Anyone feel self conscious exercising in public?

BrandNewMia

Yes, in the beginning it was almost scary to workout at the gym! But once I figured out all the equipment and started going there regularly, I felt like I belonged there. Now, after several months, people recognize me and tell me that they have noticed my progress - it's motivation to keep going!

Just remember - you are there for YOU, and no one else.

lovetowrite73

Not at all. I was on a cruise a couple of weeks ago and would work out in the fitness room every morning by myself. The room had windows on the deck, where other people were walking or running. Every now and then I would see someone look at me but it didn't bother me as I'm working out for my benefit. I couldn't care less what other people think.

KitKB

If you can, get a trainer even if just for one session. He or she will show you what to do and give you reps and sets and everything. Then the next time you know exactly what to do! If you can't do that, then look for a friendly face and ask one of the muscle guys. If not that, ask someone who works there. I'm trying to get better at 1) asking for help and 2) not worrying about what others think. Most people are nice and want to help. And if they're not willing to...find someone else!

I had a trainer set me up with the cable-pull strength machines (I think that's what they're called) and I have reps and weights set up for me. I didn't think I'd like strength training as much as I do! So it wouldn't be very hard to transition... but yeah. Maybe. Once I get a little more comfortable, I might do that. Thanks for the advice!

kitinboots

A little. I run on a very public road (I feel safer there, since there have been attacks recently in the woods) and for a start that means either running past a local bar/hotel where I know lots of the people or doing that awkward turn around and head back the way I came. Both options make me very self conscious, as do the walk/run intervals of c25k.
I just hold my head up high and focus on the road.

marie6661

i just started mon and i was like uhhhh i dont wanna go but i go early not as many people plus thats why im going is so i can get in shape and not worry about what people think anymore

Alissa_Sal

I used to be that way. The I started telling myself JFDI (Just Effing Do it) every time I started to talk myself into being a baby. I am a strong, beautiful woman and there is no reason why I shouldn't be proud of my efforts.

And you should feel the same way

Absolutely! You shouldn't feel like you have to sneak around - you're not doing anything shameful. Quite the opposite, in fact. You are doing something that you should feel proud of - you're working out and taking care of yourself. Get on with your bad self!!!!

babydbones

I get that way when I'm around certain people. Especailly close friends.

BlueAventer

I bought a gym membership, but the thing is, the only gym in this new little town I'm living in is very small. I've worked out at big gyms with different floors where you could kind of feel like you're hiding away a little. But at this little gym, everyone is in this space together. There are no other gyms around here and I just feel self conscious about people seeing me. The thing is, I am moving out of this town in December so I shouldn't care, but the thought of people seeing me just gives me pause everytime I consider going. But at home, I won't work out. I need an elliptical. Videos are too easy to quit and aren't fun.

Anyone else feel similarly? How do you overcome it?

I used to have the same problem. I hated feeling like everyone was staring at me, and it was a HUGE physiological struggle for me to go to any gym. But, realize that no one is paying any attention to you. It may be hard to believe, but everyone's in their own mind when they're working out. The only thing that draws attention is crazy-weird workout clothing.

vodkalady

Whenever people talk about feeling self conscious at a gym (inlcuding myself)... I ask this question - Would you rather have people see you in a gym working up a sweat orrrrrrrrr sitting at McDonald's chomping on a burger and fries with a soda?

Just some "food for thought." Stay strong and go to the gym - YOU CAN DO THIS!

you said it ,,,,,,, but i still feel the same...... wish i didnt......I to have a membership..... I have not gone since feb / march 2010.....for a few reasons # 1 got degenritive disc diease in lower back,,,,, so when it chatches i'm usually done for a few days for moving certain ways......#2 husband works shift 2wks day 6:00am to 5:00pm 2wks nights 2:30pm to 3:00am......#3 got 2 kids with no sitter we know around us.......I would usually take my mp3 to listen to that helped some ,,,, if I did not have it i worried even more about what people were thinking or if they were watching me......

Good luck ......and keep up the great work.........

hazelnutflav

I put on my headphones in the car and turn off when I leave....as far as I know I am the only one in there.

truer words were never spoken, also a friend once told me.

"PEOPLE DONT THINK ABOUT YOU,AS MUCH AS YOU THINK ABOUT PEOPLE THINKING ABOUT YOU".

RunHardBeStrong

I used to be that way. The I started telling myself JFDI (Just Effing Do it) every time I started to talk myself into being a baby. I am a strong, beautiful woman and there is no reason why I shouldn't be proud of my efforts.

And you should feel the same way

Awesome atitude! I was self concious at first to but I got over quickly by saying 'eff it and telling myself I'm there for me, NO ONE ELSE!!!

rknaynayzzy13

I too just ignore everyone else in the gym. Not exactly ignore, I am friendly and will say hi to others, but I figure, we are ALL there to get sweaty and who wants to look at that? Let this issue roll off your back, you have more important things to put your concentration on. Good Luck!

kburns0709

I have felt this way also, I guess everyone probably does. I go to the gym on campus at my school so all the athletes are in there bench pressing like 400 pounds of whatever and I've got my little fives strugglin'. But after a while you just gotta do you and do whatever you're there to do. It's about you not them.

JustBreathSB

I used to be that way. I live in a small town and go to a small gym too. I often see people I know there. I just keep in mind that I'm there to get healthy. What I do is only my business and nobody elses. I love to listen to music while im at the gym, it helps to tune everything out.

ETA:
I just went through and read some of the other posts, I feel like I repeated them all almost to a T lol. But yeah, its just something you have to learn to get over. When I go to the gym I don't judge others, the bigger people that are there I think its great that their there taking control of their body. I love the gym, I've even made a few friends there.

SMarie1219

I run...VERY slowly. I could walk as fast as I run. LOL But I've been told it's the change in gait that's important so I keep at it. I'm getting faster day by day. Anyway, whenever I feel embarrassed about how slow I run, I think to myself that no matter how slow I am, I'm faster than the guy on the couch. I'm moving and that's what's important.

I'm joining a gym this week and I am feeling many of the same things you are. But I keep telling myself that I am working out and I am bettering myself. Do you pay attention or judge anyone else when you're there? Probably not. You're focused on yourself. So is everyone else I've never thought a bad thing about anyone at the gym (other than you know the obnoxious people ) so I assume no one is thinking anything bad about me

I don't pay attention to the others in the gym unless they are one of those groaning guys they kind of annoy me (my brother is one of them lol) Other than that I do not pay attention and I don't think anyone else is watching me. I go to the gym and am so focused on what I'm doing I don't even notice anyone else. Most people that go to the gym are pushing themselves so they are thinking of themselves and not watching those around them. IMHO

Mommawarrior

Don't worry about what anyone thinks about you working out at the gym. They are there to workout too and probably aren't even paying attention to you.

lannashelley

I always take my Mum or my sister with me who are also curvy ladies like me. We end up laughing so much at eachothers red faces and confusion on the machines that we probably loose more calories giggling than we do exercising and we don't even notice everyone else around us.

irongirl73

Never. If they don't like what they see, then they should look away. Besides, I like to people watch!

catwrangler

I wasted the whole first month of my year long membership because I couldn't work up the nerve to go in! Now I love it! I see all kinds of people there, some like me, some older folks, a sweet mentally challenged group comes in on weekends and then there are the muscle men and trainer types. I watch them out of the corner of my eye to see if I can copy their moves :laugh:

seriously, get over it asap because you will love it!

RJSuperMan

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US FEEL THE SAME WAY YOU DO. That's our secret. Everyone's looking around or down to either compare or avoid. God bless the USA! I travel a lot, so I'm in a lot very different gyms. If I walk in the Alpha male, I still worry about the females and who's chasing me (hopefully one in the same). If I walk in the weaking, I worry who's trying to dominate and show me up. So how do we all get past it and keep going day in and day out? Look in the mirror. Are you proud you had the courage to show up today? Are you proud you had the courage to stay? And are you proud you had the courage; the disipline; the strength; and the tenacity to give it everything you had, every moment you were there? Now look around. No one's there but you.

(But if you see anyone, take a 10 lb dumbell and just start swingin'!)

FattyWantADoughnut

I feel self concious every time I leave the house. I bought an exercise bike and exercise DVDs so I dont have to face the shame of public scrutiny.

dad106

I go to the gym all the time.. and i'm totally cool as a cucumber when I'm on the treadmill/elliptical. Stick me in the weight section by myself and I'm like a fish outta water.. even tho I have been working with a trainer since January and clearly know how to work the machines and what exercises I need to do.

I honestly find that an Ipod and some headphones do wonders.. as does an empty workout studio where I can lug my dumbbells and medicine ball into and just do my thing without what feels like the whole world watching.