Tips to overcome anxiety about going to classes alone

This is one of those things where you have to grit your teeth and make yourself go the first few times until it becomes fun second nature.

When you attend the classes it really doesn't feel like exercising alone. There will be loads of people of different shape, size and ability. You'll be too busy concentrating on what you're doing to care what people think when you're there.

The only way to pull the trigger is just to do it. Honestly, worrying about being the biggest one there or feeling out of place is just you playing mind games with yourself. Every single one of the people in that room had a first time and felt just like you feel.You don't really think they are paying much attention to you, do you? They are too wrapped up in themselves and probably worrying what other people are thinking about them.

You're going to look and feel a bit silly the first few times, it just goes with the territory because you don't know the routines yet. Go and do your thing in the back of the room where only the instructor can see you. As you're flailing around, you're burning just as many calories as the others in the room and maybe more if you're really the biggest... which I doubt you will be.

I don't mean to be harsh but you just need to do it and get over it. You have to stop living in your head.

I'm a little shy in social situations where I don't know anyone. Last year, I wanted to try a challenging type of group exercise but I had some anxiety about the first workout. I just forced myself to smile a lot when I showed up. By the end of the first class, I'd already made friends. You just have to bite the bullet Go for it, girl!

There are many resources that will help you deal with anxiety, so I won't give a long list of anxiety-reducing techniques, but I will say that one of the errors in our thinking is often believing that anyone is really paying that much attention to us. People are thinking more about themselves and how they look than about other people. The people at the gym will be very excited to support you in achieving your health goals.

At least 50% of the people in the class will be going alone.
You smile say hello to them, find a spot and get on with it.
You gradually get to know the regulars and chat to them

Sign up for free trials at a few different gyms. Double check that classes are included in the trial (for example, at the Golds gym by me, spin classes were not included in the 30 day trial and zumba classes were $5 for non-gym members).

A lot of gyms will offer the same Les Mills classes: Body Pump, BodyCombat, BodyAttack, Body Step. Then there are the zumba variations: Zumba, Zumba Step, Zumba Toning, Zumba Toning, Aqua Zumba. If you try something at one gym with one instructor, don't be disheartened if you don't like it. I tried 4 different instructors at the Gold's gym by me. I thought one was kinda easy, low impact, and boring. Two others were okay. One was a wicked hard workout. I liked that one best. Spinning seems like it has a pretty level learning curve. You might want to start with that.

I do a lot of things alone. I swallow the feeling of social discomfort and just smile it off any time I try something new alone. The worst thing that could happen, as far as I'm concerned, is that I'm unhappy and I leave. Since I'm okay with that happening, I go for the risk every time.

Looking back at my time doing various group workout classes, I never once thought about or judged anyone. I was annoyed by women who came in late to Zumba and stood practically on my toes, but I couldn't tell you who they were or what they looked like for the life of me. I could not tell you who was the fattest or thinnest person there, apart from the time there was a 12 year old looking kid in one zumba class and I thought that was super inappropriate (gym had an 18+ policy).

Helpful etiquette hints for joining a group workout class:
-Bring water and a small towel if you think you'll be sweaty. See what other people do with their towels/water bottles. It's usually bad to keep your bottle with you in the center of the room for zumba/yoga/body pump. If you're worried you'll be thirsty, pick a spot close to the wall/back of the room for easy water access.
-Don't be late to classes. If there's equipment involved (hand weights, yoga mat, resistance bands), get there a little early to make sure you get what you need set up.
-Bring a padlock for the locker room, do not bring your gym bag into the fitness room. This may vary at some gyms, but I've only ever been to fitness classes that were pretty packed.
-Wear adequate deodorant.

JenniferInCt wrote: »

(Part of original post) But i just cant seem to pull the trigger. I get so anxious thinking about going alone, being the biggest one in the room, being the only one in the room, or just feeling out of place. I wish i had friends that would go with me but i dont. Any tips? How did you start going? Thanks guys! (Still dont get why my posts get cut off!) edited to add to post

If I were going to do classes (not really my thing), I think I'd rather do them alone (join without a friend/relative). If I don't know anyone there, then there can be no preconceived idea of who I am or what I'm like. I don't have to care what a bunch of strangers think of me. Who knows, maybe you'll actually make friends.

I first went to the classes with my friend. After that I was fine going alone. Even though I am in some class 4-5 days a week, I cannot bring myself to try a new class without knowing someone I know is going to be in there with me the first time. Crazy, huh??? LOL