Here's my Issue, it's pretty lame

I have the same problem. I've tried going at odd hours when there aren't that many people there. I know people aren't there to watch me, but I still have terrible anxiety about it. I'm curious to see what others have to say about this.

I so hate the gyms! So I cannot help you with that! And like you, usually I'm a social person, I love people. I just hate the gym it makes me anxious.
For me, walking or running alone with my ipod, outside, it works.
Or taking a yoga class or any other class: seeing the same few people every week is not as stressfull.

what if you went with a friend you felt comfortable with? or why not try working out at home with dvds?
i kind of think the opposite of you... when there are tons of people at the gym i like it because i feel like i just blend in and nobody is watching me but when it's not crowded i stand out more

I don't have this problem. But I just want you to know that when I'm at the gym I see the other people there and all I think is, " God, these people are awesome!" I bet they are thinking the same thing about you.

Obviously you want to be comfortable while you're working out, and you want to be able to stay focused and motivated, so the fewer distractions you have, the better. Going to a gym may be too overwhelming for you (for now).

First of all, have you thought about investing in some exercise equipment and working out in your own home? Weights and workout videos are readily available and pretty affordable. You can also finance workout equipment such as bikes, treadmills, ellipticals, etc. Over time, you'll be spending the same as you would for a gym membership.

Second of all, if you don't want to work out at home by yourself, you can probably find a personal trainer who works in a smaller, more private environment with fewer people around.

Or, as a few other posters already said, going for walks/runs outside by yourself is great exercise too! Fresh air always makes for a better workout

I'm not a gym person, but it's because I find them soooo boring. When I do go, I try to go with a friend, cause it brings out my competitive nature, and makes me work harder.
I think the ideas of doing workouts on Dvds or running outside are good ideas, otherwise, try bringing a friend. You may find it less overwhelming.
Good luck!

I also get the feeling that everbody is watching me in the gym and it makes me paranoid so i quit my membership, I bot a Gazelle Cross Trainer to use at home, I use the wii fit and I have two exercise dvds. Also I have the dog to walk. Theres no point paying for a membership if you feel uncomfortable, your more likely to have a much better work out if your not worried about other people "watching you" I think it is quite a common problem for people, particularly for me when I go to the gym and to be honest, most people there are fit and not overweight but are there because they enjoy it as part of their lifestyle. Also buying an exercise machine for home etc, annually will probably work out cheaper even though it seems expensive at the time. However, beware of the using it a a clothes rack lol I have did this before but its going to stop lol

put on your music as soon as you check in the door and don't take it off until you are done
or
ask if they have free passes for friends and family and drag someone with you for a while until you get comfortable.
or go up to someone who looks in the same boat as you and say something like....Do you think this class will be too hard for a beginner....(that's what I did and I thought I would never use my $10 month pass at the gym after the first few days) and now I go all the time.
or
get up front in a class you can handle like spinor something, tell the instructor you are new and just focus on him/her and not anyone else around you.
or
go days like Saturdays at 1pm when all the skinny moms are at their kids baseball practices. Today I went then and there was only 7 people in the whole place.
or
see if you can make friends with an older guy, sort of like a father figure with question like "how do yo adjust this bike" Are these stair machines hard on the knees" usually they are pretty ok to approach and have a helping mentality

there is always the high school track, mall walking, walking at local trails...a friend suggested paved over railroad tracks at www.railstotrail.com for walking paths

small classes at you local community center like for yoga or zumba or pilates

I would say the being a social person and having anxiety about going to the gym are totally different. When I used to go to the gym all the time it was not really a social setting, although some people tried to make it that way. I always focused on my workout and didn't pay much attention to anyone else. In fact I often felt bothered when someone tried to make conversation while I was lifting. I know at the beginning I felt self conscious about how I looked because I was wearing tight fitting workout wear. Now that I am older, I don't really care what anyone else thinks about how I look.

I am just not a gym person I haven't gone to a gym in years! I actually decided I'd rather buy an elliptical then spend money year after year going to the gym. So I use the elliptical at home and also have a yoga ball and dumbbells and do Pilates and Yoga at home with DVD's. Besides that if I am going to walk, run or ride a bike I'd rather do it outside anyway. I just try to mix up what I do every now and then and I think I get as good of a work out as if I went to the gym.

I am just not a gym person I haven't gone to a gym in years! I actually decided I'd rather buy an elliptical then spend money year after year going to the gym. So I use the elliptical at home and also have a yoga ball and dumbbells and do Pilates and Yoga at home with DVD's. Besides that if I am going to walk, run or ride a bike I'd rather do it outside anyway. I just try to mix up what I do every now and then and I think I get as good of a work out as if I went to the gym.

I tried that, but then I never managed to use the thing. For me paying out the *kitten* for the gym membership is what makes me get off my butt and go, I did spend the money on it after all. Just gotta get into the habit of going every day, 3 weeks to make a habit right? ;-)

I know what you mean! I do better at a ladies only gym. In a mixed gym I feel inadequate, like the body builders (my husband is one of them) are critiquing my form, etc. I belonged to a ladies only gym, I loved it, went every single day for 2 hours (plus they had tanning beds and child care!) But they went out of business. Bummer. I cannot find another ladies only gym in my area. There is a Fitness USA by my house, but they alternate days for men and women, I don't like that either! I need child care, so I belong to the YMCA. I started going there, dropping my daughter off in the day care area, and then would hit a class. The classes are fun, I would always start out in the back. As the session went on, I ended up in the front.

Upstairs in the gym is another story. I don't like the work out with the machines and weights in front of the men pumping iron! I am so self conscious of that! So I don't, which makes me mad at myself, I should be able to! I use my own weights at home. I only use the track or the cardio machines.

I feel better knowing there are others out there just like me! So I guess there probably are more at the gym just like us too! Maybe we just need to bite the bullet and just go and sooner or later it will feel comfortable to us. We are entitled to the gym too!

I am just not a gym person I haven't gone to a gym in years! I actually decided I'd rather buy an elliptical then spend money year after year going to the gym. So I use the elliptical at home and also have a yoga ball and dumbbells and do Pilates and Yoga at home with DVD's. Besides that if I am going to walk, run or ride a bike I'd rather do it outside anyway. I just try to mix up what I do every now and then and I think I get as good of a work out as if I went to the gym.

I tried that, but then I never managed to use the thing. For me paying out the *kitten* for the gym membership is what makes me get off my butt and go, I did spend the money on it after all. Just gotta get into the habit of going every day, 3 weeks to make a habit right? ;-)

My elliptical is in my living room , classy right? But I have gotten to the point that having it there and not using it makes me feel guilty :-) I also signed up for a 5K on the 4th of July and spent money on the registration that I couldn't really afford, so that is what tends to keep me going because I spent the money so I better be able to do it (and not finish last) by then. Different things motivate different people, but at least we are making positive changes!!!

Feel the same way! My gym (Bally's) has a women's only room that is smaller and less crowded than the regular gym. I love going into it because I figure if they're in there instead of the regular part, they want that privacy and non-judgment too. maybe try to find a gym that has something like that?