How do you stay motivated to work out alone?

SweetestLibby

I work out alone 95% of the time. It's me time. My time. Don't bother me time. The other 5% is with my trainer and my kaishido class. I'm also comfortable being alone (and I HATE workout with other people) but I understand that not everyone is. Try taking a few classes if they are offered by your gym.

Pretty_me321

I don't want to be a hypocrite because I don't go to the gym. But When I used to go, what helped was music. I absolutely adored being in my own world and listening to my music. Also, aerobic classes because you are with other people and you really feel like you're part of a group.

lambchristie

I do feel better once I am there. It's just psyching myself up to go there. When I walk in the door is when I feel uncomfortable. And just thinking about that makes me cringe. So I often times (like now) procrastinate going by just trying to find someone to go with me.

Get up off your chair and just go. You said you are fine once you arrive and get through the door. Nothing to be afraid of, seriously. I go to a small gym ... and went alone ... became gym friends with the people there and now I feel 'lost' when they are not around. That being said ... my gym is different...its not a big store (like 24-Hr Fitness or LA Fitness or the like) and I have gone to those place too. People are there for a person and sad to say, from my experience they don't even know you are there. Go, work out, be kind to yourself, and enjoy your workout. YOU CAN DO THIS!

Ely82010

There are plenty of people at the gym, so you will not be alone. Take a fitness class (Pilates, aerobics, yoga, etc) and you will be around people that also want to exercise. That is what I do.

I love to workout at the gym too because I am not shy at all, and I prefer to work out alone. I am my own motivation. People are too busy doing their own routine to stare at others. And if they do, just flip them with a dumbbell and continue with your workout.

Oops, you beat me to it :drinker:

Yes, I did! :laugh:

Happy_10yr

I work out alone 95% of the time. It's me time. My time. Don't bother me time. The other 5% is with my trainer and my kaishido class. I'm also comfortable being alone (and I HATE workout with other people) but I understand that not everyone is. Try taking a few classes if they are offered by your gym.

I agree.
It's focused concentrated time with yourself.
You're the only one that is going to do the work that improves your health.
Team mates at the gym can help and offer support from time to time.
For me, time is precious, get in......bang it out......impose my will.....unload some stress....see tangible accomplishments....("I moved that all by myself"...wtg me).

But everyone is different.......gotta find what works for you.

HiKaren

Just do it... Like Nike....

So what happens if you find a friend to go with you, and then they poop out on going with you???

Does that mean you poop out too??? You abandon your whole working out plan?? Noooooo.

If you go for a while, you may find some friends there that regularly go... And then you'd see them there everytime you go...

Those are the kind of friends that help to motivate... The ones who are ALREADY there working out.... NOT ones you have to drag there.

Think about it. The one person you can count on the most, to keep you motivated, is YOU. And the second, are the ones who are ALREADY at the gym working out. You could make friends with one of the teachers.. Thats a concept..

BurningAway

I stand in front of my mirror completely naked, then i jump up and down three times, whatever parts are still jiggleing are my motivation too continue to workout. Simple but effective.

Ottawa_Randy

Tried the gym twice and now do it at home ofr Sports in leagues as an extra player.
In Canada there is lots of groups (CitynameSportsandSocialClub) that gets you motivated easily, you make new friends, you start in Rec and work up slowly. I've done Dodgeball, Sports of All Sorts, and Volleyball. I moved into INtermediate and do Dodgeball 3hrs/week now along with weights and some cardio at home.

HandyASH

If you can afford it get a personal trainer, they can show you around and you might feel more comfortable. Then you will know a name to a face when you go there more.

JoRocka

I do feel better once I am there. It's just psyching myself up to go there. When I walk in the door is when I feel uncomfortable. And just thinking about that makes me cringe. So I often times (like now) procrastinate going by just trying to find someone to go with me.

Get up off your chair and just go. You said you are fine once you arrive and get through the door. Nothing to be afraid of, seriously. I go to a small gym ... and went alone ... became gym friends with the people there and now I feel 'lost' when they are not around. That being said ... my gym is different...its not a big store (like 24-Hr Fitness or LA Fitness or the like) and I have gone to those place too. People are there for a person and sad to say, from my experience they don't even know you are there. Go, work out, be kind to yourself, and enjoy your workout. YOU CAN DO THIS!

I kind of agree- to a point about the big box gym. I got to a LAFIT and it has a community of people- you get used to seeing day in and day out- it's just bigger- so it takes longer- and you have to BE there in the moment. I have a lot of gym buddies- I say hi to- spot- get spots form hang out chat- see how they are doing. The community is there- it's just different-it's not 'quiet' as cozy- it's more like a small condo type place-still friendly- but not as unfriendly as say an apartment comlex vs than back woods neighborhood which is a lot more intimate.

Scotland_forever

Honestly, I love going to the gym by myself. I attend group classes often, and people will talk about their day and are very friendly.

somerisagirlsname

I hate most other people, so there's that.

jjscholar

Actually, in my case, I am alone about half of the time when I work out... That is when I do resistance exercises or when I water jog... I am a member of a small walking group that meets and walks 5 K on Thursday. In addition, three times a week I go to my friend's Zumba class.

As far as motivation is concerned, I make the time to work out at least four days a week. Lately, since I am on furlough from my job at the Kennedy Space Center, I try to spend as much time working out as possible.

SugarBaby71

I'm kind of in the same boat as the OP. Moved here 3 years ago, but my kids are older and I don't meet other parents like I did when they were little. I work from home so I am fairly isolated. I was working out alone at home, but in July decided that maybe I might meet like minded people at the gym. I haven't yet.

BUT I know that my motivation has to come from within it doesn't matter if I have 10 friends to workout with or none. If I don't want it badly enough then it's not going to happen. So, I have stopped worrying about making friends at the gym and started really focusing on working hard and feeling good.

Just go and do it for yourself.

socajam

I really like my gym. I don't think it's boring, and I have an upgraded membership so I get free tanning (which is an awesome deal) I get a discount because I am a student. I like going, just not alone.

Were you born alone. If yes, then there is the answer to your question. If you keep waiting on someone to do something it will never get done. You owe it to yourself and nobody else.

LadyBugLex17

I workout alone daily. I actually prefer it now.
People will look at you, whatever. You may mess up here or there, whatever.

You just gotta do it. Don't think about it.

bernied262

Not to sound harsh- but learn to be comfortable going alone.

The more you do, the better it gets. Go in there, music in your ears and focus on what you are there to do, and not the people around you. Only way to conquer a fear is to face it head on.

^^^ I completely agree with that. Yes, the first few times are hard, but then ir comes routine and it gets easier. The gym is my second home now LOL

RobP1192

I used to always want to go to the gym with a partner, but being that my friend is inconsistent, i've learned to go on my own when i need to. I actually find that i workout better alone, because the tempo seems higher. It's nice to have that push and that support though. Some people really do need it. I think it's a mental thing though, something that you can change with practice. Just get in your car and go. If you stay consistent with your schedule, you'll probably see the same people in the gym all the time, and maybe you can find a workout buddy like that.

jrodgers239

I find it very hard to get motivated to workout alone when my husband is unable to workout at the same time as me. Really what it comes down to is just doing it. For me, at least, it's harder to put on my workout clothes and get ready to workout than actually doing it because every ounce of my mentality wants to be lazy and watch tv, but that is exactly why I found myself in the position of needing to lose weight! It's much easier to go to the gym when you have someone with you, but really, you're not going to be able to hold a conversation and get a good workout in at the same time so why worry about going with someone else. When you go alone it allows you to go at your own pace, so just make yourself an awesome playlist to pump you up!

snowdance1

For the last two years, I got my degree BECAUSE I went to the gym. My treadclimber had that stupid plastic book holder hooked on it so I could never see how much longer I still had to go. My grades went up considerably because reading material during and after the workout helped with retention. Others have MP3 players, which must be nicer than simply listening to the selection at the Y. I have found hiking and swimming to supplement my gym time, rather than only going to the gym. Changing it up keeps one mode from becoming too boring. But reading while working out really did help me a lot.

Workout buddies are hit or miss. Sometimes it works well, but most of the time your partner and yourself are not lined up goals/capability level/motivation, etc. If you can fine one great! I've found a few friendly souls in yoga, who never make fun of my inflexibility or inability to do tree pose....

Justsimply67

I would say put a different spin on it...you don't have to go to the gym alone you get to go to the gym alone. You get to go whenever your schedule opens up, and if you had to go with someone else you'd likely have to wait on them to do "one last thing" before they were ready. THEN you'd have to agree on the workout schedule (upper, lower, cardio, light, heavy) AND deal with whatever attitude they had...good mood/bad mood/lazy mood.... So it is good to be able to go the gym alone. Can you tell I perfer to go to the gym alone...lol? I love to spin but my showing up depends only on me and not on if my girlfriend wants to go or perfers Zumba today. Also psych yourself out and up way before your schedule opens up for the day.. I GET TO GO TO THE GYM ALONE TODAY...ME TIME...SILENCE THE NOISE TIME!!!

OMG_Twinkies

My fiancé and I just moved to a new city where I only know a couple of people, but don't see them often. So most of my workouts are alone, but that's how I prefer it, personally. Even tho my fiancé and I are leading a healthier lifestyle together, my workouts are for me.

jackielou867

If I don't feel like going I look at my before picture, then I can't get in there fast enough. On the plus side, I am also very shy, but after a few weeks I did start to talk to some of the regulars. Not that we have become bussom buddies, but it does not seem like a room full if strangers anymore :-)

diolpah

Plenty of self-loathing and a seething hatred for what I see in the mirror is sufficient motivation for me.