Tips to overcome anxiety about going to classes alone

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  • SR_86
    SR_86 Posts: 58 Member
    I had the opposite fear from you, in a way!!
    I was totally cool with going to a group class, because you were being told what to do!! The thought of going into a gym with all those weights and scary machines was so much more terrifying!! I was scared I'd be this clueless girl just walking around too afraid to try a machine or set it up and adjust it properly!
    I need someone to tell me which exercise to do and that's why I preferred classes to begin with. Now I go to the gym too but I follow a programme. The first day is the hardest and it's all good after that! Good luck
  • marissafit06
    marissafit06 Posts: 1,996 Member
    edited February 2015
    You could also consider going to class during slightly off hours, i.e. don't go to the 6:00pm spin class when people are coming from work. In my experience those classes are often more crowded, which could feel more intimidating. I think testing out the gyms is a good idea, so you can get a vibe for the place and the classes.

    But usually no one is paying attention to anyone else in class. I do glance over at other people's bikes in my classes, but mostly because the instructor gives vague directions about adding levels and I want to make sure I'm on track. Also in a past yoga class, a guy nearly kicked me with his very cracked gross feet, but I can't remember his face for my life.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    SR_86 wrote: »
    I had the opposite fear from you, in a way!!
    I was totally cool with going to a group class, because you were being told what to do!! The thought of going into a gym with all those weights and scary machines was so much more terrifying!! I was scared I'd be this clueless girl just walking around too afraid to try a machine or set it up and adjust it properly!
    I need someone to tell me which exercise to do and that's why I preferred classes to begin with. Now I go to the gym too but I follow a programme. The first day is the hardest and it's all good after that! Good luck

    Oh, this was me. It took me almost 6 months of wanting to lift at my company gym before I finally started. I was using the treadmill to run there on days it was too hot outside. I didn't know what to do and was afraid to ask. It was the silliest thing ever because everyone in there is super helpful and now I go twice a week.
  • gemm30
    gemm30 Posts: 110 Member
    I was petrified when I went to my first class, this is how i overcame it. I walk to the gym so on way I played some of my favourite songs on my phone, I arrived a bit earlier to make sure the teacher knew I was a newbie, I smiled a lot and concentrated really hard on getting it right, I was and still am the biggest person in some classes, I also sweat horribly which always bothered me but now I know I'm going to the classes to one day not be the biggest, and my sweating just means I'm working really hard.
  • cbradley903
    cbradley903 Posts: 52 Member
    Ok so here is some advice from someone who has worked for many years in the pool. Ugh you say I don't want to get into a suit then get some shorts or swim skirt and put it over your suit wear a t shirt over it what ever it takes. I still need to loose 40 pounds and know that people of all sizes and ages come to my class. I can give a great workout in the water and make people sweat. I had the same problem with what you are talking about with land exercises. Wearing clingy clothing and trying to get off this weight. I had to take my own advice. Now I am craving but areas. I keep saying to myself the quote I seen one time. " dance like no one is watching". I really believe that. There is people that get into the water that have not wore a suit for 25 years or more but once they are in and get moving it is awesome how fast they make friends. Get you something comfty to wear water or land and go to it. If it is not a good feeling after a few trips then find another. Don't give up. I am over fifty and I decided it is still not to late to loose some weight even though I teach every week four times. It was time to step up my game and hit the land too. Best of luck would like to have some friends on here that can help each of us overcome the small stuff that block us at times.
  • knightreader
    knightreader Posts: 813 Member
    i walked in, alone, to a hot yoga class full of beautiful women wearing not much clothing with tremendous bodies. i was one of the only guys, clearly the heaviest, and the only newbie there. i got there early, introduced myself to the instructor and asked how i should handle being new. she gave me a few tips; set up in the back, make my goal to watch the first round of the pose, then try the second round of each pose, when to drink my water, stuff like that. things that took some of the anxiety out of it. i survived the class and at the end everyone clapped for me. was also a newbie at a spin class. same protocol; got there early, alerted the instructor to some limitations i thought i might have, asked for advice and just gave what i could. loved both classes and took each for about a year. miss them both, but so glad i took the step forward.

    the biggest thing i realized is that everyone is SO focused on themselves, no one is watching you. so go be you, have fun and enjoy the class.
  • JenniferInCt
    JenniferInCt Posts: 431 Member
    Lol! I love a few of your stories that turned an anxious situation into a humorous one! I needed that!
    And every single post has motivated me. I am going to to one trial and well see from there. Love you all for listening!
  • silvercat76
    silvercat76 Posts: 15 Member
    I joined my local Y a week ago as a family, I take the kids with me when they don't have school. I actually took my first class today, just do it you'll enjoy it, plus you'll get a workout in too!
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