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Original poster

Going to exercise class on own

34 replies

Mummysgogetter · 11/11/2022 20:50

Hi all
im usually a home exerciser - brought all my own weights, rowing machine etc and have been doing that for the last 7 years. However, now all of a sudden I’ve become despondent and bored of doing my own thing. I’ve been to a couple of classes at my village but found them very cliquey, all the women knew each other, felt like an outsider.
im considering going to some gym classes in the nearest town. My question is - will I look a saddo Billy no mates going on my own? Does anyone else on here rock up to exercises classes on their own?

OP posts:
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Snugglemonkey · 16/11/2022 22:54

I have never been to an exercise class with a friend. I have made friends through them, but never considered doing anything other than going on my own.

Margo34 · 16/11/2022 22:48

I get so much more out of a class going by myself. I care less about trying to impress/compare myself with a friend when I go by myself so put more effort in!

Theradioisoncoco · 16/11/2022 22:45

Yes early for Body pump!

Always gone on my own for decades, lovely to chat to other exercisers there but you don't have to. Love my gym.

Random789 · 16/11/2022 22:45

I suspect the gym in nearby towm will be very different from village classes. I always go to classes at my gym alone, and as far as I can tell, most other women do too.
I'm aware that quite a few someties meet up afterwards for coffee. But there has never ever been a feeling that those who don't do that are loners/losers/unwelcome. On the contrary there is a LOT of passing smalltalk-style friendship amongst everyone, whether they are on their own or part of a gym gang. Just a little bit of chat before and after , very nice -- just the right level of contact for a reserved person like me

dementedpixie · 16/11/2022 22:40

@Mummysgogetter if you're going to try body pump then get there a wee bit early to set up. You need a step and a bar with a selection of weights as you change them for each track.

dementedpixie · 16/11/2022 22:37

I go on my own all the time
I have made friends through going to classes and that's what I like about them as the social side is just as important as the exercise

OldPhoto · 16/11/2022 22:29

I've never been to an exercise class with a friend. Sometimes I've met or made friends there but it's never occurred to me that I should go with someone.

soulinablackberrypie · 16/11/2022 22:00

I've never not gone on my own!

UglyModernWindows · 15/11/2022 06:51

Abra1t · 12/11/2022 12:15

Friends going together can* be a pain as they reserve the best spots for their late-arriving mates. And god help you if you're a newcomer and you accidentally take Jane's mate Sue's place where she ALWAYS does Pilates or yoga. You'll get death stares while you're in frog pose.

In Bodypump the first friend will take all the decent weights and clips (our gym had good and not so-good kit) for their friends and you will be left with the clips that give out when you lift the bar up for squat track.

  • Not always. Some groups of friends are fine and friendly.

Sounds like my gym Grin

CaptainMyCaptain · 14/11/2022 20:20

I started going to classes at the gym on my own but got chatting to other women and eventually met my husband through one of them. Until covid I went to a pilates class on my own for years but now I do it on zoom.

Dippydonky · 14/11/2022 20:18

I love going alone

Hayliebells · 14/11/2022 20:14

If you’d like to get to know people and be social, CrossFit tries to cultivate that type of friendly team vibe. But I’ve tried it, it’s not my thing, I’d much rather just be introspective when I’m exercising.

Hayliebells · 14/11/2022 20:12

I never go with anyone (most people go alone ime), and tbh, I’d much prefer to go to a class where I don’t know anyone.

mondaytosunday · 12/11/2022 12:41

I would say 90% of the people that go to the classes I go to are on their own. If small and local you might see some people chat on the way back to the locker room/parking lot etc, but so what? Just go - that's the important thing.,

Abra1t · 12/11/2022 12:15

Friends going together can* be a pain as they reserve the best spots for their late-arriving mates. And god help you if you're a newcomer and you accidentally take Jane's mate Sue's place where she ALWAYS does Pilates or yoga. You'll get death stares while you're in frog pose.

In Bodypump the first friend will take all the decent weights and clips (our gym had good and not so-good kit) for their friends and you will be left with the clips that give out when you lift the bar up for squat track.

  • Not always. Some groups of friends are fine and friendly.
Original poster
Mummysgogetter · 12/11/2022 10:28

Thanks everyone. Don’t feel so abnormal now lol 😂 most of my friends go with other friends to classes but they live a distance from
me. Think I’m going to join a body pump class at a leisure centre in the next town - I’m so demotivated from working out in my garage for years that it’s getting harder and harder to get in there.

OP posts:
PostAndGhost · 12/11/2022 08:21

I never go with anyone and hardly talk to anyone.

TabithaTittlemouse · 11/11/2022 23:10

I’ve never been with someone! I don’t think I would want to. It’s my time.

Verbena87 · 11/11/2022 21:25

I’ve never been with anyone else. Have done Pilates, yoga and spin classes on my own as well as attending running club nights on my own and not knowing anyone. It’s nice just being able to go at your own pace, concentrate on yourself and not feel self conscious or tempted to get the inappropriate giggles with someone you know! (I cannot do yoga with my sister even not in a class. We turn into stupid school girls)

StClare101 · 11/11/2022 21:18

I go on my own. There are definitely groups who know each other and chat prior to the class starting. I couldn’t be less interested. Exercise is something I do that is entirely for me, including not having to talk for a while!

EspeciallyD · 11/11/2022 21:15

I've been going on my own my entire adult life (I'm in my 50s). Sometimes there will be a friend there too but I never arrange to go with them as such. If you go regularly and chat at the end or while waiting you gradually get to know people.

minipie · 11/11/2022 21:04

I have been to lots of exercise classes, almost always alone. And most attendees seem to be on their own too.

The ones who know each other at yours - maybe they met through going to the class regularly? Maybe you could join the group in time? If you wanted to of course.

CheeseIsMyPatronus · 11/11/2022 21:01

I have made so many friends this way, which was totally unexpected. I was very nervous going to a class but it was a very positive experience.

Tryfull · 11/11/2022 20:59

I have never ever been to an exercise class with someone else! Go and enjoy it.

Abra1t · 11/11/2022 20:58

I always went alone.