To find gyms really intimidating?

[PinkLadybirds]

I’ve lost weight recently just through diet and being generally active, but I’m completely out of shape still and I’d love to join a gym and get fitter. But I find they give me so much anxiety.

I feel so self conscious and unfit - I’ve had brief attempts to join a gym in the past, but stopped going for this reason. Especially as I’d want to use weights to tone up, not just cardio, and the weight areas are always full of huge muscly men. And I’d probably use the equipment wrong/embarrass myself in some way.

I’m annoyed at myself for not being able to just get on with it and focus on my own workout - and I’m sure the majority of gym goers are doing exactly that - has anyone else had this gym anxiety or am I being completely pathetic?!

I've also had my share of gym anxiety but weirdly enough I find the male dominated bodybuilding gyms the most welcoming and the 'lifestyle' gyms - the Virgin actives/Bannatynes etc - the most cliquey and intimidating. The more serious the gym goers the more enthusiastic they are about newbies joining their hobby in my experience.

It took me months to dare using the weights but now I love them, and if you can get a couple of PT sessions for the weights room go for it. Just be persistent if you get a dickhead PT who tries to steer you to the yoga mats and pink 2lb dumbbells.

Unless you're very sedentary or have specific health issues or can't train in a room with men for other reasons, I'd avoid women only gyms or gyms with women only weights sections. They're a con. Rubbish equipment that wont get you results and can perpetuate the idea that you don't belong in the regular weights room.

When I started (and after the gym PT refused to get me started on free weights) I made a point of clocking where the dumbbell rack was in that weights room. Every time I went to the gym I made myself go to the weights room, pick up some dumbbells and do a few sets of standing shoulder press. Its a simple exercise so I didn't feel too stupid doing it, and only needs standing space on the floor for when I was too nervous to commander some of the bigger equipment in the (very busy) gym. When doing this I could watch what else was going on, how people were using equipment etc and made a mental note of what to try next time etc. From there I started nabbing a bench when I saw one was free, and moved on to other exercises as I no longer felt an imposter!

I joined my gym and had a few PT sessions who gave me a routine to follow. However, what I mainly did was classes. I can follow direction better than I can work on my own initiative. Pilates is a very gentle way to build strength as your body will only allow you to do what you're capable of. I started off in leggings and a t-shirt. As time wore on and I got fitter, I bought proper gym gear, so that things don't drape for example when you're doing downward dog or something lol. Good luck. I'm 6 months in and still feel a little intimidated by the fitness of others, but I just focus on the trainer and myself and the exercise engages your brain enough that you don't notice anyone else, only your own personal efforts/pain lol.

I would like to point out that the muscly men are usually happy to help you if you ask them. They love it, bless them.

I know what you mean, but a couple of months on, it doesn't bother me at all. I amuse myself by silently giggling at the pose-y types

Council gym who offer inclusive programmes and reviews. Usually offer “prescription exercise” so plenty of older, out of shape or even very disabled people. I’m in the disabled and was slightly overweight and out of shape, not now except the disabled bit. Although invisible disability so you may see me and think I’m a dedicated gym bunny but you’d be wrong. The only time I’ve ever had a comment was a very young and super slim woman. I just put my earphone back in and ignored. Yes I use equipment differently because it’s more about physio and keeping mobile than being a body beautiful, looking better is just a nice side effect. However, you can do a lot at home first to build up first. I bought a pair of 4kg dumbbells for the school hols and have taken up running which has helped much more than the gym to build fitness. Once in the gym make sure you have a programme and regular reviews.

Ark, I've noticed men work out differently to women. Men do 90 miles per hour on the thread mill followed by lifting weights in front of a mirror, whereas women take it easier in classes where there is more of a full body workout directed by someone (trainer).

Agree the giant men can be really helpful. I was back in the gym after spinal surgery and on a strict limit of what I could lift
Some idiot had left 200kg on the leg press, and I couldn't/wasn't allowed to lift it
Giant man (James!) lifted all the weights off for me and then took to watching out for me in the gym, loading bars up, spotting me and gently shoving other people out the way that might have banged into my back