Insecure about going to gym?

ColeSlaw1234
ColeSlaw1234 Posts: 47 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I know I was. I was basically a potato surrounded by athletes. My tip that is simple and maybe stupid. INVEST IN A STEPPER OR EXERCISE BIKE. Before I was slightly more fit, I was too insecure to go to the gym because I had no endurance and looked confused as hell. However, simply using a stepper at home while I was watching a movie or playing games for a few hours seriously built up my endurance. It had enough to take a trip to the gym to only be exhausted after 10 minutes...so it seriously helped me to build up my endurance beforehand so I could actually ensure I was burning some calories when I eventually went to the gym. (Also if u increase the resistance u will seriously get some calf muscles) I GOT MINE AT GOODWILL SO INVEST

Replies

  • ColeSlaw1234
    ColeSlaw1234 Posts: 47 Member
    MikePTY wrote: »
    I go to a gym with many stereotypical gym guys. The guys whose muscles have muscles. But here's the thing: everyone is far too concerned about their own business to get up in yours. Nobody is going to judge you or bother you. The most interaction you'll have is if somebody asks you to "work in" with you, which is using the machine during your rest so you can both work out. That has been the entire extent of my interaction.

    I don't think people should feel like they need to workout at home because they are scared of the gym, no matter what their fitness level is. I promise its not as scary as you think it will be.

    I agree. No one really cares. I just no my insecure brain was making it's own logic! I think people overestimate people's interest in their business. Most people are doing their own things ^_^
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,052 Member
    Along those lines, before I went to Boot Camp I started running.

    My own tip for people insecure about going to the gym is to sign up for a few sessions with a personal trainer who will a create a plan for whatever level of fitness needed. Every gym I've ever joined has included 1-3 free sessions with memberships and several have also had small group classes for free or very low cost.
  • ColeSlaw1234
    ColeSlaw1234 Posts: 47 Member
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Along those lines, before I went to Boot Camp I started running.

    My own tip for people insecure about going to the gym is to sign up for a few sessions with a personal trainer who will a create a plan for whatever level of fitness needed. Every gym I've ever joined has included 1-3 free sessions with memberships and several have also had small group classes for free or very low cost.

    Actually a pretty good idea!
  • Cahgetsfit
    Cahgetsfit Posts: 1,912 Member
    I agree with the people at the gym don't care thing. It's true. We don't.

    I also agree and strongly recommend, that you do get a few sessions with a PT to show you the basics if you are wanting to venture into weight training. That will not only give you confidence to not feel like an idiot when you are trying to work a machine, but will also give you some basics of the how-tos. It's not actually just sitting on a machine and moving your arms or legs back and forwards - there is more to it than that. Mind-muscle connection being the biggest thing.

  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    coleosis1234 wrote: »
    kshama2001 wrote: »
    Along those lines, before I went to Boot Camp I started running.

    My own tip for people insecure about going to the gym is to sign up for a few sessions with a personal trainer who will a create a plan for whatever level of fitness needed. Every gym I've ever joined has included 1-3 free sessions with memberships and several have also had small group classes for free or very low cost.

    Actually a pretty good idea!

    It's also helpful because the trainer can show you how to properly and safely use all of the equipment, so you don't feel like such a noob. :)
  • fcanad
    fcanad Posts: 48 Member
    Everyone is too busy self critiquing his or her own body.
  • Danp
    Danp Posts: 1,561 Member
    It does require a little bit of space and some upfront costs but I am so happy I set up a home lifting gym in my garage at home.

    I started with:
    - Squat rack
    - Flat bench
    - Olympic bar
    - Plates (2x1.25kg, 2x2.5kg, 2x5kg & 2x10kg)
    - Rubber floor mats

    All up this cost me about $550AU, so comparable to approx 12 months of gym membership.

    This gave me everything I needed to start lifting at home. It was enough weight for first few months of lifting after which I went and bought a couple of 20kg plates to continue progressing.

    There's the added benefit that I don't have to share equipment with anyone, wait for someone to finish or try and work in with someone. The gym is right there, no need to pack a bag or drive anywhere and I get to shower in my own bathroom afterwards. Plus loads of other stuff.

    There are of course some cons. Chiefly, you don't have access to the variety of equipment and machines so it's not suitable for everyone's routine. It's easy to get some bands or kettlebells or stuff like that but cable machines? lat pull down? leg press? Nope. There's also no one there to train you (unless you arrange a PT home visit I suppose) and of course the obvious risk that comes with working out alone. but you just need to be a bit more careful about lifting to failure or getting that one last rep or, of course, invite friends/family/neighbours to use the gym with you.
  • 150poundsofme
    150poundsofme Posts: 523 Member
    Great advice for those that are self-conscious.
  • thelandkraken
    thelandkraken Posts: 91 Member
    I’m obese and felt self conscious the first time I went to the gym, but I needn’t have. One of the most muscly intimidating guys helped me set up the treadmill to the right speed and incline, and I’ve had more than one regular say how awesome it is to see someone my size giving it a go.
  • thisPGHlife
    thisPGHlife Posts: 440 Member
    I know that I used to be insanely insecure about going to the gym. As others have said, you don't necessarily have to go to the gym. You can set one up at home or get into body weight fitness. There are ways to do BWF where you don't need any "tools" other than a sheet and door that locks. Or, find activities that your love doing that aren't in the gym like biking or hiking.

    However, if you do want to go to the gym, no one is judging you. If they are, they aren't good people and they would find a reason to judge you even if you looked flawless. I know it's difficult to internalize the idea that no one is starting at you or judging you. Here are some things that helped me:

    I did a trial day at the gym and I was able to see how amazingly supportive everyone was. Investigate the gym to see that it has the atmosphere you want. Many gyms will have a trial day or week that's free so you can check it out.

    I started going with a friend. It's easier to ignore others when you're distracted in conversation. Or is someone is obviously being ride, you have moral support and someone to talk with about how rude they were.

    I wasn't really a gym person but tried a sport that can only really be learned at a gym. It forced my hand because I either had to continue to feed my fear, or get over myself to learn this awesome sport I had just found.

    In the end, not only have I measurably improved my health and endurance, leveled in my support, and started lifting, but I have also made friends. And there have literally been only two times that someone has come up to talk to me in an "uncomfortable" way. The first time, one of the trainers who was working with a client right next to us, mentioned that my lifting partner was inadvertantly combining sumo and traditional squats. She got a little help with form from someone who knows what they are doing, and we both learned what parts of the body sumo Swiss work on. The other time, we had a guy who had the most beautiful set of muscles (I can't express to you how amazing they were. Every guy should use him as an example of muscle goals.) come up to us to say we both looked familiar. I think he was trying to hit on my partner but regardless, I didn't feel ignored or put down.

    Not one time have I felt like I shouldn't be there. I'm Facebook friends with the owner, half the instructors, and a dozen people that go to the gym. And I've only been going since August! I'm still in the obese 2 category and it isn't a question that I belong there. No one, not a single person, goes into the gym because they are perfect. EVERYONE goes because they have progress to make.
  • Danp
    Danp Posts: 1,561 Member
    In my experience the extremely rare occasion when someone in the gym is judging you it's actually a good thing. 99.9% of the time the judgement is how impressed they are that you've gotten off your butt and making an effort to better yourself.

    It's a positive judgement =)

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