers moving around. Ultimately no one cares as long as you're still mostly covered. Anything in the active wear section of Walmart is fine. So long as you're not naked or wearing a fancy black dress with heels you should be good. Oh and wear good fitting with good support sneakers. Best. Investment. Ever.

Not sure what gym you go to but they most likely have a general circuit that's a great start. If you don't see (usually a bunch of machines in a circle) ask the front desk. They're simple and designed for full body workout in a short time. Long term this isn't ideal but it's perfect for starting and finding limits. They usually have little bars to adjust the weight so it will get you familiar with what you can do without having to go back and forth with a bunch of weights. Also, they usually have little diagrams of a dude doing what you're suppose to do in case you forget.

If you're dead set on free weights Youtube or Google 4-5 moves and do them with 1 lbs weights. You'll know if you need more and you can increase if you need to. I looked through Youtube and grabbed a 20 minute weight workout I was cool with. Watched it like 8 times and then played it while I worked out. Gave me something to focus on and a guide so I could get through it without messing up.


Best of luck!

beautifulwarrior18

Dawn1996r wrote: »

Most people are embarrassed to go to the gym because of their size but for me it's because I do not know how the hell to work out all the equipment.

I don't know whether I should just spend my entire time at the gym on a treadmill or mix it up with weights but then I don't know how much weights I should lift (I'm very weak) ha!

I'm worried people are going to think I'm a right idiot and I don't know really what to do in a gym.

Any tips?

Also what do you wear to the gym (FEMALE)

Any help is really appreciated

#1. Get over it. Getting your body to where you want it to be is going to require being uncomfortable. If being healthy and in shape was comfortable everyone would be doing it.
#2. The majority of those "machines" are not necessary for a good workout. In fact, most machines hinder workouts by providing unhelpful stability and support and allow your muscles to be lazy. Machines can be helpful when you're trying to increase the strength of a particular muscle or subsection of muscle to fix muscle imbalances but you're better off using dumb bells, barbells, kettle bells, medicine balls, body weight, etc. A lot of times you'll find that when you do a workout on a machine and then do an equivalent move with free weights that the free weights are much more difficult because the machine is encouraging muscle imbalances and assisting you in ways free weights don't.
#3 What I said about machines above also goes for treadmills. You're better off running off the treadmill because then you will be forced to propel yourself forward. Treadmills will make certain muscles lazy. The only two cardio machine I encourage use of is the rower, and the bike (especially for injuries). Plus there are so many other awesome forms of cardio you can do at a gym like jump rope, box jumps, burpees. Box jumps are my favorites. You feel like a mega bad *kitten* when you can jump a box that's higher than your knees. Especially when you're like me and have little leprechaun legs.
#4 Every gym has a trainer and I've never been to a gym that doesn't offer a free consultation with a trainer when you join. Ask them to help you create a full body workout that incorporates cardio and strength training. I'd also stress that you prefer not to use machines but instead use free weights. Make sure with free weights you're learning proper form to help you prevent injury.

beautifulwarrior18

Also, you could do something awesome like this
http://www.muscleandfitness.com/workouts/workout-routines/complete-mf-beginners-training-guide-0

Dawn1996r

Thank you all for your feedback. For those just saying just go, it isn't that easy for someone who suffers with anxiety, so going to the gym is a massive achievement for me.
I went to the gym, it was complete rubbish, so trying to find a gym for me now.

Thanks again all x

Mike02209

Making fun of an overweight person at the gym is like making fun of an unemployed person at a job fair.

heyitslexi95

If you currently have a membership to a gym & haven't used it yet, or are still contemplating joining a gym... Typically before your first time in the actual gym, workers will spend a bit of time with you on teaching you how to use the different machines. There are even some classes at different gyms you can join & they will spend a certain amount of time working with you so you know how much weight to lift & when to change the weight after you hit a plateau.

emdeesea

I have anxiety issues too, so I get it. And you really need to just get over it and find a gym you like and ask someone for help. The sooner you get out of your own head the sooner you can start to accomplish your goals.

From your own profile: "The best project you'll ever work on is YOU"

Now is the time to start on that.

rsclause

Don't worry about it, we all think everybody is "looking" at us when we walk in but they really aren't. I would get someone to walk you through the machines ie. Nautilus etc. Then start with light weight at first and start going up each week until it starts to require real effort. This way you don't get hurt or get sore as hell. Later after building some strength you can try the free weights if you like. What to wear? You could go insane with high fashion/ high budget or keep it simple with a Tee shirt and shorts. The new high tech fabrics like under armor breath better and don't hold sweat like cotton does.

JoRocka

OP_ did you ever make it to the gym?

Maria_Fatima

Go with some kind of a plan. And be prepared for the nervousness you are bound to feel! No, it WON'T be easy, and yes, you WILL bump into people you might know and it will be weird and embarrassing. But the journey of fitness isn't just physical. A lot of it requires mental and emotional preparation even. So go with a confident attiude and plan a set of exercises beforehand. Google and YouTube all the way!
If you have an idea of what to do, you'll be better able to communicate with others too. Observe them, talk to them and soon enough, you'll feel like you belong too.

tiggerlove

I felt the same way when I started but, the ppl that work there will be able to show you how each machine is to be used. The gym i went to had a tour that last a hour and a half to show you each machine and what it does and now most of the machines have an illustration on how to use them now. Good Luck