scared to work out alone?

i prefer to work out by myself. I had people in the past bail out on me but you know, thats their problem. I can do what I want, whatever i want, for how ever long I want without worrying about my workout buddy. Yes its nice to have that person being their to encourage and push you through the workout, but i found that the gym members, trainers our outdoor runners are just as good or better than being with someone.

with that said, get your gym shoes on and get out there and work out!

Having a buddy always helps but going alone has its advantages. You never have to wait or get stood up or change your schedule. Basically, as long as you feel safe, just doing it over and over should get you more comfortable with going alone. Good luck!

I used to have the same problem and a few of my family joined the same gym so I thought good Ill have workout buddies....well Im the only one that wants to go so I had to overcome that and stop using it as my excuse and go and at first I would not go if they canceled but then realized my weight was going to stay the same if I kept it up....hopefully before long they will see my progress and jump on board so now I just put my music on and ignore everyone in the gym or If I cant get to the gym I work out to dvds at home or take my dog a walk. Good Luck, while its nice to workout with people its not always possible and if your paying for a membership take advantage of it and just go

I was like that..up until this past week. My thought is I want to do this..and I have to at some point stop leaning on others..and get the drive to do it on my own..so I now go...regardless of who is with me..

You are doing it for yourself....eventuall you will be able to go by yourself. try and search the member database to see if there are any MFPers who are in your area who will help keep you motivated..and join you at the gym

I was the same way. I work out at home now and I love it. For the past week I just started to go walking at a local park track alone. As for me it was because I was always uncomfortable with myself and how others would see me. Now that Im more happier with myself and body Im not ashamed (afraid) anymore to work out in "public"

I love working out alone esp since I've never had reliable work out friends and I have such a complicated schedule. Working out is best when u are focused on working out. Friends like to talk and chat too much.

I used to feel like this when I was new to the gym and didn't know anyone there. Give yourself some time, you'll meet people there and make some friends. If they have them at your gym, group fitnesses classes are a great way to get to know people. Just remember this may take some time. Actullally, having a fitness buddy may be keeping you from making friends. Does she have friends there? Does she introduce you to her.

But maybe you need to look for a new gym. Maybe the one you're going to is just too intimidating. I've belonged to 4 gyms over the years. 2 of them were full of giant muscle builder types (I'm sure some of them were on steroids) and 2 of them were more family oriented places. People were much friendlier and the atmosphere was much friendlier. In addition to the gyms, I have also gone to 2 exercise studios (for aerobic exercise classes)... those were great & I never felt uncomfortable going alone because within 2 weeks time I seemed to know everbody there. And I am not a particularly outgoing person, actually I'm a little shy.

As for going for a walk alone, I don't know were you live or how safe it is, but maybe your fears are justified. Maybe if your fears are justified, you could take a martial arts class or invest in a can of mace.

By the way, I have never had a workout buddy, I prefer to go it alone because I think that way I focus on exactly what I need to do for ME.

Good luck in overcoming your obstacles to fitness!

I love working out alone esp since I've never had reliable work out friends and I have such a complicated schedule. Working out is best when u are focused on working out. Friends like to talk and chat too much.

I agree, I've had so many workout partners in the past. Now its just better if I tackle my workouts alone, I get a lot more done.

I preferred to workout alone as my boyfriend doesn't like doing the workouts that I like to do as I don't like his work outs.

I totally understand this feeling, although I have to go alone all the time now. My former running partner moved away and I don't really want to try to find someone else. I feel uncomfortable going to the Movies alone, although I see lots of older people sitting alone now. I think when I was younger it felt like I wasn't successful socially if I didn't have someone with me. I haven't had to go alone much lately, but would if I had to. My wife likes the same movies as me, so we usually go together. We realized that it doesn't matter if anyone is next to you or not, you do the same thing. We sometimes now go to separate movies that start and end at the same time. My wife is disabled and doesn't work out, so I do that alone.

In hindsight, I actually missed more workouts, listened to drivel I really didn't like, and quit running when I had a partner. Things came up in their lives that wouldn't have affected me. I try to keep my life simple so I can avoid having "emergencies" but not everyone is the same. I am now thinking of starting to run again (after gaining 60 lbs), and from now on I am doing it alone.

I go the gym alone, and I honestly feel too self-conscious most of the time to get a good workout. However, my gym is a university gym where all students have membership through mandatory student fees. Not to say that there aren't serious people working out sometimes, but after midmorning it's big groups muscley dudes standing around talking (and flexing) to tiny girls in perfect hair and makeup and $300 lululemon outfits. None of them really working out even if they're on the machines. I feel insecure getting actually sweaty in my grungey clothes with all that going on. Obviously my solution is to go in first thing in the morning, but urg. Morning. And I don't really like going with friends, because I'm insecure about being horribly out of shape.

On the other hand, my boyfriend has finally agreed to go with me! I think it'll be easier to ignore the crowds and feel good working out with him.

Maybe its because Ima mom lol but my Gym time is ME time. I dont care who looks at me how which is part of why I can go alone. But my first 40 lbs lost I opnly worked out at home alone or went on walks with other over weight friends to avoid being judged. Im confident but at the same time have a major self confidence issue. Now I like going on walks with my other friends who wont do it alone while thye learn to be comfortable with themselves enough to workout alone. At the gym put in somne headphones and just go for it. Ill go a little slower on the treadmill for longer so I can read which envelopes me into that world (until my thighs start objecting)

I think a lot of it boils down to self-confidence. I used to feel kind of intimidated by the gym, especially the weight room. I went with my husband a few times and had him show me how to use the various machines and give me some good routines with the free weights. I also hired a personal trainer for a couple of sessions at the gym. Now I have my own workouts that I like to do, and I enjoy going on my own. I don't really care who is in there, whether it's big guys sweating and grunting or svelte young things in flashy outfits. I just go in and do my own routines. It also helps to take some classes because you get to know the instructors and some of the other gym members so you feel more comfortable.

It's like so many other things -- if you're new to it and don't really know what you're doing it can be kind of scary. But the more you do the more you will come to like it and value it as your time for yourself.