Scared to go to the gym

MTurnbull406
MTurnbull406 Posts: 11 Member
edited November 30 in Getting Started
I am overweight but not terrible, and I have lifted weights since high school, I recently decided to go back to University and get a free gym membership, but I am so scared to go in to the gym and work out around people. I also want to bring a workout in there but I just don't know how to make a good efficient workout.

Replies

  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Don't be afraid ! I know its intimidating at first but once you get used to the place , you'll be fine ! I bring my workout plan on my phone and flip through it the entire time. Its no problem. Once you get up the courage to go, you will realize there's nothing to be scared of !
    If I lived closer ,I would personally walk you in there ! It breaks my heart when people want to work out but are too nervous to try the gym. Just trust me that everything will be okay and you'll be happy you went.
    Just type out your workout plan into your phones memo pad and then refer back to it when needed .
  • MTurnbull406
    MTurnbull406 Posts: 11 Member
    Luckly I can use my old high schools weight room for a few weeks but I'd like to work out at my college as well, I do know i am harder on myself than everyone else, but i dont want anyone to look at me while im there. Or at least figure out when theres not many in there.
  • distinctlybeautiful
    distinctlybeautiful Posts: 1,041 Member
    Ask the gym workers when the slowest times generally are, and then start out at those times. Once you get more comfortable, go whenever you want! I've been at this for nine months, and I still have plenty of days where I'm anxious about going because I don't feel I compare to the pretty ladies there. But I actually had one of those ladies tell me I inspired her! So you see, you never know what anyone is thinking - and the kicker? It doesn't matter! If they don't feel strongly enough to bring it up to your face, you'll never know! Next time you're at the gym or the high school weight room and someone's looking at you, imagine some crazy positive reason they're looking at you because that's just as likely to be true as any negative reason you come up with - and you'll feel better about yourself. Just some ranmbling thoughts.. hope there was something useful.
  • Fitnesspromiddleton
    Fitnesspromiddleton Posts: 15 Member
    I try to go when there are less people. I find 12pm to 4pm to be good and then after 7pm to close. The weekends after 3pm is good too. That 5pm -7pm is the worse. If your gym has classes don't go then because the gym will be crowded. People take classes and then workout in the gym area (at least where I go).

    I would definitely go because most people are too busy looking in mirror at themselves to notice anyone else (lol).
  • Bob314159
    Bob314159 Posts: 1,178 Member
    This morning at my gym, most people were sitting on equipment (not using it) and talking to the next person,or checking messages on the phone. To busy to look t my fat body. I only started weights and gym 4 months ago- petrified the first time I went in.
  • BodyByBex
    BodyByBex Posts: 3,685 Member
    thorsmom01 wrote: »
    Don't be afraid ! I know its intimidating at first but once you get used to the place , you'll be fine ! I bring my workout plan on my phone and flip through it the entire time. Its no problem. Once you get up the courage to go, you will realize there's nothing to be scared of !
    If I lived closer ,I would personally walk you in there ! It breaks my heart when people want to work out but are too nervous to try the gym. Just trust me that everything will be okay and you'll be happy you went.
    Just type out your workout plan into your phones memo pad and then refer back to it when needed .

    THIIIIISSS!

    It also makes me sad that I took so long to get into the gym due to this same anxiety.

  • feisty_bucket
    feisty_bucket Posts: 1,047 Member
    edited March 2016
    free gym membership, but I am so scared to go in to the gym and work out around people

    Can't help much with this, other than to say nobody cares what anybody else is doing at the gym and will pay zero attention to you. Do what you need to do. If you want to be strong, you must do the work and the gym is the best place to do it.

    Also, "free" gym membership = you're paying for it with your student fees. If you don't go, you're wasting it and being a sucker. Don't be a sucker, use it. Gym memberships are pretty expensive in the outside world.
    MTurnbull406 wrote: »
    I also want to bring a workout in there but I just don't know how to make a good efficient workout.

    There are a bunch of good beginner programs, stickied here and Reddit and exrx.net.

    There are only six essential movements (a push and pull along three axis of movement (above head, in front of body, below body)). Cover those movements with a full effort, be consistent, and you're golden.
  • lemurcat12
    lemurcat12 Posts: 30,886 Member
    distinctlybeautiful wrote: »
    Ask the gym workers when the slowest times generally are, and then start out at those times. Once you get more comfortable, go whenever you want!

    Yes, this. I started out nervous to go to the gym and I really wish I'd gotten over it sooner, but I know it's a real thing.

    Once you get into it you won't care, but I agree that going at a non-pressured time when you feel comfortable figuring stuff out is a good way to get into it.
  • feisty_bucket
    feisty_bucket Posts: 1,047 Member
    Also, you could just show up and do some recon. A scouting mission. Get a sense of the layout and what's there and how the lockers work, and where the different kinds of weights are. And take pictures of the machines to look up later and figure out what they do (pro-tip: some are a lot more useful than others, some are just traps).
  • wanderingrat
    wanderingrat Posts: 16 Member
    There's already a bunch of great tips here. I can just agree with that. Don't be scared, no one really gives much of a damn why anyone else is there if they go to the gym to work out. Those that go to the gym oogling at other people, well... honestly, aren't they a little pitiable rather than scary? And if they feel as if they have to offend anyone there, they most likely do it because they're very much intimidated by that person's courage and commitment.

    You are there to do some work, which is nothing to hide from. Beginners that turn up regularly are way more inspiring than the ones flexing in front of the mirror to me personally. It takes courage to commit to real work.
    The hardest part is accepting yourself the way you are now, which you're obviously not quite content with at the moment. But hey, you are there to change that!

    Also, even at the university gym (at least here that's the case) the staff is there to give you a proper introduction to the machines and help you choose a program that fits you personally. Here those people often are sport students getting in practice and therfore it's a free service. They'll be happy to help you, especially if you don't know what to do just yet. (It would be boring to introduce someone who already knows everything, right?)

    I'm pretty sure you can even make someone else happy and help them in return by going there, asking for help and then showing up regularly. How's that sound as an incentive?

    And one thing that I know can be very helpful: Try finding a gym buddy. Some uni-sport websites have a place where you can ask for a gym-buddy and describe your ideas. It usually gets way easier when you're not alone.
  • bmayes2014
    bmayes2014 Posts: 232 Member
    edited March 2016
    I think the advice above is great. I just want to encourage you to go!! No one is watching or judging you. We are ALL there because we want to improve and work on our bodies. People are actually quite helpful, in fact. YOU CAN DO THIS!
  • lisaisso
    lisaisso Posts: 337 Member
    You're just as entitled to be there, as anyone else is.
  • musicfan68
    musicfan68 Posts: 1,143 Member
    I'm physically disabled and at the beginning, I felt self-conscious about being at the gym. Over time though, I learned not to care. I was there for my own health and fitness, and people that didn't like the way I looked, didn't have to look at me. I had some people actually come up to me and tell me they were impressed with me, that I was doing a good job. I don't think most people care if you are fat or thin at the gym. I think most think 'good for them for trying to get healthy".
  • Happymom83
    Happymom83 Posts: 405 Member
    I just went to the gym for the first time ever yesterday. I have been petrified about going to due to some pretty intense social anxiety...My hubby and I went super early (4-5am) and there were only a few others there. I have to admit I had a lot of fun! There are soooo many amazing machines/tools at your fingertips :smiley: I personally LOVED the leg press!! :sweat_smile:
  • JLG1986
    JLG1986 Posts: 212 Member
    Don't be scared. Just pretend to be confident and go do what you want to do - the people at the gym are not your friends, coworkers, or family. No reason why their opinion should matter enough to stop you from pursuing your fitness! Before you know it, that confidence you're projecting will be real! (and yes, I give myself this speech on a regular basis when I'm about to do a new exercise, especially when I have no idea how to use the piece of equipment!)
  • CarlDeCatDaddy
    CarlDeCatDaddy Posts: 4 Member
    I work out at The Monon Center in Carmel, IN. I got back in the gym about a year and a half back, when I was wearing out pretty fast. I will say this. When I see a large person at the gym, my own thoughts are never critical. I'm like "He's here." Which puts the person ahead of the norm and ahead of the curve.
    From my experience, both myself and the people around me appear to be far too focused on their own efforts and thoughts to worry about what anyone else is doing.
    As for what do to, just start with something. Maybe spring for some training sessions. But don't worry about what other people think. You know what they say: "Dance like nobody's watching. Because they aren't. They're all staring at their phones."
  • bbop10
    bbop10 Posts: 59 Member
    MTurnbull406 wrote: »
    I am overweight but not terrible, and I have lifted weights since high school, I recently decided to go back to University and get a free gym membership, but I am so scared to go in to the gym and work out around people. I also want to bring a workout in there but I just don't know how to make a good efficient workout.

    I used to have the same concern because I lived in a small town and everywhere I went was like a mini high school reunion. My gym had old school mates and I was afraid they would see me and notice all the weight I gained since HS. I had to tell myself I wasn't there for them, I was there for me. Trust me, people are focused on their own workout, or at least they should be, and they are not so concerned about what others are doing. You can do it!! :smile:
  • murp4069
    murp4069 Posts: 494 Member
    A lot of people have this anxiety at first. I know it seems like people are watching or judging, but TBH I don't believe that to be the case. Everyone is focused on their own thing, I've never seen anyone look particularly worried or interested in what anyone else is doing. I can certainly say that I'm not interested in what anyone else is doing, unless they are using a machine I've never used and I'm curious as to how to use it. :)

    You just have to get in there and start going. Do you have a friend that can go with you? If your anxiety is truly preventing you from being able to go to the gym at all, perhaps that is an issue that needs to be addressed with a doctor.
  • chunky_pinup
    chunky_pinup Posts: 758 Member
    lisaisso wrote: »
    You're just as entitled to be there, as anyone else is.

    Yes. This. End of story.

    I had to tell myself this over and over and over again until I believed it, but this one sentence is the absolute truth.
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  • brrrrito
    brrrrito Posts: 39 Member
    I only pay attention to people when they don't clean the machine off when they're done with it :)

    Don't be scared! your health is worth more than what people might be thinking of you - but they're not thinking of anything but themselves - promise :)
  • lessismoreohio
    lessismoreohio Posts: 910 Member
    I was terrified to go to the gym when I started going a year ago. Now I'm used to seeing the same people there and they're used to seeing me. Now I actually look forward to going.
  • mysticwryter
    mysticwryter Posts: 111 Member
    edited March 2016
    Don't ever feel intimidated by others when you go to the gym. Be proud that you are going and putting your health at a higher standard. So what, you'll get some looks but everyone is there for the same reason (majorily; I have ran into females who just go to walk around in tight workout clothes to get noticed). Get in a zone when you are working out and you won't even notice anyone is even there.
  • AsrarHussain
    AsrarHussain Posts: 1,424 Member
    I remember last year, I think it was last year, I went to the gym, I had took a long absence of the gym due to a injury, I headed to the gym, I had a huge panic attack for some reason, I was scared. I slowly built up my confidence, I would say the only way is to research workout splits, go to the gym and face your fears, you will feel better for it
  • markiend
    markiend Posts: 461 Member
    edited March 2016
    As hard as the first step will be, it will be worth it. FWIW You will walk past more judgmental retards on the way to and from the gym than you will meet in there , so don't worry about the others and concentrate on doing your thing.

    you'll feel a lot better about yourself the more you push outside of your comfort zone

    good luck and let us know how you get on

    edit for clarity
  • Jams009
    Jams009 Posts: 345 Member
    Most people are just like you and are too worried about what others are thinking about them to notice what anyone else is doing. They are also focused on working out; sometimes I'll get in a zone and you could probably walk right up to me and wave your hand in my face before I see you. So as long as you aren't doing anything ridiculous like throwing weights in the air and making loud whooping noises, no one will notice or care what you're doing.

    Also; everyone I've ever spoken to at a gym has always been really cool. We're all there for the same reason so automatically have something in common to talk about.

    Good luck.
  • MTurnbull406
    MTurnbull406 Posts: 11 Member
    Well I know my way around a gym, I've just gained weight from a breakup and rolling my truck and being sedentary for 3 months, so I'm real weak and bigger than usual. Luckily my old high school (my brother goes there now) is in a super tiny town (i graduated with 5) so they are letting me use the gym and weight room in the mornings, so while I lose some weight and gain some strength back I can do it in private or with a couple people I know. My brother comes in and spots me :)

    I plan to get the 'big gym' here soon, but hopefully this will help me feel better about going, and hey I'm still working out, that's the goal right??

    Thank you for all the kind words!
    They are all very true!
  • DeLaFat
    DeLaFat Posts: 8 Member
    edited March 2016
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