Am i too fat for the gym

Romyarts2014
Romyarts2014 Posts: 201 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Weather has been so bipolar here in the Netherlands and I really am focusing the next year on getting me in shape.
I am currently at 378 pounds but I am scared that nothing will support me at the gym so I am scared to go..
I ride my bike everyday but i just dont feel its enough , i want to start really hitting it up in the gym at least 2 hours.

HELP:sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:
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Replies

  • kcmcd
    kcmcd Posts: 239 Member
    You can absolutely take a tour of your gym before you sign up and ask them what the weight limits are on the different machines. In fact, do that for SURE before you sign anything or put down any money. You should feel comfortable going there. If you don't, it's not the gym for you - go ahead and tour the next one until you like what you find.

    Good luck! Keep riding that bike! You're doing a great thing! :)
  • TenaciousTAZ
    TenaciousTAZ Posts: 135 Member
    Free weights (dumbells etc) won't require you to sit at a machine. Resistance bands, kettlebells, even body weight exercises like wall push ups can be things you can do. I'm not a fan of gyms with tons of machines.
  • Booksandbeaches
    Booksandbeaches Posts: 1,791 Member
    Please go there. Does this place have trainers? If they do, have them show you the machines and explain how everything works. Do it when the gym isn't crowded, so you don't feel self-conscious. The more you know how to use the equipment, the more comfortable you will feel when you do the workouts.

    People might notice you because you're new to the place, but honestly most people are listening to music or focusing on their workouts. They aren't going to be staring at you. And if they, so what? They're rude.

    Does this place have a swimming pool? The pool is a great place to get a workout if you're concerned about equipment.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Absolutely not.

    Let me tell you, there is a woman who goes to my gym... she started at like 600+ lbs. She's lost about 125 lbs this past year. She does pool workouts alot, which is great for heavier people because it's low impact and still gets your heart rate going.

    Don't be afraid to start because of your weight. Just do it. You'll be so glad you did.
  • kristafb
    kristafb Posts: 770 Member
    I recently joined a gym for the first time and was very self conscious at first but I'm very pleased at the mix of people there. I totally agree with the others, do a tour, ask questions, don't sign anything until you are sure you can use the machines you want to use. A pool is a great idea if its an option. I wasted years too afraid to go to the gym, don't wait!! I am really enjoying it. :)
  • KatherineMichelle72
    KatherineMichelle72 Posts: 52
    Weather has been so bipolar here in the Netherlands and I really am focusing the next year on getting me in shape.
    I am currently at 378 pounds but I am scared that nothing will support me at the gym so I am scared to go..
    I ride my bike everyday but i just dont feel its enough , i want to start really hitting it up in the gym at least 2 hours.

    HELP:sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

    hun, trust me when I say you are NOT to big for the gym!!! My best friend started at a higher weight than you and she goes to the gym... at the end of the day you have to do what feels right for you!!! Also hi from America... I have a sister who has lived in The Netherlands fora lil under 20 yrs now...
  • autumnsquirrel
    autumnsquirrel Posts: 258 Member
    Weather has been so bipolar here in the Netherlands and I really am focusing the next year on getting me in shape.
    I am currently at 378 pounds but I am scared that nothing will support me at the gym so I am scared to go..
    I ride my bike everyday but i just dont feel its enough , i want to start really hitting it up in the gym at least 2 hours.

    HELP:sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:
    You must get there---you will see the diversity of people and all of the things that you can do to get yourself in shape. You do NOT need 2 hours at the gym. One hour is good; focus mainly on your diet--that's where it's at. Take a tour of the gym, talk to the trainer showing you around. There are so many things you can do, such as aquarobics, free weights, spin class, Zumba, kick boxing; you name it; a good gym will have it. A good gym employee will be sensitive to your needs and help you set up a good routine for yourself. Now get out there and shine:) You are doing something great for yourself:) Oh!!! A bonus is the camaraderie at the gym; you will make friends who will help keep you focused:)
  • joshbond85
    joshbond85 Posts: 28
    No.
  • KameHameHaaaa
    KameHameHaaaa Posts: 837 Member
    No you're not! I was 410 lbs when i joined my planet fitness, I'm now down to 340.

    Just make a list of gyms in your area, take tours there and ask questions or even test out the machines, and decide which atmosphere is right for you. :)
  • ruthejp13
    ruthejp13 Posts: 213 Member
    I heard a sad story about a 400-pound (plus or minus 100 pounds) man at the health club. He got out of the car, walked toward the health club and then turned around and got back in the car. The person just sat there doing nothing.

    My friend, who told me this story, felt sorry for the obese man and wondered what would happen if he went into the club.

    My friend, upon leaving the club, was delighted to see a fitness employee walking around the outside of the building with the obese individual. That says so much for the credibility of the health club, the compassion of the employee and the courage of the man. It all starts with just one step.
  • Ryoku
    Ryoku Posts: 35 Member
    I avoided the gym for years because I was afraid to be judged. I've been going steady for the past 4 months and I love it. Sure there are tiny people there but there are all sizes too. At least they see me working on trying to get in better shape than sitting at the food court eating chinese, lol.
  • emuravyeva
    emuravyeva Posts: 103 Member
    In my opinion, NO ONE is too fat to go to the gym!!!! Absolutely no one. Granted, there might be weight limits on the machines, but there are so many other things you can do at the gym that don't require to you to sit or stand on anything. Most people go to the gym to get healthy and they're not concerned about what you're doing or how you look. You have to start somewhere. Do what you can and it will get better over time - you'll be able to use machines that might have been off-limits at the beginning.

    On the other hand, if you're not comfortable with going to the gym at your current size, then start at home. There are, literally, thousands of workout DVDs out there. Plus all the free videos you can find on YouTube.

    Whatever you do, don't let fear stop you from doing something great for yourself!
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    first off, no one is too fat for the gym.

    Second, 2 hours is too long to workout. Youre not going to lose more weight by working out that long. What will probably happen is you will increase your hunger and end up eating more to fuel or recover from the long workouts. Shoot for 30-45 minutes most days of the week.
  • MeadowSong
    MeadowSong Posts: 171 Member
    Free weights (dumbells etc) won't require you to sit at a machine. Resistance bands, kettlebells, even body weight exercises like wall push ups can be things you can do. I'm not a fan of gyms with tons of machines.

    Yup. And you can use their track (and pool if they have one!) when the weather is icky.
  • marjoleina
    marjoleina Posts: 189 Member
    Hi there! I live in the Netherlands too! Great you ride your bike! I hope you find a gym you like. Who knows maybe there will be some fun classes you can be a part off. I wouldn't worry about anyone else there. They are all busy worrying about themselves. ;)
  • cincysweetheart
    cincysweetheart Posts: 892 Member
    Absolutely not. No such thing. I was heavier than that when I started at the gym.
  • afortunatedragon
    afortunatedragon Posts: 329 Member
    1. Make a list what you want from a gym and in which order. (Personal trainer, pool, boxing, classes ...)
    2. Do test runs on different gyms
    3. Take the one you felt homely and can offer what you need and want (see point one)
    4. Use the Gym.

    And I promise you, after a very short period of time you wonder how you could ever asked the question :wink:
  • lukewind
    lukewind Posts: 177 Member
    I started at 538lbs and I started at the gym when I was 420lbs. Don't let other people keep you from getting to your goals. Try and find a nice gym with a relaxed atmosphere. I know there are some gyms that are not really gyms but more like night clubs where fit people hang out....stay away from those types of gyms.
  • missdibs1
    missdibs1 Posts: 1,092 Member
    No you are not to heavy I used to be the "big" girl at my old gym

    I shook my big ol butt until it looks like this <--- see profile pics
  • marisun75
    marisun75 Posts: 12 Member
    I use to think the same think but I joined and I love it. I go for myself :smile: I started first with riding my bike too. Joined the gym when it got too cold lol
  • goldmay
    goldmay Posts: 258 Member
    If you don't have any serious medical conditions that keep you from working out, there shouldn't be any reason why you shouldn't join. I totally respect people who are new because it takes a lot of motivation to start, and I'm sure most other people feel the same way.
  • MSLUC
    MSLUC Posts: 30
    Suggest a Doctors visit before starting a gym regimen. Also consultation with a nutritionist. They will help you set reasonable goals, and PROPER exercise expectations. Exercise without food knowledge is usually wasted effort.
  • PinkyFett
    PinkyFett Posts: 842 Member
    You can call and ask what max weight is for things like the treadmill or elliptical. Some do support 300+ lbs.
  • shor0814
    shor0814 Posts: 559 Member
    Agree with everyone else.

    A good gym will have commercial grade equipment with much higher weight limits than general home equipment. 350-400 is pretty standard stuff for ellipticals and bikes.

    Good luck.
  • Brownsbacker4evr
    Brownsbacker4evr Posts: 365 Member
    I am not sure about your gym situation over there in your neck of the woods. The place I go to is a chain across all of america. They use the same brand for all their treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, etc. The brand of this equipment is called "Life Fitness". You can probably reach out to an owner or manager and ask if the equipment is heavy duty. Most of the machines have a weight restriction written on them--usually on the front panel or the side of it. I've been on my fair share of both crappy and great treadmills.

    My heaviest weight has been 354 pounds, and I can say there is definitely a 100% chance of you being able to find a treadmill to cater to your weight.

    From my own personal experiences i've been to places that had treadmills so crappy that I could barely walk on them without the traction belt catching and making me nearly face plant into the front panel. Then there were the heavy-duty and higher quality ones at the chain gym that I was able to fully set at an incline or decline with no problems at all with the belt catching or stopping up, and I've also ran at speeds of 10mph pretty frequently on them. And again I am well over 300 pounds, and was over 350 pounds when doing this. So you can definitely find it, I just hope there are some conveniently available for you.

    Good luck
  • donyellemoniquex3
    donyellemoniquex3 Posts: 2,384 Member
    You can absolutely take a tour of your gym before you sign up and ask them what the weight limits are on the different machines. In fact, do that for SURE before you sign anything or put down any money. You should feel comfortable going there. If you don't, it's not the gym for you - go ahead and tour the next one until you like what you find.

    Good luck! Keep riding that bike! You're doing a great thing! :)

    truth
  • soidade
    soidade Posts: 116 Member
    Nope, go for it! (But referring to the weather as "bipolar" is a little jarring to someone who actually has the disorder... I know it was an innocent turn of phrase but it's kind of like calling something wild "schizophrenic.")
  • mtyler7718
    mtyler7718 Posts: 24
    Weather has been so bipolar here in the Netherlands and I really am focusing the next year on getting me in shape.
    I am currently at 378 pounds but I am scared that nothing will support me at the gym so I am scared to go..
    I ride my bike everyday but i just dont feel its enough , i want to start really hitting it up in the gym at least 2 hours.

    HELP:sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

    At my heaviest weight, I weighed 275 lbs (I weight 205 now--but I lost most of that a long time ago and more and put on 35 - 40 lbs in the last 10 years or so. I felt like you did when I was at my heaviest--afraid and embarrassed to go. Worried that the machine might break and that people would laugh at me. What I found was the opposite. Most people really are impressed with anyone who wants to get healthy--regardless of how big you are. I found people really were supportive and they cheered me on as I lost more and more weight. They became a great support system for me.

    I agree with the poster who said that you should visit several gyms and go on free tours. You should be able to get a feel for the people/attitudes if you do that. But don't let fear ever hold you back. There is not a human alive who hasn't struggled with something in her or his life. You are most definitely not alone and I'm sure you will find (as I did) that you aren't the biggest or smallest person there! :) Good luck!

    Melinda
  • AquabearGO
    AquabearGO Posts: 232 Member
    I started at my gym at 6 foot 1 and 420 pounds and EVERYTHING held my weight, yes, even the treadmills. That said, I found the stationary bikes uncomfortable to sit on, the recumbents are better. Now Im not saying this to be mean, but to be helpful to you.....
    You are not a special snowflake, no one is going to sit there and laugh at you, judge you and make fun of you.....why? In this day and age, people are waaaaay to wrapped up in themselves and THEIR workouts to give much thought to you and what YOU are doing. I have found that most people in the gym are either listening to music, watching tv or looking at themselves in the mirror and are oblivious to much else. Now stop worrying about what anyone will think( cause they wont) get into that gym and GET TO WORK!!!!!! EIther get busy living or get busy dying..... the excuses are over. GOOD LUCK
  • roebuckkathy
    roebuckkathy Posts: 5
    That is pretty close to what I weighed when I started going....it is important to find one where you feel comfortable going or there is just the chance you will pay to join but not go because you feel judged. I fouled a smaller one near my house where everyone is focused on getting healthier and watching others and making comments. Sad to say but there are ones where this happens. Shop around like you are buying a car! Most people are there to do the same as you are and are very supportive . Best of wishes on finding one that fits you!

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