New to this.. scared about joining a gym?!

I was nervous at first, but I LOVE it there now. It's like my home away from home, where I got to escape, I can work out without the kids needing me and it is "my time". I put on my ipod and my headphones and ignore th rest of the world and just focus on getting in the best workout I can!

Don't feel self conscious! We aren't at the gym to stare at others. We are all there for the same reasons--to get fit, be healthy, feel good, etc...You won't regret doing it.

So true!!!!
And if they are staring at you...just think to yourself...I'm sexy and they know it!!!

Hi there,

I'd say it depends on the gym. Some of them are full of skinny fit folks with fake tan and perfect hair in the latest workout gear (and sometimes makeup), some of them have the weights room dominated by men who look like they've been skinned then dipped in brown oil...some of them are fairly low key with a range of people... they vary.

I'd say make sure you go and have a good look around (and see if you can have a trial) before you sign up to an expensive contract. And check the contract thoroughly - can you cancel? How much would it cost? Do you get any guidance - a personalised programme? How helpful are the staff? Do you want to do group classes? etc etc. Many, many people join gyms then stop going...

Personally, if you say you've never done any exercise, I'd start with a 15 min walk most days. Or something like the 'couch to 5K' app if you want to try an intro to running. Or take some classes at a community centre i.e. yoga, dance, whatever you might enjoy. Or an exercise DVD at home...

But then again, I've tried gyms and they don't do it for me.

Good luck, whatever you choose to do (and I agree, don't bother feeling self conscious - you're not there for anyone else's benefit!)

So, if you go to the gym you may encounter some people who are fitter than you, and indeed, some who look in GREAT shape. Don't feel intimidated by this. One of the reasons they look good is BECAUSE they go to the gym. Become one of them and look at those fitter people as a motivating factor for you. It's not easy, it takes commitment, but you can do the same. The longest journey begins with a single step, make it...

Rgds, David

For me, the scariest part about going to the gym is the going part. But once youre in there, and youre working out, and especially when youve finished, you will feel an overwhelming sense of achievement (and be awfully sweaty if youve worked out hard enough :P).

Hi everyone!!

I really love this site.. I've been here tracking food and eating right for a month or so and so far only lost about 3lbs, After deciding i REALLY needed a big lifestyle change and need to get in shape. I've never been so motivated before and I dont think ive ever stuck to any kind of diet or healthy eating for this long.

I never ever exercise but I do however REALLY want to join my local gym which is something i planned to do this weekend. I was just discussing this with a family member who said something to the effect of "as long as you remember you will probably feel quite self conscious" which has made me even more self conscious and now im starting to doubt joining ! :ohwell:

I'm just looking for advice and motivation as im sure there are many other people out there who have been in my position, Was it as scary and intimidating as you thought it would be??

thanks

Ok, first of all, CONGRATS!! You're doing so well

Secondly, that family member needs to be punched in the head. Just sayin'.

As for being self conscious? Think of it this way: They're all there (well, almost all) for the same reason. Set up time with the gym personnel to go over all the machines, how to use them properly, a workout schedule that is manageable, and then go and play and have fun! You will see all shapes and sizes there.

And again, anyone who thinks it's something to laugh at for you to be at a gym should be punched in the face.

:flowerforyou:

ETA: I read this somewhere long ago and I bring it to mind whenever I'm in an uncomfortabl situation where I fear being judged (and I am seriously paraphrasing here): No one thinks of you as often as you think. AKA We really aren't at the forefront of other people's minds that often.

You might be a little nervous at first, but go for it!!! That feeling leaves very quickly. I LOVE going to the gym...love, love, love. Just DO IT! :happy: Work with a trainer a bit at first if you're not comfortable. That way you'll not be afraid to get in there and use the weights, etc.. Own it!!

Ive been feeling the same way about joining a gym, especially since I live in a very small town (its crazy we even have a gym..)but you can di it! or of you dont feel comfortable you cant always work out at home to start, thats what Ive been doing.

There is a gym i go to- i think its a "chain" and its called Planet Fittness. It advertises it self as a "Non judgemental Zone", and has "Lunk Alarms". There are very strict rules posted "if you are judging someone, or attract un-due attention to yourself by dropping weights, showing off, etc, you will be asked to leave". "This is a judgement free Zone". I belong there, I am not the only very overweight grey haired lady there "trying" to exercise. Its only $10 per month. Its the first gym i ever felt comfortable at, and ii have belonged to a few ( for short periods of time) over the last 30 years. If they have one near you, give it a try....

We have those gyms out here, and I'm certainly thinking of joining. I'm more so interested in the treadmills, ellipticals, and what not since that is equipment I don't have at home. I have all the weights I could ever dream of, but would love an hour or two on the treadmill everyday. Especially since my new scale puts me at 8 pounds heavier than my old one... have a lot of work to do.

I used to feel the same way but I decided I really needed to get it going activity-wise so I joined and at work no less! The thought of working out in front of co-workers and people I know terrified me but now I don't even give it a second thought. You can start out slow by walking on the treadmill and scouting out the gym. You'll see very quickly that everyone is usually busy doing their own thing. I got over my nervousness and now even take classes with other co-workers and employees. Go for it - you'll be fine. :-)

Do a little research. Find somewhere where you really feel comfortable. I was a member of LA Fitness but do you know how many times I went? Like twice. PERSONALLY (and this is my experience; I know people who love it there) I hated it. The trainers sucked. I felt like I was being shamed when they did workouts with me, they did workouts that aggravated my back injury even when I told them specifically what I could not do, and overall, it was not pleasant. Naturally I was wary of gyms after that.
I found my current gym by writing an email to them and explaining what I had been through. I got a call the next day saying he'd show me around, that they were having a membership special, but there was no pressure to join (obviously he wanted me to join though).
I walked in and I loved it right away. I met my trainer who asked me what I hated about the other trainers I had worked with. I told her they did not LISTEN to me at all and I felt really discouraged by them. She's AWESOME. She listens to everything I tell her. If I don't like a workout, we don't do it. She finds another way to work those particular set of muscles. And every trainer is motivating. I can walk up to any staff member and be like, "I lost a pound!" and they'll encourage me and celebrate with me, and it feels genuine. The people are also great. Big and small, fit and fat, we're all there doing the same thing. :>

I joined my local gym about weeks ago and it was one of the best thing that i have ever done

go tfor it you will love it

That was insensitive of someone to say to you. Don't let it make you feel intimidated at all.

I've been going to a gym for years...years ago when I weighed 240 lbs at my highest, and (more consistently) now that I'm down to my goal weight....and people mostly are just doing their own thing. Nobody will be worried about what you're doing or not doing and if they are...to hell with them!

Wow, what an odd thing to say to someone.....
I go to a gym, just recently joined...first time ever.
Let me first just say that there are ALL kinds of shapes and sizes at the gym! And most of those people were new to the gym at some point during there lives. In my experience, people are very respectful of each other and don't gawk or stare. Everyone is at the gym for the same reason, to get fit and healthy and usually most are very helpful.
When I first started I walked around and checked out some of the equipment, watched what people were doing (not in a creepy way, lol) and just started at my own pace. You know what I also noticed? There were other people doing the same thing!
Please don't let someone else turn you off going to the gym...once you start and you stick to it, you will find yourself missing it the days that you don't go! True story.
Usually most people have their earphones in and are rocking away in their own head doing their own thing! Lol

it was scary at my size to join a gym! however i searched and found a great gym Planet fittnes it is a judge free zone!
I found there were peole my size and bigger and i didnt have to be fit to go! Go figure a gym that will help you get fit!! so search out the gym and look who is there and remember even if there is a lot of healthy looking people we all started out needing the gym! I had a massive heart attack in june and decided i had to CHANGE!! however i have gained 35 pounds since then and i need to increase my activity!!!! If you need encouragement reach out!!! good lock and rememebr its for you!!!