going to the gym alone !!!

I like to go to the gym, especially alone. I dont like conversation when Im trying to get my burn on. I see it as, if I make an *kitten* out of myself, I dont know anyone personally, so no big deal. I live in a small ish military town. I wandered around on the first day and I am sure everyone thought I was crazy. I wanted to get to know the equipment, and after I found a routine I liked, no one really pays attention to anyone else. And I blare my iPod

I actually prefer to go to the gym alone! I just want to put my earplugs in and go to town...not worry about what my friend is doing.

Whenever I use a new gym/fitness center, I'm always a bit uncertain at first (I want to look like I own the workout, not like I'm a befuddled newbie). Really, though, the first time is the hardest. If it helps, ask someone at the front dest to give you a quick tour so that you can locate and start with something that relaxes you and makes you feel comfortable. I always begin with an elliptical or treadmill, which gives me time to look around. It takes me several visits to muscle past all the boys and use the weight room.

(edited to add: at my gym, it's more like 90% of us are there doing our thing alone!)

I used to only want to go if my hubby was with me, but then ended up more frustrated than not when all he wanted to work on was upper body when I needed to be focusing on lower body : /

Then I had a girl gym buddy who thought it was social hour, didn't take things seriously and would flake out on workouts. Frustrating!!!

Finally, I just went on my own. I was a little intimidated at first, so I started out on the treadmill or recumbant bike and *WATCHED* everyone on the machines until I felt confident enough I could mimic them. The machines also have decals on them for the most part illustrating how they are used if you forget. Learning my way around the freeweight room came a little bit from what I remembered with my husband and a little bit from a free intro session with a PT. Heck... the coolest things I learn are the non-traditional uses for the equipment (like putting my foot through a hand grip on the cable tower to get in some awesome hip abduction moves, or just today I approached a woman who I've seen using the leg press machine sidelying with one leg so she could teach me).

You could even have a sense of humor about it. Last week I saw a new face in the gym; she was very heavy and sporting a tee that said "I beat anorexia!". Man, I just wanted to give her a huge hug and a high five for coming in

I've always gone alone. I put in my headphones, and concentrate on my workout. It would be nice to have a spotter with me for bench presses, but if I am worried about not being able to make a lift, I use the smith machine.

I just joined a gym a couple weeks ago. I had been going to Curves for awhile before that, but that was really more of a social hour than anything, and all ladies to boot. So this was my first experience walking into a "real" gym and I TOTALLY understand where you're coming from! It took me a full week from the time I joined until I actually got up the nerve to walk in on my own and work out and sweat ALONE and in public! I was sick with dread! But within about ten minutes of being there, I realized that I was focusing on my workout and not really paying attention to anyone else, which led me to the realization that they were all probably doing the same thing! No one cared what I was up to and no one pointed and laughed. We're all there for the same reason--to improve our own health and fitness, not to worry about anyone else's. So go for it! Once you get through the door that first time, it just gets easier and easier! Good luck!!

The first time I went to the gym alone for me was very scary. I felt like the odd person but as I got to know people at the gym it became less scary.