Gymtimidation

Fatty_Fatass · May 2012

Hello My Fellow My Fitness Pal People,

I have gotten so bored with walking and jogging that I can't stand it anymore.

I used to dread doing my walking and jogging because it was hard........
Now I am dreading the monotony of it so much that I don't really do it very often.

I decided to join a gym. It seemed like a good thing to do. I was pretty excited about it.

I had planned to go in at 5 am every morning before my day starts and get some cardio, and then return there a few times in the late afternoons / evenings for more cardio and some weight training.......

I got up early and I drove out to the gym and.......
I just had the weirdest sensation.......
I just couldn't go in.

I have been out there literally 15 times this week and its happened every single time.....

There was definetly some nervous anxiety attached.
I have never been to a gym before and I am not sure what to do.
I have never been the most social person........
Women scare the hell out of me.......
.............and everyone that I could see in there thru the window seemed so super fit.....

I looked it up online and it seems other people often have this feeling.....
So many in fact that there is actually a clinical name for it "Gymtimidation".

Anyone else been thru this?

What do you do ?

I really DO want to go in there and use the equipment and find a routine......
I think I am probably fit enough to use the equipment in a way that would not draw attention to me or embarass me....

Even so.......... I just can't seem to go in there.......

Help !

MMarvelous · May 2012

Can you take a guest with you in the evenings? If so take a friend for the 1st time. Ask the staff to show you all the equipment and rooms as well as work out schedules. It gets easier but the first time is the most difficult I agree!

Microfiber_wechange · May 2012

I had planned to go in at 5 am every morning before my day starts

There won't be many people around at that time, I don't think

susanloveszumba · May 2012

All i can say is just suck it up and walk in there!!! Nobody in there is really wanting to be social so you don't have to worry about that. I have this problem at times when strength training. Some days i have to literally squeeze myself through all the huge body builder type of men to get into the weight room and that makes me want to turn around and go home. But, i just remind myself that I deserve to be here as much as they do. You will be fine after the first time, I promise

Jo2926 · May 2012

Does the gym have a trainer you could book a session with? They can show you how to use the machines and set you up with a programme, and having an appointment may help to get you inside.

I've just joined a gym and I don;t much like it, BUT absolutely no one judges me in there (even though I am probably the biggest women there and it is full of really thin girls). The reason? They are too busy talking to their friends or concentrating on exercise. Honnestly. The only people who will look at you are the ones doing less than you!

Good luck and go in. Even if just to walk round and do nothing the first time - just look. Every time you go through the door it will be easier.

DaveC29 · May 2012

If all the people at the gym are perfectly fit then you may not have the right gym...

At my gym there are all kinds:

The muscleheads that drop the weights and grunt loudly
The super overweight people that are trying to better themselves
The average people like me that have a little extra to work off
etc., etc.

You have to be comfortable there, and you have to be comfortable with you. It is tough if you are intraverted to go out and make new friends at the gym, but you have to at least go in and try it out (or find a gym you are comfortable at)

As you read post here on MFP, you get inspiration from others, you should find the same thing at the gym- I look a fit people at the gym and say to myself- that guy has done what I want to do, what can I learn from him? Most people at my gym have a story about how they lost 20, 50, 100 lbs or how they are toning up for a wedding, or for whatever. Point is- they are there for the same reason you are- to look and feel better!

Good luck!

MoreThanMommie · May 2012

Not sure how much help I can give you but maybe next time you go, try getting out of the car. Then the next time try walking to the door? Work your way inside? I don't know. Just an Idea. I'm sorry, that's got to be really hard. *Hugs*

TheWinman · May 2012

You just have to go do it. What kind of gym is it? A very small local gym, a gym that is part of a chain or a super big gym. The small local gym would be the only gym that may have all fit people, the other gyms have people all shapes and sizes, don't worry about that.
Just go ahead and do it. Like has been said, get a trainer if need be for the first session so they can show yo how to use the equipment. Remember, most people are busy doing what they came there for, they are not watching everyone else.

StaceyL76 · May 2012

I feel for you. I can totally understand this. I agree with take someone with you the first time. Or sign up for an orientation with a trainer for the first time. It can be very intimidating. You are doing aweosme and this is just another little hurdle you will jump with ease.

Have a great day. = )

Blackbird16 · May 2012

Having a trainer there definitely helps! because then you have someone there to keep you motivated and you can focus on your workout and them instead of what everyone else in the gym looks like and the workouts theyre doing

tabulator32 · May 2012

1. Keep walking and jogging.

2. Keep going to the gym.

3. Get an mp3 player and earbuds and a subscription to audio.com...insert earbuds and press "play"

You are getting bored and need additional stimulus to your brain. Block out the banal and humdrum and keep your mind occupied with more interesting things.

wellingfamily507 · May 2012

I have changed my outlook on fitness this year, I am doing this for me, I am worth it. Now having changed my outlook, I walk into the gym with only me , my workout, and how I am doing on my mind. I take classes, and have found it's a great way to get started, change up my routine, and meet other people. I have found that many of the people I meet at the gym are friendly, and will answer quick questions about equipment, if you ask at tteh recpetion desk, many times they offer a intro class on how to use all of the equipment as well. Good luck, and do it for you! You may see the super fit people when you look in the window, but I used to feel that I didn't want to be seen by everyone outside, so I would avoid the equipment in front of the window....just a thought....

kiminikimkim · May 2012

Make an appointment with a trainer so they can give you a tour of the facility and show you how the equipment works.

If you're the responsible type, you won't stand-up your trainer and miss the appointment. It's a matter of transitioning yourself to a new routine. Once you're in your new routine, you will think less about the anxiety of the unknown by just completing your workouts everyday.

Good Luck!

ashhhhole · May 2012

I get that feeling all the time. My best advice is see I there is someone you can get to go with you the first couple of times. Then, try going around 30-45 minutes before close. At my gym so few people are there then, and they're leaving as I'm working out so if I'm feeling intimidated I can remind myself that they're going to be gone soon. Also, it's good to remind yourself that really, no one is paying attention to you. Not anymore than they would outside the gym anyway. People are there to do their thing and as long as you aren't drawing attention to yourself no one cares what you do.

Newf77 · May 2012

My best advice is set-up a introduction meeting, this forces you to be there at a specific time and helps you by knowing there is going to be someone there that will welcome you and get you familiar with the equipment.
Once you get going it gets easier each time.

lakota1307 · May 2012

You could try a few things, Taking a friend is excellent Idea, instead of early , maybe wait until you have a day off and go at 1 in the afternoon and talk to the staff, go on a Saturday afternoon and just ask for a tour from the staff tell them you are considering coming in , " Tell the staff you would prefer working out at a time when they are not busy, TELL THEM WHY !! you will be surprised they usually understand that , YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT FEELS THAT WAY !!! you could go in the late evening before closing ( on a day when you don't need to get up early "Friday or Saturday " many of the 'Hard body Types that make you uncomfortable are more than likely out on the town at dinner and social events. I guarantee those who are there late evening are hard core and most are very very encouraging and will tell you to keep up the good work, First time I was in a gym at 300lbs I was shocked at how many people gave me the thumbs up and said encouraging word... People who are in shape LOVE to see others taking a step forward to get in shape and stay in shape!! Remember you are there for the same reason they are !!! you have something in common that is why you are there!! and last but not least --you have to ignore all those around you and remember you are doing this for you !!

aheartbeatsos · May 2012

Even though I've been a member a different gyms, I still experience anxiety when joining a new gym.
This year I joined the campus gym, and the first day I went I had a full blown anxiety attack,
I got hung up on the little things - the card swipe machine, the lockers, the fitness of the other members - things that really don't matter in the long run.
I spent an hour walking around campus trying to reason with myself..or at least come up with an acceptable excuse not to go that day. Eventually I called my mother in tears because I felt like such a loser and couldn't understand why something as small as going to the gym was causing so much distress.
Her advice is the advice I will give to you - Just go for it.

I only lasted twenty minutes in the gym the first time but the fact that I went made the second time easier.
The second time made the third time easier and so on.
Now I go four to five times a week and although I'm not 100% comfortable I am at least 95% comfortable with being there!
(You'll never catch me in the weights section..I've yet to get the nerve to go to that side! But it's on the old To Do list!)

There's a lot of great advice coming from others as well

Take a friend if you can, go when it's less busy, take a tour etc etc
I'm sure you'll be in that gym in no time!

docktorfokse · May 2012

If all the people at the gym are perfectly fit then you may not have the right gym...

At my gym there are all kinds:

The muscleheads that drop the weights and grunt loudly
The super overweight people that are trying to better themselves
The average people like me that have a little extra to work off
etc., etc.

You have to be comfortable there, and you have to be comfortable with you. It is tough if you are intraverted to go out and make new friends at the gym, but you have to at least go in and try it out (or find a gym you are comfortable at)

As you read post here on MFP, you get inspiration from others, you should find the same thing at the gym- I look a fit people at the gym and say to myself- that guy has done what I want to do, what can I learn from him? Most people at my gym have a story about how they lost 20, 50, 100 lbs or how they are toning up for a wedding, or for whatever. Point is- they are there for the same reason you are- to look and feel better!

Good luck!

well, not everyone there is lifting weights they can delicately set down without exertion

at any rate, there's no need to be intimidated, OP. no one there is really judging you, and it's common to think people are staring at you when they're really just glancing around between sets. if anything, most people will be happy for you for trying to better yourself, as long as you're being courteous with equipment.

Kaydana123 · May 2012

I was terrified the first time I went into a gym, but once I was there I found it a lot easier (in terms of feeling like people are looking at me/judging me) to go to a gym than to run in public.

I'd definitely recommend taking a tour, as other people have suggested. They'll show you how to use the equipment so you'll know what you're doing when you first go in on your own. Knowing how to use the equipment made it a lot less intimidating for me.

meerkat70 · May 2012

I've just read your profile. I have to say.... you need to change it. NOW. You have to stop putting yourself down, and gain a little faith in yourself. You've achieved a lot. But the experience you're describing here is part of a pattern of you being way, way too down on yourself. You won't achieve your goals as long as you're setting this up as a punitive enterprise against a body that you hate. To be really successful, you've got to love that body. It's *you*.

Just get in there, and ask someone to show you around. You'll be fine.

Tmsmith007 · May 2012

Hi there, there were some really great comment threads, but I am with the consensus. Make the appt to get familiar with the gym. Pay attention, because it's important for your safety and COMMIT to going and doing. Oh, no matter what you are doing you will get bored, thus focus on the word COMMIT and follow through and wa la your done.

Razzlebari · May 2012

I got over my gymtimidation in college, when we had a super amazing workout facility that really was my only option. From the standpoint of someone relatively fit (now), I'd have to say - I never EVER have negative or judgmental thoughts about people who have a significant amount of weight to lose when they're on the machines. Hooray for them, because everyone at the gym is taking time out of the day to improve their health and fitness!

Walk in with confidence, my friend, because you deserve to use the facilities just as much as everyone else. As someone at the front desk to show you the machine(s) you'd like to focus on. Maybe just check out one machine each day, to get the lay of the land. Don't let your gymtimidation get in the way of your health - you deserve to go in and get the opportunity to use those machines, too.

Good luck!

hpsaucette · May 2012

I completely get what you're feeling like. But at least you can make it as far as the gym, I for one have the biggest battle getting there in the first place.
All the gyms I've ever been to are obliged to make anyone who works out there have an induction on the equipment as even if they're used them before they want to make sure no one gets injured. So everyone at the gym will have a)been a beginner once and b)had to do an induction.
From my experience once your in the gym most people are too hard concentrating on themselves and their workout to be paying attention to you. It's a bit like saying spiders are probably more scared of you then you are of them - people are probably more bothered about being self-concious themselves then paying attention to you. Try and focus on something else once your in there - like the tv screens they might have? Or music that you can take along? Or podcasts and radio?

Good luck! (sorry if what i've said above is a repeat of what everyone else has said

)

jsaunde77 · May 2012

Definitely take an orientation with someone who works at the gym, I think just about all of them offer this. You can also search online for a 3 day a week workout, I found one recently that helped fill in some of the gaps in my weight work.

Depending on what your gym has in the way of equipment, you might have to change a few routines around to suit your equipment, but it'll give you a decent roadmap to getting started. I always felt out of sorts until I got a solid plan together for my week.

Monday - Chest & Triceps & Abs/ 30 minutes cardio
Wednesday - Back & Biceps & Abs/ 30 minutes cardio
Friday - Legs & Shoulders & Abs / 30 minutes of cardio

Take the plunge, all the giant people started in the parking lot just like you are

lil_pulp · May 2012

I never would have gone into the gym the first time if I hadn't had an appointment with a trainer. Knowing that I was paying for this appointment and that someone was waiting for me was motivation to actually go. During the initial meeting, I told the trainer that I wanted her to tell me exactly what to do when I go to the gym and have x minutes to work out. Before leaving that first appointment, I scheduled a second one so that I knew someone would soon be asking me "so, how are your gym workouts going?" Good luck!

Dozrzz · May 2012

I just joined a gym yesterday. I have the same anixiety about the gym and I had to force myself to walk in and join in the first place. What I have done is signed up for 6 sessions with a personal trainer through the gym. I figure if I have specific appointment with a specific person then that will force me to go in. And then this way I can get used to walking into the gym, I will have a better idea as to the different types of people who use the gym and hopefully I will just feel more comfortable with the idea overall.

It is expensive to get a trainer. Mine is $45 per session. But I think it will be worth it!

goddamnelectric · May 2012

I know how you feel. In fact, I moved last year and I could very well go to the gym right by my house but instead I chose to drive 10mi every day to my old town. I don't wanna be out of my comfort zone so I feel for you. The hardest part is making it inside. (If you're anything like me the thought of turning around once you're in may make you more anxious, and that could be a good thing). Take a friend and an ipod- music always helps. Just remember everyone is FAR more concerned with how they look than they are about judging anyone else. And from my experience everyone is either friendly or looking the other way like I am

Pspetal · May 2012

I went through the same thing. Last year I paid 4 months fees for a gym about 2 mins walking distance from my house in Boston. I went in and got super intimidated. They had a free trainer session as a promotion and I was terribly out of shape and 15 mins with the slightly sadistic trainer got me so discouraged, I never wanted to go back. I still went the next day but then I saw all these fit and strong and super thin women in makeup and really expensive looking workout clothes and fancy branded water bottles and fancy gym bags. I felt so out of place with my old capris and a plain tshirt and a dasani bottle. I felt like everyone was looking at me... I just never went back to that land of beautiful people. I couldn't get back my 4 months membership fees, so I wasted $79 x 4!!

Then we moved to a different city and bought a groupon for another gym. I went in nervously and was so happy to find that there were men and women of all shapes and sizes and ages and everyone seemed so much more down to earth and normal... Everybody there looked like they wanted to just get fit. I became a member after the groupon offer expired and haven't looked back since. Since I'm not a very social person, I got a trainer appointment and gosh he was just so nice! He told me what to do on all the machines and was very helpful. I go 5 days a week and love it! Maybe you need to find a gym where you can be comfortable. But for that, you need to first walk into one to check it out.. Put on loud music on ur ipod. It'll drown the outside world and you'll think less about everyone else... It works for me.

raayfrancy · May 2012

I felt that way when I started going to the gym several years ago when I started training for my national competitive soccer team on my own.

What helped me - was blocking everyone else out. Focusing only on what I was doing and what I needed to get done. Just focus on yourself - because that's who you're training for - nobody else.

I wish you the best! (: Take care

TourThePast · May 2012

There was definetly some nervous anxiety attached.
I have never been to a gym before and I am not sure what to do.
I have never been the most social person........
Women scare the hell out of me.......
.............and everyone that I could see in there thru the window seemed so super fit....

That must be hard for you, lots of people suffer from social anxiety including a good mate of mine, it's very common.

What has happened is that your body has moved on, but your mind is still stuck in the negative past, when you didn't see yourself as a "gym-person" and that's not helping your anxiety.

Can you arrange to meet a trainer there for an induction or training session? Explain that you're "a bit nervous", they really are used to people feeling that way.

If you have an appointment at a set time, it might be easier to convince yourself to go in.

Good luck.

Gymtimidation

Replies

Categories