Gyms are Intimidating

rawrkeia

So, I have a membership to an awesome fitness center since I'm a student. However, I have this extreme... fear (?) of gyms. I always get extremely uncomfortable and just do not want to be there. I feel like people are staring at me and mentally making snide comments. I have a very paranoid personality.
I've only ever felt comfortable a few times. That was during Zumba with my best friend at our local gym. However, I can't go there anymore. So I'm very much so trying to put off going to the gym, but I know I need to.

Is there any rational way to get over this and just get excited to go?
And also, I'm a bit unsure as what to even do in a gym. I'll be honest. I've only ever done a class. I feel like I wouldn't even know where to start.

Thanks.

ninerbuff

Biggest fear I see for new people.................people watching. If you go into a gym I can almost guarantee you that people are WAY more concerned about looking at themselves than others.

Get a weight room orientation. They are usually free. The more you know the easier it is.

Rae6503

Can you try and go at a less crowded time? College students don't like to wake up early. The gym at my school is empty at 8am...

dad106

Honestly, it's not that big of deal... most people are too absorbed in themselves to be worrying about what your doing.

Bring an Ipod with some headphones and you'll be A-Ok.

As ninerbuff said, look into a weight room assessment.. and most will give you some sort of cardio program to go along with it.

Sagelit

Also, bring music. I find I don't think about the other people as much if I'm listening to awesome music and tuning out their noise.

starracer23

Don't think about it...JUST DO IT!!

Warm up (if you want to) 10-15 mins walking on a treadmill or using the elliptical...then hit the weights. Most weight machines have a description of what each machine does and how it works. Do weights for 30-45mins and then hit the treadmill or elliptical for another 30mins or so and you are done. (That is what I do) I will mix it up now and again.

Heather75

Biggest fear I see for new people.................people watching. If you go into a gym I can almost guarantee you that people are WAY more concerned about looking at themselves than others.

Get a weight room orientation. They are usually free. The more you know the easier it is.

This. People are more likely to be watching themselves than watching you. No one will be judging you any more than people do in the rest of the world. Just go. It will get easier and more comfortable every time.

smcassaro

I would suggest paying for at least one session with a personal trainer. They can show you what to do so you don't feel like you are wondering around aimlessly.

bry_all01

other people are there for the same reason you are, so no worries. You can do this.

ak_in_ak

it is something you will have to just get over. I had never been to a gym in my life a year ago and was so scared, a friend went with me once and I realized it wasn't that bad. start by doing 30 minutes on the treadmill or something and go from there. there are all types of people at the gym, there is nothing to be scared about.

rwd5046

Biggest fear I see for new people.................people watching. If you go into a gym I can almost guarantee you that people are WAY more concerned about looking at themselves than others.

Get a weight room orientation. They are usually free. The more you know the easier it is.

Ain't that the truth.......I agree.

crystalmichelle82

I dont go to the gym. too many creepers in my opinion.

CarlieGareth

I totally get that, I was the same, I felt I was been stared at, I think the best remedy is to just get yourself in there, stick some loud music on your mp3 and forget the world around you, youll forget about any staring or anyone around you and enjoy making yourself feel and look great

dk_runs

Biggest fear I see for new people.................people watching. If you go into a gym I can almost guarantee you that people are WAY more concerned about looking at themselves than others.

Get a weight room orientation. They are usually free. The more you know the easier it is.

Good advice.

I do know how you feel as I have had issues with Social Anxiety Disorder over the years. Oddly, joining a gym and doing some of the classes there have helped my overcome that. Once you establish a routine, get to know some of the folks at the gym, you will really enjoy going and actually look forward to it. As many people have stated on this post, ask for help. That's what the gym staff is there for. As for my SAD; I simply don't care what people think of me anymore and it's no longer an issue. I hope you are able to overcome your paranoia and enjoy getting fit.

hazelnutflav

hello,

i can certainly understand how you feel, when i first started going to the gym is was almost 300lbs and felt very out of place just walking thr the door i also went with a friend who helped me realize that my way of thinking was unfounded, i also felt that people were looking at me and often used that as a excuse not to work out but she helped me realized not to think that way and dont make excuses by telling me one thing:

"people dont thnk about you, as much as YOU think about people thinking about you"......i got it.

i have since changed my attitude to the point where i go to the gym 5xs a wk, i put on my headphones, do my workout and head home, as far as im concened i as the only one there.

as far as what to do at the gym? that is up to you why not just try the treadmill for 15min, then move to the ellipitcal machine etc.. just to see what you like to do you mentioned you like the classes, try different classes, what is yr goal? do you want to loose wt or maintain your current weight? just give some thought as to what you want to do then build a routine around it, it may take a while to get usto using different machines or weights so just try it all im sure you will find something you like to do there.

oh and dont forget your headpohnes.

hope this helps.

Heather75

I dont go to the gym. too many creepers in my opinion.

Oh good. Now she can relax and stop worrying.

dmpizza

No one is looking at you.!!!!!
Its really bad gym etiquette to look around.

Start with a treadmill and enjoy.
You might also want to see if there are trainers or attendants that can at least show you how to use each machine.

billsica

Suck it up cupcake.
Guess what, let me tell you, in life your going to get a lot worse things. A lot worse.

I have a huge social anxiety disorder. It took a long time to be able to be comfortable. Apathy and anger are usually the best ways for me to deal with it. In reality no one gives a #### about what you are doing at the gym.

Egger29

Your fear is not an uncommon one. The best way to break it is to know you're doing something that's right for you and you're there for yourself alone.

Another thing to keep in mind: In my experience, 90% of the people in gyms are simply mimicking things that other people are doing, with no real concept or understanding of what and why they are doing what they are doing. Just because someone's big doesn't mean he knows what he's doing!!

On top of that, most people are too busy with their own routines to notice anyone else (As you will be too busy with yours).

Talk to the Fitness Centre monitors and have someone take you around to show you how to do the exercises properly. That's what they're there for, and if you know what you're doing...then you're in the 10% of the people that will be getting the most out of their time there. :-)

Along with that, there are some great resource people on here who are more than willing to help out anytime you have questions.

Cheers!

prettyfitchick

I felt that way the first time went to the Y I realized Know one was actually looking at me i was the one looking at them but I would try to bring a friend or make friends with some of the people there most people are more are looking them selfs or into there ipod

Julieta17

I used to feel the same way but like everyone else is saying… people usually are concentrating on themselves. Take your music and just focus on you and you’ll get comfortable soon. Remember, Everyone at the gym is there for the same reasons you are. :happy: Good luck!

chyloet

I hear ya ... I see that everyone has said that no one is looking at you and that they're more preoccupied with themselves and I know that it's true but it doesn't ease that self conscious feeling.

You just have to push past it and eventually you will feel more comfortable and make that gym your own.

I'm one to talk though, I've been thinking of joining my local gym for the cardio machines but am tempted to just buy an elliptical for my place, I actually think that I will use it more than a gym membership.

I have done the gym thing in the past and know that eventually I did become comfortable, but even then that walk from the entrance to my machine of choice still felt very awkward. And heaven forbid my machine not be available then I just didn't know what to do with myself. lol! Sounds pretty silly, I know.

ShapeUpSidney

I dont go to the gym. too many creepers in my opinion.

It's so annoying when people say stuff like that. If you have "too many creepers" to deal with, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG

I'm an attractive girl, and have been a dedicated gym rat for 10 years. It's never been a problem. People who complain about "creepers" are usually a) self absorbed b) making a poor choice about the low-rent, classless gym they join or c) putting some vibes out there to garner that attention

To the OP - put your head phones in and have a plan going in. Tell yourself that you need to get through a great workout in only one hour. It will provide focus and keep you busy if you have a sense of urgency. The more time you have to walk around casually from machine to machine, the more time you have to focus on what other people are doing and thinking.

Keep it up, and you'll feel like a regular in no time!

cdstadt

I felt the same way and never EVER went to my college gym.

I started going to a gym down the street from me and it's not anything like I thought. People are staring at their machines or at televisions, not other people. The people that work there are all fit and muscle-y, but they're funny and nice.

I can start a 40 minute elliptical barely noticing the people around me and when I'm done there are totally different people. You don't even notice! So they aren't going to judge you or anything.

cedarhurst2006

Just walk in the door. See if they offer an orientation. My gym, planet fitness, offers classes and orientations to learn certain machines - upper body, lower body, abs, etc. Good way to learn the machines and your way around the gym. I, too, was intimidated to go to the gym. When I first walked into the gym and for the first 2 months, I had a cane. Don't you think I stuck out like a sore thumb???? But understand we are all there for the same reason, to improve or continue to be a fitter and more healthy person. Yes, people will look at you and yes, I look at people. People watching is what happens - no different then the mall except you are exercising. Concentrate on breaking a sweat and you will be fine!

dayzeerock

I totally get this. I box, so I go to a boxing gym (it also has all the weight and cardio machines as well). When I signed up, I was informed by the owner, that I was the first woman to join the gym in three years! THAT made me nervous as hell. Did I get looked at? Hell yes I got looked at...for about five minutes. Then guess what? After the initial "shock" of a woman being in the gym, everyone went back to doing what they were there to do. No big deal. But in taking that step, I found a new love in boxing. I would have never known how amazing boxing is if I hadn't taken that risk. Jump in with both feet, or you'll never know what awesome things you're missing!

chedeco

I know some of those people who make snide comments about overweight people at the mall and whatnot and I can truthfully say that I've heard them say "Good for her" and "At least she's working on it" when they see overweight people at the gym. Perhaps that helps a little?

LexieSweetheart

I too was intimidated joining the gym.My best advice is get to know the gym staff. That helped my fear tremendously.Also go at a time when it is not that crowded so you won't feel too intimidated

bmqbonnie

Think about it. When you go to the gym, how much time do YOU spend staring at other people? If you do catch a glance at someone, how often are you thinking something negative about them? Not very often, right? I hope not!

Other people at the gym are no more or less judgmental than you are. No one goes to the gym to stare at other people and judge them.

And really, even if they are? What harm does that do you? NONE. And they are wasting valuable workout time

I agree though that the uni gym is a ghost town in the am, so if that makes you feel better then that's when you should go. It's packed late afternoon/evening.

christine24t

Can you try and go at a less crowded time? College students don't like to wake up early. The gym at my school is empty at 8am...

I go at 8 am at my school and it's dead!!! The gym gets crowded after classes and in the early evening, so if you are trying to avoid seeing a lot of people, go in the morning, like between 7 and 12.

ninerbuff

I know some of those people who make snide comments about overweight people at the mall and whatnot and I can truthfully say that I've heard them say "Good for her" and "At least she's working on it" when they see overweight people at the gym. Perhaps that helps a little?

You do realize that at one time or another many people at the gym were overweight and eventually worked down to becoming leaner?