I want to start going to the gym but...
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Most gyms offer a free week trial. Go, try it, see if you like it.0
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Yeah, so... everyone had to start somewhere, and everyone probably at one point had similar excuses.Reinventi0n wrote: »Ideally, I would love to start going to the gym. However, going to gym is a bit intimidating to me for a few reasons. I am worried that I will be overwhelmed and unsure of what to do while I am there to maximize my efforts and will wind up wasting my time. I am also kind of introverted and don't really like the idea of working out with strangers, the idea makes me very uncomfortable. Going to the gym with a friend would make that easier for me, but right now that does not seem to be an option and I would probably need to go on my own.
The big difference between those who do or do not? The ability to realize an excuse is just that, and get on with it. With exposure, you'll become more comfortable and come to realize it's just as much yours as it is everyone else's.
If you want to work out, do it. Enjoy. If you don't want to work out, it's fine to. Just don't be a waffler that talks about wanting to work out, but creates excuses to avoid it. Those are pogues that no one likes.
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Some gyms offer a free session with a personal trainer with a gym membership. You could use that free session to learn where everything is and proper form with them. When you sign up ask for a tour also. Many people in the gym are just worried about themselves and won't pay attention to another. Headphones in world out is usually how it goes.
Yes. Personal trainer will teach you how to workout! You don't have to go forever, even a few sessions just to get comfortable will help immensely.
Or try exercise classes!0 -
I used to feel like this too. Id always join a gym then never commit to going regularly because i felt just as you described. However last year i joined after years and years of not belonging to one and i decided i no longer gave a *kitten* what anyone else thought about me being there lol. I joined for me and everyone else there is also there to help them live healthier lifestyles. If you are afraid of joining and not really knowing what to do, i urge you to join or do one of the week trials thats some gyms offer. And usually gyms always give you a free session of introducing you to the equipment and coming up with some type of plan, and also showing you the proper way to use the equipment. Almost always the first session, sometimes two, are free than after that youd have to trainer. Good luck with whatever you decide!
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Liftng4Lis wrote: »Most gyms offer a free week trial. Go, try it, see if you like it.
This.
Also, if you want to go to the gym there should be some reason why you think it would be helpful, which will help you decide what gym to try. For example, some reasons I can think of are (a) want to do cardio but have a hard time doing anything outside this time of year; (b) want to get into weights but don't have access to the equipment/are not sure what to do; (c) want access to a swimming pool; and (d) want some fun classes to do with other people.
Depending on what you are looking for--which you should think about and have in mind--it will affect how you do it. For example, if you just want classes or a pool, that's easy, just find out the relevant hours and the types of classes and go. If you just want cardio, again, easy, check out the gym, see what equipment they have that you enjoy, and if it's available when you will be there, etc., and get started.
The more intimidating thing, for many, is the weights stuff, and in addition to the usual tour and trial period, you'd want to consider whether you want to meet with a trainer(commonly offered as a free perk for new members) and if so you should be ready to explain what you want since otherwise it's not uncommon for them to make assumptions. Or, if you have an idea about what you want to do on your own, it's helpful to have everything ready and in mind before you go--for example, if you want to start a program, have written down the exercises and equipment and do what you can to learn form before you go (YouTube and so on). (IME, the session with a trainer can help with this, though.)0 -
I cried and had panic attacks because I was worried would laugh at me. When I opened the door and saw all the pro- I was terrified. I didn't know how to use the machines and I wanted to run away. But all those pro- resulted to be the nicest people I have ever met before. Pity the gym shoot down.
![:\](https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
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Have a plan. Make a specific list of the lifts/exercises you intend to do, and go in there and do them. Having your eye focused on the goal at hand keeps you from wandering, looking lost, or wondering if other people are staring at you (protip: they're not) and feeling embarrassed.
Or if you really want a jump start into the gym, buy one or two personal training sessions, as others have suggested, just to get your feet wet and increase confidence.0 -
I was the same way. Then I bit the bullet. Most people are not watching you and don't care what you're doing. They're usually engrossed into whatever they're doing and listening to. It's not bad. Everyone's there for similar reasons anyway!0
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You can always call the gym you're considering and ask when they are the most empty and go during those times.
At my gym it's empty between 2-4am. 9-noon. 2-4pm and then again after 9pm.0 -
Someone may have mentioned this already. When you go to the gym, have a plan. The few times I went without a plan I felt like a lost fart in the wind and it was horrible.
I now follow stronglifts 5x5 so when I go I have a reason, a purpose, a plan.0 -
Just in to say that being shy or embarrassed is not the same thing as being an introvert. I'm an introvert, tested and everything. All that means is that I get my energy from being alone. It does not mean that I can't be around people. That behavior is shyness and shyness can be overcome by jumping on in and just doing it until you are comfortable.
Ultimately, if you want to join a gym, go for it. Book a session or two to learn how to use the equipment so you are more confident. Trust me, no one (who is working hard) at the gym cares about what you are doing.
If it's too much for you, do something at home!0 -
What I did was read as much information before hand and watch as many videos as I could before hand. I taught myself everything before going into the gym.
Then once you do that, just say, "**** it" and do it! Lots of gyms will offer you one free introduction training session to help you as well. Take advantage of that.0 -
Everyone working out at the gym has the same goal. Change. They want to lose weight, they want to bulk up, they want to tone here or there. Everyone's personal goals are different, but the desire for results is the one thing they have in common. Go in, do your thing, bust your *kitten*, strive for results, and I guarantee no one will stare/judge/laugh.
No matter what you do, you'll always be more welcome in the gym than that one dude who sits on the weight bench and updates facebook after every rep.
Good luck, you can do it!0 -
I think feeling intimidated about going to the gym is totally normal. I know people who weren't overweight, but still felt stressed over going. No one likes to feel like they're being judged based on appearance. It's important to recognize that not every gym suits each person either. Get trial passes to a few different gyms and get a feel for each one before signing up. You might find one with a demographic that doesn't make you feel like an outsider. In high school, I was much more comfortable going to something like CURVES rather than the neighborhood gym where all of my peers went. Now, I had a gym/pool pass at a hotel rather than a traditional gym. Also, most gyms keep track of peak hours. Ask them and they can most likely recommend a time of day when it is less busy, which might help you get acclimated.
Another suggestion is to sign up for group classes somewhere first before joining a gym. It could help you get you used to the idea of working out around strangers but in a less overwhelming way.
You can always work out at home, but I think it's good to put yourself into uncomfortable situations. For me, going to the gym was about more than fitting in a workout. I have workout equipment at home and could've easily sequestered myself there, but going to the gym was about conquering a fear and not letting me put what's best for me aside in order to avoid a little discomfort. I felt like I didn't have a right to be there.
I'm one of the most self-conscious people I know, but eventually the fear kind of subsided. The more you go, the easier it becomes. I even wear my swimsuit in front of total strangers at the pool now. Honestly, some people will stare or whisper, it's just inevitable, but who are they anyway? I just try to use them as motivation to swim faster or pedal harder. Kind of like saying, "yeah, I'm fat, but I can still keep up with you."
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This is for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0WxyKGD7sU 0 -
I'm a extroverted former powerlifter with years of strength band training and I was nervous about going to the gym, but I wanted to stop stalling in my home training so I signed up a with a competent personal trainer at the local strongman gym. I started 5 months ago and have never been happier with an exercise program.0
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Hey,
So you'll be fine man its just like anything takes some time to get use to and adjust. I used youtube as my personal trainer and to learn how to do everything can't see how you couldn't do the same thing. I was 355lbs walking into the gym, could barely make it up the stairs...it felt as if everyone was looking at me too.... who gives a *kitten*! *kitten* them they are the ones with a problem.
Also if you live in the Mississauga/ Etobicoke area you're more than welcome to come with me to the gym anytime on the weekends
During the week I go to a different location by my office. Feel free to message me if by chance you do live in this area.
Take care,
Brad0 -
I'm a big believer in "so what"
so what if they snicker- or so what if they chuckle? so what? - ask yourself that and really think about it.0 -
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Although I've been lifting for around 2 years in the gym; I totally understand how you feel about taking the steps into the gym - you feel intimidated that people are snarking and staring at you for some odd reasons due to your shape or whatever. But when I first went to the gym (yes there are those immature people that do, express their feelings through staring - and there still is on me sometimes) - I simply ignore that BS and focus on your own weight training and when you are working out where there is an adrenaline rush (basically huffing and puffing and sweating), you suddenly don't care how other people react to you.
A tip I would give = bring a pair of headphones/earphones, turn the volume up, forget the world and focus on yourself.
Good luck!0 -
You'll remain intimidated by the gym as long as you continue to remain uneducated about what to do there and insist on avoiding time spent there.
We're all intimidated on the first day of school. To believe that we are all the same on the last day of school as the first day of school, is to believe that we are incapable of adapting, learning and growing as individuals.0 -
I'm an introvert and I love the gym. I think the bigger the place is, the less likely you are to have to engage in conversation. Or, if you go to a very small one like I do, once everyone knows your face, and knows that you aren't chatty, they leave you alone. Headphones help enormously - most people respect these. :-)0
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I'm an introvert and I love the gym. I think the bigger the place is, the less likely you are to have to engage in conversation. Or, if you go to a very small one like I do, once everyone knows your face, and knows that you aren't chatty, they leave you alone. Headphones help enormously - most people respect these. :-)
Respect The Headphones
It's true
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I recently started going to the gym. like 1 month or so now. the gym I go to everyone is either friendly or ignores you.Reinventi0n wrote: »Ideally, I would love to start going to the gym. However, going to gym is a bit intimidating to me for a few reasons.
The gym i go to you can pay for them to do up an exercise plan. they asked questions like what are you goals etc and gave me a 6 day plan, like 4 sets 6-8 reps of this, 20 mins on that. in a way that each day focuses on different areas so if you work through them all your not doing leg stuff two days in a row so everything gets a break. Maybe your potential gym does the same?Reinventi0n wrote: »I am worried that I will be overwhelmed and unsure of what to do while I am there to maximize my efforts and will wind up wasting my time.
yeah same i didn't like working out with strangers, just plug some head phones in and do it. or probably the better option is to not have head phones in and talk to people, say hi :P most people like i said are friendly or ignore you.Reinventi0n wrote: »I am also kind of introverted and don't really like the idea of working out with strangers, the idea makes me very uncomfortable. Going to the gym with a friend would make that easier for me, but right now that does not seem to be an option and I would probably need to go on my own.
Most machines i have seen have fairly detailed instructions on the machine. as long as you dont put it on some massive high weight you should be good to give things a go. just stop if it feels wierd or hurts.auntchellebelle wrote: »If you have never used the exercise machines, it is VERY important to have a training session. That way you don't injure yourself.
But getting some instructions never hurts.
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Make a plan before you go. It helps tremendously with both aspects (the wandering aimlessly and the worry about other people).
If you go in with a purpose, you will feel more confident. Focusing on your own plan helps you ignore those around you (and headphones too).
Most people at the gym are really just focusing on their own workout. I don't notice other people unless they are being super ridiculous (like screaming loudly, not just normal grunting), being creepy (the old man who likes to wear nothing under their shorts and everyone can see everything), or are on the piece of equipment I'm waiting to use.0 -
I joined a new gym back in November and I always find it intimidating too! Thankfully the people at the Y are very nice and I picked a large class and stood in the back until I felt comfortable. I still feel nervous every time a go to a new class or try something new out, but really everyone there is super supportive - especially the instructors. Give it a go!0
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I'm the opposite of you. I wouldn't like going to the gym with a friend because I'd be worrying about them, or what they thought of my work-out, etc. When I go, I have a quasi-plan in mind - I head right to the machine(s) I want, stick in my ear buds and work out. I'm in my own little world. It helps that I go so early in the morning because it's not crowded. Maybe you can "test it out" - make an appointment for a tour. I bet once you start you'll be fine. I used to think your way...but I don't pay too much attention to others at the gym and I realize others don't pay too much attention to me. We are all doing our thing. Good luck!0
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I was the same way. I read Starting Strength cover to cover and was all amped up to start lifting...but I felt so stupid and self conscious, even though I know nobody is really paying attention to anything else but their workout.
The way I got around it was going to the gym as soon as they opened, like 4-5am. There was maybe 2 other people there, so it really wasn't too bad. I went early mornings til I felt confident enough to go at a "normal" hour...of course this might be difficult if you're not a morning person. Lol.
Good luck!0
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