Feeling Discouraged. Hate the gym. Help!

Then take the Hatha yoga class and skip step aerobics. Can you sit in on classes? It would give you a way to check out the other available options without being ashamed or discouraged. Maybe the gym isn't for you and you'd do better working with dvd's or being outdoors?

Hi,

I haven't posted much on these boards before but I can understand exactly what you feel. I went on a health kick a couple of years ago and bought a 1 year membership to a gym (at a cost of $995) and went about 3 times in that entire year. I recently signed up again and am loving it so far.

I think the best advice I could give is to do what you like doing. If you liked Yoga then keep at it and maybe just add in some walking/jogging to get that cardio in. Eventually when you see results you will most likely love it.

I have done about 3 step classes now and i still get really lost sometimes and i often stop for a breather. My friend tried it with me for the first time and she couldn't keep it up. You aren't alone, a lot of us struggle with these classes. The teacher says it takes several to get used to it. If you aren't fit then you will get out of breath.

Don't be ashamed, just continue. Doing ANYTHING is better then NOTHING. Whether that's yoga or swimming or walking. Just something to get you moving. A tip if you are bored try listening to music/reading while on a stationary bike or even watching tv shows if you gym has tv. Something so you don't look at the clock and think 'how much longer'.

I'm not sure why you need to like the gym. Many people find ways to exercise outside of the gym. Perhaps cancel your gym membership and join a yoga studio or maybe try Spinga. Then look for activities that you like doing that don't involve a gym.

Wait...Do you think that everyone who goes to the gym regularly enjoys doing it? There's your problem right there.

I personally hate the gym 90% of the time. But it's called "sucking it up" and "getting over myself". I force myself to go, because my discomfort at the gym no longer outweighs my dislike of my fat, saggy *kitten*.

The good news is, once you get used to it and get more comfortable being there, you'll start to to dislike it less and less.

ETA: Legitimately not trying to be rude. Just keeping it real. Oh well if that offends any delicate constitutions.

Totally agree with everyone on go with what you enjoy doing, but for me what I found was I don't hate the gym. What I actually hated was my old gym. I didn't feel that comfortable there, & as a result rarely went. Cue new gym & I really enjoy the atmosphere. As for classes try as many as you can till a couple click for you. If you think you'd like to continue with the step then keep plugging at it (I loathed spin the 1st few times. Now it's a class I never miss!"). If it's not for you then just do the ones you love :happy:

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In classes like that, it's ok to take a breather and a few sips of water....Let your heart rate come down a bit and then get back into the routine when you feel ready! You know your body. You can stand in the back and push it as hard as you need to. You'll be surprised how quickly your body will adapt to the exercise.

Also, I found I really, really enjoy getting my calorie burn outdoors. Long hikes, horseback riding, swimming, gardening... I always burn a ton of calories doing these things and never really feel like I'm working out.

I hate the gym as well, but I LOVE the results I see when I go! I am a future bride (November 2014) and I constantly keep in mind how great I'll look as a fit version of myself walking down that aisle.
The time I spend there is torture, but the endorphins/happiness I feel after a good workout can't replace anything at all. Like someone above mentioned, most people DON'T like going. Just don't make excuses and do what you are currently capable of doing!
I wish you tons of luck and healthiness

I hate the gym. not because i feel lost or embarrassed but because i find it excruciatingly boring. The two times I've gone (to please the boyfriend) it seemed like most people were in there to show off and flex rather than workout and everyon elooked miserable. So I stay away.
All the weight I've dropped has been a result of working out at home with DVD's and running around my neighborhood, which I'v taken up lately. I like variety which is why I love all kinds of workout DVD's. That's just what works for me. So if you don't like the gym, don't go. Find activities that you love to do (i.e yoga, dance, sports) throw in some cardio, walking/jogging at a park or neighborhood and make those your workouts. Don't torture yourself.

I hate the gym, I haven't been to the gym in a year. I work out at home and run outside.

I've had gym memberships that I haven't used before, the guilt of wasting the money was just as bad as the guilt of not exercising. I'm using my membership now, and I'm really loving it. How I learned to love the gym again:

Make appointments with yourself for exercise, exercise should be your priority. I STILL get that feeling before I workout of "Oh god the gym is such a chore I don't want to go", but then I go and I feel GREAT. I put the classes I want to attend at the gym in my GCal/iPhone as recurring appointments. Don't go overboard at first though, if you can get to the gym twice a week you're still doing something positive for your body. Do the classes you enjoy. Mix it up with cardio, classes, weights, so you don't get bored.

Think of the gym as "you" time, as self care. Make playlists of music that inspires you to move. Or download audio books or podcasts to listen to so you don't get bored as you exercise. You're then fitting in exercise and education or entertainment at the same time.

Focus on increasing your cardio fitness. High Intensity Interval Training is great and will increase your fitness dramatically, and quickly. This is a great background on why it's so good for you, and why you don't actually need to spend hours doing boring cardio. http://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2012/11/30/exercise-anti-aging-impacts.aspx. Jump on the elliptical/cross trainer for 10 minutes, set it to intervals and push yourself. I also jump on the stair machine because it's really difficult but great for your heart AND your butt and thighs. This all gets easier fairly quickly, and your endurance increases. Find the machine that you like, e.g. I hate the bikes and the treadmill but I love the elliptical trainer. Rowing can be really great too.

Make an appointment with one of the trainers at the gym and talk to them about your fitness, health and weight goals. Ask them to write you a simple program for lifting weights on your own, that is designed around any physical limitations you might have (e.g. mine is my neck, so I made the trainer aware of that). Start simple, and with smaller weights and more reps. When this gets boring, or too easy, increase the amount you are lifting, or ask the trainer to write you a more challenging program. Weight lifting is so empowering, I am really pleased with how strong I am now. After 9 months or so of regular weight lifting, the changes in my body are a reward in itself.

There's also a free app called "Nike Training" that gives you workouts based on your fitness level, how much time you have, what you'd like to target. You can do that at home or at the gym, utilising the equipment they have.

Good luck! The gym does get more enjoyable, but find what works for you. Or as others have said, focus on fitness outdoors instead, like hiking or swimming. Maybe you'd like dance or martial arts. I think about all movement as a way to honour my body. When I go to the gym or go on a long walk, I'm investing in my health now and in the future, including my flexibility and strength (which are really important as we age).

Maybe you should check Craigslist and build a gym at home? That's what I am in the process of doing right now. I alrady have a multi station weight machine, and am working on getting dum bells and then eventually a cage so I can bench/squat safely.

Results in the gym, have to come from the inside. The only person you are competing with is you yourself. Some people love cardio. Me, I hate it, unless it's on a bike. Then I can ride all day. But that's just me. Others like the treadmill, or the stepper, or dance, or whatever. Find the things you like to do, and do them religiously.

I'm becoming addicted to iron. It seems like everything in my schedule is about working around my workout time.

I have a gym membership and hate it. I go sometimes but I'd rather work out at home. There are many home DVDs that are just as good and I like doing them in the privacy of my own room.

Don't need a gym, in my opinion... Just a few feet of space and some determination. Easier said than typed, I know. :-/

Wait...Do you think that everyone who goes to the gym regularly enjoys doing it? There's your problem right there.

I personally hate the gym 90% of the time. But it's called "sucking it up" and "getting over myself". I force myself to go, because my discomfort at the gym no longer outweighs my dislike of my fat, saggy *kitten*.

The good news is, once you get used to it and get more comfortable being there, you'll start to to dislike it less and less.

ETA: Legitimately not trying to be rude. Just keeping it real. Oh well if that offends any delicate constitutions.

I liked your post... can't explain why but it enlightened me somehow ... I don't hate the gym but I know I limit myself a great deal out of fear I won't succeed. I do the things I know I can do and find I don't push myself to try out other classes like I want too. I think the problem maybe I'm too comfy and in a rut, unsure how to get out and maybe a bit afraid of trying something new in case I'm not perfect at it.

That's right... a perfectionist... hate it! It traps me so many times.. I do a lot of water classes, they feel awesome and my body has changed a lot because of them. I also do strength training, not free weights yet though.. afraid to try those for no other reason than I don't know how. Plan to have someone show me though...soon

I'm sorry you're feeling frustrated and hate the gym...a lot of various ideas have been shared that might help you make a change that is a better fit.

I think a lot of it is getting comfy with ppl you meet there in a class etc., running into the same ppl and knowing they got out of bed to go perhaps not wanting to either. That helps me when I go to very early classes... I think of others getting up for the class and it helps me throw clothes on, grab my bag and head out. Definitely a great motivator when morning comes too early.

I'm learning to love the gym. I'm taking several different classes. Take a class with no expectations. I tried Pilates, and I can't do much yet because I have no core strength yet. I'll try that again in a few months. I LOVE Zumba, but each instructor is different (as with most classes). We have four different instructors, so I'm only going to the classes where I like the instructor. I'm also in a basic Fit class that is designed for seniors and beginners. I seriously love this class and I do this twice a week. In the meantime, I ride a bike with a video screen that tracks my mileage and time. I committed to riding 75 miles in July. And bring along some music to keep you motivated if you're doing strength training or cardio outside of a class.