I regularly attend a local exercise class. It's a franchise and I've been a member for a number of years, although in the past I went through periods of erractic attendance. However, I've got really keen over the last year and typically attend 3-4 times a week. The classes are really popular and there are usually at least 30 people there aged between 18 & 60ish. Generally the same crowd attend all the classes I go to. Lots of them seem to know each other well and are stood in groups before the class starts chatting and laughing. I often look around and realise I'm the only one not talking to someone so do the fatal thing of pretending to be engrossed in my phone. I get that many people come along with friends and others seem to be friends of the instructors. I don't have a huge circle of friends and certainly not anyone who would be interested in attending these classes with me. I do sometimes bump into one of a handful of local acquaintances there, such as mums I know vaguely from when my DC were at primary, and we will exchange a few words. But they are always with friends too and will go off and join them.
Don't get me wrong, I don't think there's any of the cliqueness or bitchieness I've heard can occur at such classes. Everyone I've spoken to there, including the instructors and ladies who do the desk, are always very pleasant and friendly and most will smile and say hello if I see them around locally. If I get the opportunity I will smile or make a comment to someone but it doesn't come easy as I'm quite shy until I get to know people so it never gets any further than that.
They do sometimes organise nights out and a Xmas do but I don't feel able to go as I don't know anyone well enough. I do enjoy the classes but wish I could benefit from the social side like so many of the other members seem to.
Any advice?