Worried about the gym

I think everyone feels this way before they start going to the gym.

The most important thing to remember is that most people at the gym are so wrapped up in their own workout that they don't have the time or energy to notice what other people are doing.

If I do notice a new person, I don't think negative things about them. I'm hopeful that they'll be successful and keep coming back.

I love my gym. I've been going to the same gym for several years, and I know most of the weight room regulars. I feel very comfortable there and haven't experienced any meanness or animosity.

My best advice is to "just do it" and go, and then keep going. Force yourself to go on a regular basis for at least a few months, and then you'll look forward to it.

Nothing you feel is ever stupid, and you will find that if you are thinking/feeling it; you are not alone. I had the same fear but realized that if I fed into it I'd only stay stuck where I was, so I started going faithfully and was surprised to find that instead of judgments I started receiving compliments and cheers. People notice when you are trying and more often than not they are excited to see your progress & happily encourage your efforts. I not only gained confidence, and better health but new positive people in my life that have bettered my journey So don't quit, it's not easy but it's totally worth it!

I feel that way whenever I go to a new exercise class. I think that because I am heavy I won't be able to keep up and everyone is staring. To combat this I stand in the front of the class closest to the instructor so I can focus on what she or he is doing rather than what the other participants were doing. I am comfortable with using the machines because like everyone else I just put my headphones in and focus on that. Just stay focused on your goals and remember every one is there for the same reason: to workout!!! Good Luck

I completely understand this. I had the exact same anxieties when I first started going to the gym. I think it's perfectly normal to feel that way, but just remember that many people there started out in your shoes. Most likely, everyone there is just focusing on themselves and not even paying attention to you. I've noticed on a number of occasions heavier people at my gym who then, a few months down the road, have clearly lost weight. They're on their own health journey and it's incredible to see their progress!

I was nervous too, but when I walked into the private gym in my neighborhood, there was a sign on the wall reading

"You should never be embarassed about BEING out shape... be embarassed about STAYING out of shape."

It was a bit harsh at first, but once I though about I realized that I was one of the people doing something about my health and felt better.

Put your best music, have your workouts ready on a pen and pencil/iPhone/android, and go at it!..I love planet Fitness also people just want to workout all I want to do is to be left alone with my reps..I hope the best for you

I think that's a pretty common feeling. It's always seemed to me that the gym was where fit beautiful people go...and honestly, it seems like there are a lot more of those there than people who are working on getting fit...like me.

I've never had anyone say anything negative to me (and I was quite overweight when I started going). They may think negative things, but I figure I don't care as long as they keep it to themselves. Mostly I go in, put my headphones on, do my thing and leave. I don't pay much attention to other people, and I figure they don't pay much attention to me either.

You just have to make yourself do it. Eventually you stop worrying about it and might even start enjoying it.

Some gyms offer a complementary personal training session. If your gym offers, take full advantage of it. Like someone else said, you will be more confident if you know exactly how to use the machines. Otherwise, the more you go, the easier it will become.

bring head phones and blast music

Good for you for taking the step!

I think everyone has those feeling when they first start out. Like other have suggested, meet with the staff to make sure you're using the equipment properly then make your own plan and go for it!

At the beginning, although I've never had to say it to people, I tried to adopt the attitude of "I may be fat, but you're ugly on the inside. I'm losing weight, but you'll always be ugly."

I'm in the UK as well. I signed up with DW back in March when I was 300+lbs. I visited the one local to me and the one near where I work and found the staff at both really friendly & helpful which is why I picked them despite being the biggest person I saw in there by about 100lbs LOL. However I did notice on my visits that I didn't notice anyone posing about, everyone seemed into their workouts. So I had my induction and did get the feeling that the trainer didn't expect me to last but he was very helpful & answered all my questions.

At first I'd scurry to the machines in the darkest corner and was invisible to everyone else. After a 3 or 4 weeks of visiting practically daily other regulars started nodding hello and occasionally speaking. Now, a few people chat and I've had some positive comments about both my weight loss and my form when lifting. Funnily enough the closest I've come to a negative response is a couple of the larger women that were really chatty & friendly at first now I've lost a lot of weight and can now go far longer on the treadmill (running not walking) than they can don't even say morning now!

Joining the gym is one of the best things I've done. I love the routine, I love feeling fitter and an added bonus is the gym showers are hotter and more powerful than my home shower

HI! I actually read everyone's responses, and completely agree pretty much with what everyone else has said, but feel compelled to tell my version of the story!

I have been overweight my whole life and had lost and gained 15 lbs over and over again without really being able to break that cycle and make it stick. I would have MAJOR anxiety about entering the gym, to the point of where I would do this semi-weird OCD habit that I would do with my keys when I was walking past the big bay windows from my car to the entrance of the gym. I felt paranoid, like everyone was looking at me, thinking that I was fat, that I shouldn't be there, ugly, etc. etc. In the first six months of my journey, I pretty much just went to the locker room and headed straight upstairs to where the cardio machines were. Upstairs seemed to be where more of the heavier people were to use the machines (free weights and the "bros" were downstairs on 1st floor).

I started to stall out weight loss wise at the six month mark, and decided to invest in a trainer. THIS IS THE BEST THING THAT I HAVE EVER DONE. Yes, I was nervous about this too, but I am so so so happy I did it. I was able to work with him for another six months, and because I felt like I needed to prove myself to him, I worked my *kitten* off. In my mind, if I wasn't the skinniest or prettiest, you better damn well believe that I was going to work harder than anyone else in that gym. He showed me proper form, had me use free weights, and had me working out on the first floor with all of the people who intimidated me.

I have had multiple people come up to me and be like "WOW, I would have given up after the first set of the workout you just did". You may not feel the most confident in the beginning, but get in there and get the work done. There is no better feeling than that of accomplishment and I guarantee you will not give two ****s what anyone else thinks of you if you're putting in the work. A lot of people are on journeys to get healthier and those are truly those who I commend the most. It takes a lot of courage to try something new, so my hat is off to you.

Best of luck!

Sounds stupid but I was worried about going to the gym. I feel people will judge me etc. anyone else had these worries/anxieties?

No rudeness please!

It's not stupid. But think about it for a moment- if they're going to judge you when you're in the gym, they'll judge you when they pass you on the street, too. People's assessment of each other doesn't start or stop when they pass through the doors of a gym. Their thoughts will always be their thoughts, and you won't be able to control that. The best thing you can do is focus on your efforts because only you will know the reality and truths of your situation. If you make sure that you're giving your best, then you have NOTHING to be ashamed of.

For a while, I felt self-conscious about running on the track at my gym because I was slow. But then I reminded myself that I was trying as hard as I could and I was recovering from an injury. So if one of these other people wanted to look down on me for not being as fast as they were, they could go to heck because they didn't know what they were talking about.

My general response when people look at me doing my "Zombies, RUN!" walk around the block, or when I dye my hair bright red because it makes me feel good, or when I finally go to a gym--"I'm not doing this for you."

Plug in and plug along and you'll gain confidence!

Love it I'm terrified of the gym so I'm starting at home until I'm a little more confident. I do have to say though... I was recently traveling and had promised myself I would use the hotel workout room at least twice. The first night, about 15 minutes into my walk a tiny, gorgeous woman jumped on the treadmill beside me and in about 5 min she had already reached my speed. I was so self conscious but then I realized that we're both there for the same exact reason. My journey might be different from hers, but just getting in there should be celebrated. Go in with your head held high