To be so nervous to go to the gym?

[redlipped]

Had my son nearly 2 years ago. Haven't set foot in a gym for about 3 years. I'm very unfit, need to lose a bit of weight, so decided to join a gym and do some classes (which I used to love around 6/7 years ago!). I'm so nervous to go to the classes now, feel like everyone else will be looking at me because I'm so unfit. Really self conscious. Can anyone help me feel slightly less nervous?

The whole point of gyms is that people go there to get fitter. If that wasn't the point, they wouldn't exist. They'll be paying attention to the instructor, not you, and are unlikely to give you a second glance.

No advice op but following as in the same boat. I've had my gym membership for 3 years but yet to go as I've always felt too disgusting for the gym.

I felt the same when I started OP. Soon got into the swing of it. Never thought I would enjoy exercise so much. When new people start I admire them for taking the plunge. To be honest I only pay attention to myself during the class. I suspect most people are the same. Good luck. Just do it!

There will be classes for less fit people. Why not try them?

Can you afford a couple of PT sessions? Just to get you in the swing of things and to bet you feeling a bit more confident?

Nobody cares. Nobody is looking. Nobody is judging. Everyone is busy worrying about themselves.

Just do your thing.

Gyms need new members, they’ll be glad to see you and give you the help you need on your fitness journey.

I joined the gym at 15 stone, lost the weight and am now at 10 stone still going to the gym. You might see me there and think I look fit and know how to use the equipment and that’s true now - but it wasn’t always. If I look your way in a class it’ll be because I can see you’re new and will check your know how to set up your equipment or if you need a helping hand.

Go to the gym. No one ever regrets going to to the gym. You only regret not going sooner.

Now is a great time to join as there are lots of new members. We are all trying to get rid of our 'covid curves'!

Ask the reception desk for a good class for a newbie. Book it. Go with a smile and tell the instructor you are new.

A great instructor will tell you about the class, how it works, make sure you have options to follow (some bits can be low impact or high impact.....you won't be the only one taking a low impact option of you choose to).

I prefer standing near the front so I can't see how well everyone else does. I can focus on me. But many people like to hide at the back.

No one will judge you. Remember you are.doing better than anyone sat at home on the couch.

Good luck.

No one cares about anyone else. No one notices anyone else. Honestly, no one is that interested in other people. As pp said everyone is too busy thinking about themselves to judge others. When I started, I was actually shocked at how unjudgemental everyone seems to be! They're encouraging, friendly and helpful.

Slap a smile on your face and remember to bring lots of water!!

Now is a fantastic time to go. Gyms are crying out for new members as some people have cancelled memberships during covid, classes are smaller and socially distanced (yoga this morning looked to have 4 people in it) and everyone is feeling flabby and unfit after the gym has been shut for so long so there is no judgement at all, not that there ever really was.

My gym I now book my slot online so I know before I go how busy it will be (max of20 but I prefer sessions with 9 or fewer!) and everything is spotlessly clean and feels really safe,.

Op , no one will be looking at you. And well done you , best of luck

Honestly people are too busy focusing on themselves to bother with anyone else so don’t feel people are watching you

I was in your situation and I looked around a few gyms until I found one I felt comfortable in, I’ve really stuck with it as the staff have been so welcoming and helpful, I now class some of them as friends

Do it! You'll come away feeling great (endorphins) and want to go again. The first time is the hardest, you'll get there. And no, no one has time to think about what other people (except that one who stands at the very front of the class staring at herself in the mirror )

I started out at over 18 stone and could hardly walk (bad back). No one really noticed me and if they did, it was to give a friendly smile.

It was really difficult at first, even after getting over the initial self consciousness, as improving your fitness takes hard work, sweat and determination.

It’s the best thing I’ve ever done (on a par with having my DC) and it is just crazy how good my body feels now as opposed to 2 years ago when I was in constant pain.

Just get in there OP. You are worth it. Get some good music pumping through your headphones and just do it.

I wouldn't think twice about it, there are always people like me in there, huffing and puffing all the way through with trousers that keep falling down and not giving a shit :-)

The only people over look at in the gym are the amazing ones I aspire to be like.

FWIW I'm very petite, but not fit at all and am often flagging behind people who larger yet much fitter than I am!

Everyone feels a bit self conscious, just go!

I promise the won’t be the only one in that position. And the ones who aren’t are too busy posing/worrying about their own appearance.

Hello, I'm a bit late to this but just want to say please go to the gym and don't feel like you don't belong. The gym is for everyone.

I am a group ex instructor and my priority, and hopefully that of my fellow instructors, is that you leave my class having challenged yourself and had fun. I started as a participant, and not a good one (!) so I know what it's like from both sides. In classes you're usually offered lower/higher options, and I ask people to stop if they need to. Any movement is an improvement to your physical health. I hope you feel comfortable to go and enjoy your classes.

I do group exercise classes and have chatted with other people doing them and worrying they aren't doing it 'the best', especially in classes with routines. There will be some fitter person in the class too, but that doesn't matter. As long as you got sweaty and made your muscles tired you've done what you were there for. I am there to work my own body, not judge what weight you used or if you did better push ups than me (mine are shocking)

I never notice anyone else in the gym. I just focus on myself. If a crime happened I wouldn’t be able to describe even the person next to me to the police.

Are you near me? I will go with you!!

I am always too busy huffing and puffing to notice anyone else.

When I went to the gym pre dv4 is was by far the fartest person there. I went at the same time ever day ( well every day I went!) And I recognised faces. Even though I didnt talk to them ( 3 very men 18-25 at a guess) I feel quite comfortable just because it got more familiar. If they looked the first time, they would have been very bored after while.

Could you try a fitness app first to build up your confidence a bit? I have the Jillian Michaels My Fitness app and absolutely love it.