Scared of gyms!!!!!!!!

emjaycazz

If you are not comfortable with it to the point that it impedes your progress or your goals, then it would be your personal choice not to go to the gym. There are so many forms of exercise that can be done without having to set one foot in one.

However, to me personally a fitness journey involves getting outside of your comfort zone in all respects (and not just physical). My motto in life is from Eleanor Roosevelt: "You must do the thing you think you cannot do." I guess you have to ask yourself what can be gained from conquering this particular fear.

laddibugg

I will admit i was a little self conscious because I was worried the equipment was going to be hard to use, not because I'm fat (which I am). I did have some trouble but the gym staff was very helpful and didn't sound judge-y at all .

eksero2k

From my experience, nobody there cares about anyone except themselves/their gym buddies (This goes for most people anyway!)

butterflies02875

I just joined Planet Fitness and it's not so bad.. I look at it like this , there a reason there looking and there a reason why they are there too..

deksgrl

Oh, you could also try one of those ladies fitness places like Curves. I think it's supposed to be really fun and not at all intimidating from what I've heard. (Never tried it.)

Curves is fine for someone who never works out to get started, but there isn't any way to progress really. The machines do not have adjustable weights, and it is just a generic routine for all, no real way to make it harder or personalize.

jess135177

I was the same way. Do they have personal trainers at the gym? I did a few sessions just so I can learn the equipment and get more comfortable. And like everyone else said...no one is going to be watching you. Good luck!

ksandy1224

I admire the heavy guys more than the skinny ones.

And seriously, no-one is looking at you. Meat heads are looking at themselves; the serious ones are absorbed in their own world. Nothing at all to worry about.

Seriously, this is how I feel too. I look at the people that have lots of weight to lose and I have so much respect for them that they're willing to come and face their fears. There is a girl at my gym that lost over 100 lbs., she was in my Step class and after a few months you could just see the weight dropping off of her. I liked complimenting her on her success, and she sure enjoyed getting the compliments. She was very proud of herself, which she was entitled. You should see her now, I hardly recognize her, I thought she had graduated and moved on!!!!

You can find just about anything for free on YouTube. I attended my first Les Mills BodyCombat class on Monday. Wow, talk about sweating. I'm pretty sure there would be the entire hour class from an instructor on YouTube. A few months of that and you'll be proud to go to the gym, if you didn't already decide to go before then. And after one class I would have no hesitation to use what I learned to protect myself, a swift kick, if you know what I mean.

Good luck!!! I wish you the best! Congratulations for getting inspired!

nikkylyn

JUST DO IT!!

They are not watching...trust me they are there to get their workout on. The only thing I have run into is men checking me out. While it is annoying!! I just ignore it I mean what can you do. Just bring an ipod some headphones and go to town.... LOL.

But for real you have to just face your fear even if you lose a bunch of weight that insecurity will still be there. You just gotta get over it and face it head on.

I love my gym and it was awkward at first but now its like my second home. I know myself if im at home I will always have the excuse of finding something else that needs to be done and my workout will get pushed to the back burner. If I go to the gym no kids no interrupt me no husband, no house chores, no homework. nothing.. I know when Im there this is my hour to myself and working out is all I need to do at that moment.

salsera_barbie

I think this is really common fear but the reality is NOONE cares. As long as you are working out, noone care. When people care is when you go and do a light stroll on the treadmill for 10 minutes, then sit on the weight machines without using them. As long as your not taking up space NOONE cares about you, they are there to workout.

nikkylyn

I joined the gym a week yesterday and I still feel like everyone is watching me. I'm just ignoring it and thinking that we're all there to work out, so what if I'm the largest person in there?! (also this isn't always the case, people of all shapes and sizes go to the gym). Also, you'll probably find that the people you are convinced are watching you are actually having the exact same fear!

When I see a rather large person working out I am inspired. I am amazed and I think good for them. I bet noone is watching you thinking bad things probably just thinking wow this guy is awesome and is getting healthy good for him.

Hope this helps.

MsWallwoman

Its a common fear, but the reality of it is that most people at the gym are so focused on their own workouts that they probably don't even notice who's around. When I first started, I went SUPER early when it wasn't busy, to get familiar with the gym and the machines and with time got more comfortable with it. Now I don't care. I put on my headphones and I am the only one in the gym. Lol. Mostly, I am considerate of others, but I don't pay attention to what people look like, what they are doing, who they are... Maybe you could try a ladies only gym or try going with a friend.

As for a good DVD...
I like Jari Love's DVD's. They are a great workout, fun and up beat, have modifications, focus on good form so you don't get hurt and she has a awesome variety so you can find one that interests you, and or have lots of options to switch it up. They are a great price and she has some that are an hour, some that are 30minutes, some that you can do either or. You can find her on the net if you google "Jari Love"

Good luck on your journey. Take one step at a time and remember, self talk is important so be nice to yourself and think positive. :flowerforyou:

laddibugg

I admire the heavy guys more than the skinny ones.

And seriously, no-one is looking at you. Meat heads are looking at themselves; the serious ones are absorbed in their own world. Nothing at all to worry about.

By skinny, I am assuming you mean 'fit'. But skinny skinny people could be intimated too! They might be afraid to look weak next to the dude who can bench 200 lbs.

waltcote

I think the rec center gyms are a good choice because they usually have good equipment and there are all ages the. I went early in the morning and alot of seniors were there at 5 when the doors opened plus other people. The social atmosphere really helps I think because not only are you working out but you look forward to seeing friends that you make there.

Myhaloslipped

Me too. I think my trainer is trying to kill me via strength training. No, just kidding. She's very sweet, and it's good for me.

qtgonewild

I have the same fears. So now i've told myself, when I lose 50 pounds, I will reward myself with a gym membership. I just dont feel comfortable going, yet. I really wish I did, because I really want to go.

KathleenMurry

As the subject box reads - I am waaaaay too nervous to even consider entering a gym, as I have an absolutely ridiculous paranoia that I'm being watched!!! I'm hoping that the more I lose weight the more manageable this stupid fear will become!

In the meantime, I am enlisting a fitness DVD (not the best I know, but at least it's something!) to help with keeping active. Can anyone recommend a half decent one?!?!!


Thanks

Narcissism. You think everyone is interested in you. Guess what, unless you're naked or insanely out of this world smoking hot, no one at the gym is looking at you.

salsera_barbie

I have the same fears. So now i've told myself, when I lose 50 pounds, I will reward myself with a gym membership. I just dont feel comfortable going, yet. I really wish I did, because I really want to go.

Why would you let fear control your life? What other areas of your life is fear controling your life?

CollieFit

You can either let yourself be controlled by your fears or... not.

spfldpam

I had never ever been in a gym in my life till Jan of 2013. I joined Planet Fitness. I was nervous the first time I went in and used the equpment. I had been on a exercise bike in physical therapy but had never done a treamill or elliptical machine or weight machines. I was a member till June 2013 then I went to a differentgym that had more classes and a pool to do water work out classes. I was getting bored at PF with just machines is why I left there but for $10 a month it was a great start for me. The new gym cost more a month but offers a lot more too. I love working out a the gym!

People aren't watching others work out as they are concentrating on their own workouts I feel. I do have workout dvds I use at home and also so a mini strength training workout at home early in the morning before going to work and have a bike I ride too for bike rides. There are alot of videos on youtube of workouts you can do at home too that won't cost you anything to use too!
Good luck!

As the subject box reads - I am waaaaay too nervous to even consider entering a gym, as I have an absolutely ridiculous paranoia that I'm being watched!!! I'm hoping that the more I lose weight the more manageable this stupid fear will become!

In the meantime, I am enlisting a fitness DVD (not the best I know, but at least it's something!) to help with keeping active. Can anyone recommend a half decent one?!?!!


Thanks

earvizu92

No one is watching you honey, they are all there for the same reason!!! It took me a while to overcome my fear so give yourself time!

SLLRunner

As the subject box reads - I am waaaaay too nervous to even consider entering a gym, as I have an absolutely ridiculous paranoia that I'm being watched!!! I'm hoping that the more I lose weight the more manageable this stupid fear will become!

In the meantime, I am enlisting a fitness DVD (not the best I know, but at least it's something!) to help with keeping active. Can anyone recommend a half decent one?!?!!


Thanks

Welcome, Erin!

I used to be terrified of gyms, until I started going to one. Believe me, nobody is watching because they are too busy exercising. Besides, I've made lots of gym buddies there who are kind and supportive.

There is nothing wrong with fitness CDs. Lots of people use them.

CollieFit

Narcissism. You think everyone is interested in you. Guess what, unless you're naked or insanely out of this world smoking hot, no one at the gym is looking at you.

:laugh:

Cre8veLifeR

Your fear is real and I think a LOT of people feel that way (I know I did) but 7 weeks ago I started going and lifting weights and it has changed my life. Seriously. I go at the same time so I see a lot of the same people there.

Either hire a trainer if you can afford it, to put you on a routine and show you how to use the equipment, or go to body building .com and look for Jamie Eason's livefit program. It's a 12 week program that shows you exactly what to do, and videos how to do it. Once you have the confidence that you know what you are doing, and you FEEL how good it feels to conquer your fear of the gym, you will feel fabulous!

If you really want to shed a few lbs first, walk or hike - great cardio! Do you have a Wii or Xbox? I have the zumba for xbox and it's FUN and a great workout!

MissMormie

Let them watch you being awesome. Regardless of how well you might do compared to some other people at the gym you're doing so much better than all those people that don't work out as well. Just keep in mind that you are awesome every time you work out. You are.

emjaycazz

I think the rec center gyms are a good choice because they usually have good equipment and there are all ages the. I went early in the morning and alot of seniors were there at 5 when the doors opened plus other people.

I am jealous and would love to lift with a bunch of inspiring seniors around me. However, I think my progress would be impeded because I would probably want to hug all of them.

Lupercalia

I understand your nervousness and that you're uncomfortable with the idea of working out in front of people. I was really fat and just worked out at home for the first couple months. I walked and trained with kettlebells. After a couple of months, I'd lost about 25 lbs, I felt pretty good health-wise and was itching to get back to lifting weights. I had to join a gym to do that.

I had that same stupid fear that I was "too fat" for the gym, even though I'd grown up active and spent lots and lots of time in gyms before I was ever fat. So I knew people weren't standing around pointing and laughing at fat chicks, watching other people incessantly, or anything like that. But I still had that feeling that I didn't belong there.

I just put it out of my mind and marched to the gym and joined up one day. I went in and started lifting the very next day, because I knew if I sat around waiting for my brain to be ok with it, it would never happen. I'm so glad I just got over myself and went...I go 5 or 6 times a week now, and am a regular fixture there in the mornings. Nobody was ever rude to me, nobody stared...I rarely even speak to anyone more than a couple words here and there, because we're all busy and there to get our training done.

I really think that if you or anyone else reading wants to go to the gym, but is having this sort of anxiety about it, the best thing is to just go and immediately jump in to whatever activities you're hoping to do, whether that is lifting weights, taking the yoga class, cardio, whatever.

ticiaelizabeth

Power 90 is fantastic. It seriously changed my body. It even gave me some booty which is a huge feat on my apple shaped body!!

Annie984

I joined a gym for women only and its awesome, I feel so comfortable and everyone is focus doing their own thing, I used to feel like you because ive gained so much weight after having my daughter two years ago and thought everyone was going to look at and judge me but its not the case at all. If you have a gym that's for women only in your area I recommend it , im not saying that Gym for men and women are bad but me personally feel much better at a women's gym. best of luck

waltparrish

We have allot of muscle heads at my gym but what I started to realize is that they do not seem to be judging anyone (at least at my particular gym). If anything it's actually opposite, if you engage any of these guys they are willing to discuss their training and help in some cases.

Annie984

I admire the heavy guys more than the skinny ones.

And seriously, no-one is looking at you. Meat heads are looking at themselves; the serious ones are absorbed in their own world. Nothing at all to worry about.

LOL @Meat heads are looking at themselves....