im scared of gyms

Lady_buttercup
Lady_buttercup Posts: 5
in Fitness and Exercise
I have a fear of Gyms especially when i see super Skinny people who's weight does not move independently from there mainframe so i was wondering what other exercise can i do other than swimming.

Need encouragement for this im always procrastinating

Replies

  • linsey0689
    linsey0689 Posts: 753 Member
    Home videos or buy some dumbbells maybe? Also walking and or running..

    But I was also like to say when I started MFP I was 285 pounds and I worked out at home for the first month and also walked. But then after that I started working out the gym and have been at this almost 6 months now. I am still 245 pounds but it really doesn't bug me anymore. I just am there to workout and it people are going to judge that is fine they have no idea how far I came this far. Also sometimes people that are skinny aren't even healthy I am go on the elliptical for longer and at a higher resistance because I have build to it. The only person I don't like seeing in the gym is females that wear there long hair down and have more makeup on then I do when I am going out. Also big ear rings bug me too.

    I say just go you will get used to it you look pretty small in your photo and you will fit right-in in no time :)
  • mperrott2205
    mperrott2205 Posts: 737 Member
    My girl friend had the same problem, until I took her to the gym yesterday.

    I told her after she did her workout in the scary weight room: "Look around you, do you see anybody, unfit or fit, giving a damn about what you're doing?"

    The answer was no. People are there to workout for themselves, and if they are looking at you or caring about what you're doing, that's there loss. They're having a crap workout.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    So don't go to a gym. It's that easy. I lost all my weight before even going near one. I never joined a gym in my life till about Feb this year... hated it so much I went about 5 times & then left.... I had a 3 month payment to go. Never needed it at all. You can lose weight, tone up & improve cardio all without a gym.
  • HelloDan
    HelloDan Posts: 712 Member
    I think you just need to clear your head of worry, and hit the gym.

    Remember, people in gyms are (in your words) skinny because they go to gyms, they don't necessarily go to gyms because they are skinny. By that I mean the gym gets the result, so why have the idea that you have to achieve the result, before going to the place to do that? It's kind of like waiting to feel better before seeing the Dr, or fixing your car before taking it to the mechanic.

    Many of the people there will have started out of shape, and even the ones that hadn't will be working so hard, they won't be judging you in any way, and will most likely be very willing to help.

    Rather than find an alternative, I think if you bite the bullet and hit the gym, you'll soon get over your worries, and you'll even find yourself enjoying it and wanting to get back for more.
  • Chadomaniac
    Chadomaniac Posts: 1,785 Member
    Super skinny at gym/ do they even lift
  • wolfchild59
    wolfchild59 Posts: 2,608 Member
    I was scared of the gym at first too. Worried about what prople would think and the judgement I would clearly face everywhere.

    Then the hubby took me on a guest pass once when the fitness center in our apartment complex was unavailable due to a power outage.

    That's when I realized that no one cared that I was there or what I was doing. Sure, maybe a few folks noticed I was around, the same way I see people come in or get on a machine near me. But no one cares about what anyone else is doing. Each person eta there, does their thing, and leaves.

    He got me a gym membership that year for Christmas and now I go more than he does.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    When I restarted my fitness routine I had a 7 week old baby and weighed 220 at 5'6. I don't think anyone even looked at me, and believe me, I had wobbly bits!

    To be honest, the only people I ever notice in my gym are the perfectly made up girls who come in and walk for about 5 mins on the treadmill, then stand around gossiping!
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  • Pookylou
    Pookylou Posts: 988 Member
    When I workout at the gym I don't really pay attention to what anyone else is doing! I am too focused on what I am doing, the only people I interact with are the people who I need to - to get on equipment/use weights etc. Just go in get your workout done and leave!

    Oh I still have very wobbly bits too :laugh:

    edit to add - when I see over weight/unfit people working out all I think is "good for them", and "I wish I had started getting fit sooner"!
  • cath14967
    cath14967 Posts: 27
    I think it depends on what you want. I am a walker and a dancer. In the summer months or when the weather is dry I hit the streets and walk (as long as it is safe to do this) I also go to dance class (Ceroc - Modern Jive) once a week. I dont need to take a partner with me and we have party nights approx once a month.
    You have to think outside the box when it comes to exercise. 2 hours in the gym is my worse nightmare but I find I can dance for 3 hours and not notice the time.
    Think about what it is you want from the gym and if you can find this elsewhere and be happy then I would go for that.
  • tmm_0127
    tmm_0127 Posts: 545 Member
    I used to be afraid because I thought the people who were already in fantastic shape were looking at me funny and judging me.

    Turns out all they're doing is making faces really quite unvoluntarily because they're working out and not paying attention to me, because they're too worried about themselves.

    :P

    Depending on what you like to do for exercise, you could sign up for classes instead of being out in the openness of the rest of the gym. Go for walks, do some at home free-weights, get some exercise dvds... the list of what you can do without a gym membership is pretty endless. :)
  • RunnerElizabeth
    RunnerElizabeth Posts: 1,091 Member
    If gym phobia is going to stress you out too much and potentially keep you from excercising, I'd say skip it. You don't need to go to the gym or even excercise to lose weight, you just need to eat at a deficit. Being healthy however is a different story.

    Anyway find some form of excercise you like to do outside of the gym. You could always start with walking. A lot of people like workout dvds. I use the You Are Your Own Gym app. It's a progressive body weight strength program that I do at home for 30 mins 3 or 4 times a week. I do it while watching tv. If you put a little effort in to researching it, I'm sure you can find something you enjoy outside of the gym. Then maybe tackle the gym problem later if you want to.
  • sherry666
    sherry666 Posts: 36 Member
    If you really don't want to go to a gym, then don't. Everyone is different when it comes to how comfortable they are working out in front of others.
    Personally, I hate it. My face gets ubber-red/purple and I have to breath through my mouth due to a nose issue, so I look like I'm about to die at each workout, lol. I realize everyone is there to work out and not judge, but I've always felt more comfortable to be alone. I feel I can concentrate better. That's why I turned a spare bedroom in my house into a workout room. The equipment is stuff we've found at yard sales, or on sale. I even have a TV to watch. I have everything I need in there for a great workout. Just an idea if you have some spare room :tongue:

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