Not ready to use the gym

Join the gym.
Who cares what people there think. Honestly, think of the type of person that would look down on your for trying to positively change your life....do you really care what they think? The gym is your time. Put in your head phones and get to work

If you're nervous about what exercises to do, or how to do them you can always get a personal trainer or someone experienced to workout with you. Or you could hire an online coach suggest a program and teach correct form.

Do you have a treadmill, elliptical or stationary bike? Those are always great.
If it's warm where you live you can always go for walks or runs.. C25K is a great program for beginners I'm doing it right now.
If you don't have any of this available to you i'd recommend workout DVD's. There's plenty of youtube. A good tough one is Jillian Michael's 30 day shred. Also search some zumba videos!

Honestly I agree with bm920. IF the only thing keeping you from joining the gym is worry about how you look, join. Seriously, most people are in there minding their own business and working out. They aren't worried about anyone else and how they look. BUT if there are people like that where you are, ignore them. If they are weird enough to be worried about what you're doing then it's their problem not yours. Honestly, I admire anyone that is trying to better themselves.

Now, if you still want to work out at home, I love the Leslie Sansone Walk At Home dvds. I usually use the 1 that is 3 miles. You can also find some of here videos on Youtube and walk that way. There are so many dvds out there that will allow you to get a variety of workouts right in your own home. Maybe get a treadmill or exercise bike, walk your neighborhood or just research workouts you can do at home using your own body weight. You got this girl!

I had a lot of anxiety about joining the gym. I had never been an athlete and felt so awkward doing anything too physical in front of others. Even my own husband didn't see me run for the first 9 years of our marriage! For me, completing the Couch-to-5K program helped me gain the physical confidence I needed to get a gym membership. We bought a used treadmill, and I ran on it while watching endless episodes of Grey's Anatomy. Now I still workout at home AND go to the gym.

For a long time, I used to think I had to get in shape to start going to the gym. So, I just never went.

Now, I've learned that it's kind of like ripping off a band-aid. When I join a new gym, I always feel uncomfortable for the first few times I go. But the thing is, I KNOW that I'm going to feel uncomfortable, and I also know that it will pass pretty quickly. The first time is the worst, but it gets better from there!

Pick an activity you know you're comfortable with to start, even just walking on a treadmill. Don't worry about doing a full workout or staying for a long time the first few times you go. Get used to the setting. Observe people--see what they do and what the etiquette seems to be. If you want to start strength training, look up a very simple routine you know you can probably do, and start there.

Seriously, in my opinion, going to a new gym always sucks and it always awkward. Know that a lot of people feel that way--you're not alone!

... you could also find a quiet hiking / walking trail.

I love my gym. Everyone is friendly, supportive and doesn't shove their opinions where they aren't wanted. There are the ridiculously fit, the obese and everything in between and everyone is in there just focusing on their own fitness; not judging and critiquing you. Before I joined, though, I built my stamina and confidence by doing the 30 Day Shred (any fitness DVD or even the C25k program would work) which made me feel much less winded when I finally did join - maybe that will help you. Don't worry about how you look. The point of the gym is to work off the fat and build that muscle - you're there to do exactly what you look like you're there to do, regardless of size or appearance.

Join the gym. You'll find people of all shapes, sizes, and age there and for the most part people won't pay you any mind.

And the people who are paying attention you are probably on MFP.

It's true, most people don't care, and if they do, it doesn't matter because that's on them.

But if it bothers you enough to prevent you going, here's how people at the gym will be able to tell you're new and will cut you some slack: wear a baggy t-shirt and capris (or leggings or yoga pants). It will cover whatever you're worried about, and is the new person at the gym uniform. It's basically a magic license to look like you don't know what you're doing with equipment, and to ask questions. No one judges a person in a baggy t-shirt.

Find the right gym, and join up. Buy some nice gym outfits so that you want to put them on and attend. My gym is a community based gym, so there are lots of parents (with their teenage kids)and older people there. People range in size and not everyone looks like The Rock. In fact, I can only think of one guy who does look that way! The gym has indoor courts ie basketball, soccer, and a pool for kids to learn to swim. If you are concerned that you are not fit enough to go to a gym, then find a gym like mine. I have also attended a gym once in the UK, that was a private ladies only gym. Find the right gym, and then you will want to go. Tell them that you are shopping around, and they will all give you a free work out for the first time so that you can check out their facilities. After trying out a couple, then you will feel confident that you have made the right choice and will be more committed.

Hi. I don’t feel comfortable in the gym, but having realised that exercise is necessary to loose weight (I have about 5 stone to loose) I have spent a few months trying out all of the different options (spinning, zumba, aquafit, jogging, dvds at home, cross trainer at home… ) – and I honestly think this is the way forward. The hardest part is motivating yourself, so you need to find an exercise option that you can actually enjoy….

For starters, as a size 20 lady I have found that clothes designed for yoga are much better than those designed for the gym – yoga tops tend to be longer length and looser fitting so that helps me feel less self-conscience
.
Recently in my quest to try everything – I’ve started going to a bootcamp in the local park. Everyone else is slimmer and fitter than me, its true, but because we all work at our own pace I don’t feel that I stand out as much as I do in the gym. Also, at the end of the session I had a quick chat with the trainer and he’s set me some exercises to do at home – just 10 minutes per day to start with, simple things I can do in my PJ’s but 2 weeks in and I’m already noticing the difference. Its incredibly hard turning up on week one on your own (I get there early so that I don’t have to walk into a full room), but I’m hopeful it will get easier.

I have found that most places (especially independents) will give you a free trial to see if its for you, if you ask in advance.

Motivating yourself is the hardest part, so my advice would be don’t spend a lot of money on fitness equipment for use at home until you’ve tried out that type of workout (ie treadmill, cross trainer etc) and know its for you. The freebie option of course, is just walking – invest in a good pedometer (I got a fitbit for Christmas which I love because it syncs with MFP) and aim for 10,000 steps a day – which for me is made up parking the car a bit further away and some nights just running up the stairs a few times… I’m not up to 10,000 yet but it’s a reasonable target.

Whatever you do you have to enjoy it and feel comfortable – my advice is just try out as many things as you can find, until you get the one that’s right for you. You could maybe take a friend along – not necessarily to become a workout buddy but just to give you confidence to try things out, for that first time.

Hi, OP! I believe you should sign up at a gym, get a trainer to help you with some things if you don't feel confident that you're doing them right, and just DO IT! Anybody who has time to watch you at the gym needs to sort their own life out. It's got nothing to do with you. People watching is for the mall

If you really can't find the courage to hit the gym yet, there are a few DVDs I did when I getting into working out a few years ago, and I really enjoyed them. Great workout & really good for beginners in my opinion:

Turbo Jam (cardio kickboxing - awesome music)
Turbo Fire (HIIT - awesome music)
Pauline Nordin Butt Bible
Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred

Good luck with your journey! I'm excited for you to begin!

Many gyms have staff who can give you an introduction to the gym and give suggestions of what you should focus on based on your goals. There are also lots of books and websites. JoRocka mentions some of the most highly-regarded ones. I go to my gym 3-4 times a week, doing strength training, cardio machines, and classes. We are all there getting fit. You start where you are. Believe me, there is very little chance that anyone is noticing you in a negative way. If you decide to work out on your own for now, you can start with Leslie Sansone videos, or if you like dancing, I highly recommend Hip Hop Abs. It's almost all low impact, and there are modified moves if you need them at first. It's a lot of fun, and effective. Look for some videos of bodyweight exercises you can do at home; planks, squats, wall sits, lunges, etc. Whether you work out at home or at the gym, it won't take you too long to feel more confident. :-)

Food for thought.
People may notice you. And they will likely have a lot of respect for you.
I notice many people in my gym. I like to people watch. And except for that brunette who keeps moving the fan (seriously lady, cut the crap), and that teen who consumes a weight station to do nothing more than play on her phone 20 minutes at a time, I have a great deal of respect for everyone there. When I look at the severely obese, I am amazed and impressed that they have found the courage for change. For the woman with the dark circles, I am amazed and impressed that she probably had a sleepless night with kids and dishes and work and she's still there. For the guy running 5 miles next to me at sprint pace, I am amazed and impressed with his focus. For the lifter in the back with the amazing curves, I am amazed and impressed with the obvious time, dedication and work they have put in to earn the body they have.
So consider this. A lot of people won't even notice you. But those who do may very well have awesome thoughts.

JoRocka wrote: »

Gym isnt' for fit people.

Gym is for people who want to work out.
it's not a special club for the only super fit.

You can do it- do some research on barbell based programs- starting strength- strong lifts- new rules of lifting for women- strong curves- research - and then you'll have an idea of what your'e doing.

half the problem walking into the gym is that people don't know what to do- and when you don't know what to do- you feel uncomfortable and self conscious- like the first time visiting the doctor- getting your oil changed- or even filling your own car up with gas- when you first got your liscence. But once you KNOW how it's done... and you do it regularly- it's no big deal.

All of this!

Also realize that no one is looking at you. No one is looking at you. Again, NO ONE IS LOOKING AT YOU.

People are too focused on doing their own thing, the only time they will give you a thought is if you're using equipment that they want.

So join the gym or the group classes and rock it. Get yourself some good music and kill it. And then come back and tell us how awesome you are.