NEVER been to a Gym, Going Tomorrow. So scared, HELP PLEASE!

First time I went to a gym, I got the orientation and then was on my own. My first time "alone" I ended up using one of the machines in the opposite way - I was on my back and should have been on my stomach. Someone laughed and then someone else helped me. I was embarrassed. But 6 months later, I got a job at that same gym giving orientations to new clients.

Just remember... nobody is looking at you or judging you... because they are too pre-occupied with themselves... and maybe busy thinking the same thing about you judging them! Sometimes you just gotta "fake it till you make it". Walk in there like you belong, like you know exactly what you're doing and figure it out as you go along with the help of your trainer.... then pretty soon you will OWN it! Good luck and have fun!

ETA.... if you choose to use the machines.. they all have diagrams on how to properly use them... there's no shame in stopping and taking the time to read that so you know what to do.

I doubt anything we say will help you get over your fear. Only you can overcome that.

What I learned about the gym was that I just had to do it afraid until the fear subsided. I still have fear anytime I want to try something new but I just do it afraid. It's fear of the unknown, fear I'll look foolish, fear I won't know how, fear someone will laugh, fear that I'll get hurt, fear that it won't work, fear that I won't be able, the list goes on and on.

Do not let your fear get in the way of accomplishing your goals. Afraid to go to the gym? - go to the gym anyway. Afraid to ask questions?- ask them anyway. Afraid you'll fail? - the only way you fail is if you don't try, so try anyway.

The old Nike ads were spot on - Just do it.

Don't worry about it so much, the more you go, the more you'll get used to it and soon you'll be the one looking at the new scared people coming in. Be polite, friendly and work your *kitten* off and you'll do fine. The gym staff would prefer if you asked them a question if you don't know how to work a machine, they don't need hurt people or damaged equipment.
It'll be great, you'll see.

another question, Do people pay attention to what others wear at the gym? I went and got a few things yesterday but I worry I won't be wearing the right thing that the other women are wearing or so on.

At my company's gym, there are a couple of religious Muslim women who do the treadmill in their head scarves and flowing gowns. Some Indian women do the treadmill in their long shirts and cotton pants, too (though none of them do it in their saris because saris are too special to mess up in the gym).
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My neighborhood is pretty mixed culturally, and there's the Indian women in long shirts and cotton pants, and men wearing boater shoes, and grubby old sweats or whatever. I have no fashion sense, and I don't dress to impress at the gym. I wear loose fitting shorts, ( with the appropriate underwear :blushing: ) a totally non-fashionable T-Shirt, and skate shoes. I'm 53 years old. My wife gave me a gift certificate to a sports store... she seems embarrassed by my shoes at the gym. I keep telling her, I only warm up on the treadmill, ( I do cardio at home ) the rest of the time I am lifting ( although, I still use machines, almost exclusively ) and who cares about my footwear for that? Apparently, she does. You know what? I've never caught anyone looking at me, when I'm in the gym... I just don't think anyone cares what other people are doing there.

I have to say, you are overthinking this. Making the appointment to go, was the hard part. Now that it's set.... you just go, and the trainer will take care of you. That's their job. They are trying to sell you on their gym. As others have said, you shouldn't sign anything before your session, and you should give some excuse not to sign right away. I use the, 'gotta talk it over with da wife' excuse all the time.

The contract system is how gyms make their money. The % of people who sign for 1 year or more, and never return, is huge. You should be pretty certain that you'll keep the commitment before laying out the $$$. I'm lucky where I am... the local rec center, has a pool, and a gym, ( and a hot tub, that's why I go.... ) and a daily rate, or 10 passes, or monthly, or 6 months, or 1 year. I did daily for months, before I was sure I was gonna keep going, then I bought a year.

Don't let nerves get the best of you. I waited a long time before I went back to the gym. I walked past it every day for months on my way to the pool... sort of looking in wistfully... and the day I finally got set up with a trainer, and a 1 hr refresher ( the place was completely renovated, and had all new machines since I'd been last 10 years ago ) I was SO happy I'd finally done it, and couldn't figure out why I'd waited so long.

The absolute worst that could happen is, you don't like it, so you don't return. Kind of like trying kale.

another question, Do people pay attention to what others wear at the gym? I went and got a few things yesterday but I worry I won't be wearing the right thing that the other women are wearing or so on.

no not really. Wear what makes you feel comfortable Just wear a comfortable shirt and shorts or pants. Something flexible, comfortable, and that you can breath in. Most women these days wear Lululemon however I'm too cheap for that!! And if you have a bunch to lose, you may go through a few outfits so I find cheaper is better until you are closer to goal weight I usually just go to walmart for my cloths :P

WOW never expected so many encouraging comments so quickly! Thank you so much! I am not big by any means, I am only 120lbs and some of you will probably think that I look perfect just basing it on my weight but I'm not at all. I've had 3 kids and other women know what it can do to our stomachs and thighs/legs. I am going to smaller gym bc a bigger gym scares me even worse. What would you all recommend as far as a commitment to the place? The contracts are 12, 18 months or 2 years. If I sign up for 2 years will that encourage me to keep going? or should I stick with only 12 months for now.

if it's your first gym, I would not commit to 2 years just yet. you may realise a few months down the road that the other gym is more suited to you (equipment, atmosphere, or whatever) and want to switch. I'm not huge on contracts :P

Read this... http://ericamillard.com/?p=1566
Its called "Dear new girl at the gym" and its spot on. Go for it, you'[ll do great

LOL- I just about to post this and you beat me to it!

They require a contract, most places around my area do :-( The trainer/manager was so nice, he said the first session of training is free but he said he would help me our a few times until I got the hang of it. What if he is busy at the times I go? Ahh I worry toooo much I know! How do you stay motivated? I feel like once I start and get tired I will want to stop. I can not push myself at home I try to do squats/lunges and I do like 30 and stop. I never can keep doing it. I have no motivation I feel the pain and stop. Is it different at a gym, will I give up just as easily there?

You sound like me! My mind starts going 100mph with all the "what if's, what about's" and worrying about stuff I think MAY happen, lol. It can be exhausting can't it?

Does the gym you are going to offer classes as well? That may be another good way to get your feet wet and meet some new people, and try something new. (like Zumba...so fun!)

30 squats or lunges is nothing to sneeze at honey! I have done the gym thing and the at-home thing. When I was motivated, the at-home thing worked great, I was dedicated and saw results. But then I started slacking. My hubs and I have now joined the Y together (again) because I feel like I want to do more strength training, plus I missed the dancing-based classes.

Good luck! Friend me if you want, I'm a 32 yr old mom of 2.