Too scared to go to gym

[lucie333]

I've got an online coach to help me get out this rut I'm in! It's summer again and I'm still wearing hoodies my wake up call was last week when my 3 year old shouted across the nursery car park " mummy why do you have jumper on you look silly" because I do look silly I need to get a grip but I can't find the courage to go into the gym I just sit outside it for an hour and don't go in.

What helped you?

Is this normal to feel petrified?

Go to a class first! Pick one you like the look of, go early, talk to the instructor.
If you can book several over 2 weeks then you'll be getting into the swing by the end of that stint.

I like body toning ones. First classes are tough, but it gets easier very quickly.

It's like swimming - just jump in!

Good luck x

Finding the right gym is also important. I've been using our local leisure centre for the last 2 years and most people in there are older, not giving a shit how they look, just like me! There are no intimidating big bulky blokes hogging the weights or perfectly styled women hardly breaking a sweat. I've been to those types of gyms before and never stuck to it as felt like the 'odd' one out.

Definitely find the right gym.

I hated the big gyms and felt anxious the whole time. Now found a small local gym with small group classes and I LOVE it!

Book an induction at a gym so you know your way around and next time you go, it won't feel so scary as you'll know your way around.

I know I'm personally not one for classes and just want to go in, stick a podcast on my airpods with noise cancelling and crack on. Even though my gym is one of the 24hr ones that always get a bad rep for the blokey weight areas, I've not felt intimidated once. The worst part is going for the first time - once you've done that, the hard part's over.

I agree with all of the above. I used to go to my local Council gym - I was probably the unfittest person there despite being about 20 years younger than the average demographic, the OAPs in my area are hardcore. No-one takes the slightest bit of notice of you except to say hello if they recognise you. An induction so you understand a bit about the machines is helpful, and it means you know the really basic stuff like: where do you put your things? Do you wipe down the machines afterwards? Where's the water fountain?

I've now moved to a PureGym and I'm at least 20 years older than the average demographic. I can honestly say I've never felt intimidated or even that anyone was noticing me as they swan around looking toned and fabulous (and seriously strong as well, one young woman does the killer stair machine whilst carrying like 20 kilos or something). I occasionally see an older person in there as well, but seriously, no-one gives a shit.

I don't do classes as I assume I will be too rubbish, I dearly wish a gym would do 'ludicrously easy yoga for fat people' or similar, but I will probably tackle this when DS goes off to uni and I'm going to the gym on my own. I just go on the treadmill - nice and simple, very little to go wrong. One of the staff will show you how to work it. Put your headphones on and away you go.

If I can ever get past my biggest hurdle which is laziness and 'cantbebothered-itis' then my tactics are:

• wear something I am comfortable in, not trendy or good looking but doesn't roll up or down, or flash my bits and keeps everything where it should be.
• headphones and music I really like that makes me feel happy.
• don't look at anyone, just get to my machine and crack on
• start with what you are comfortable doing, for me that meant the first month I basically just used the treadmill and exercise bike because I knew how they worked and that I was unlikely to fall off and make a show of myself,

The more you go, the more comfortable you'll get with the whole thing.

I actually think classes are more intimidating than going in the gym on your own. If you don't like or find it too hard you're stuck there until it ends and they can be quite cliquey if people go regularly - someone once moved my mat while I getting stuff out of the cupboard because seemingly I was in her friend's space!
Book yourself an induction session at the gym and one that will develop a programme for you and show you how to use the equipment. Even just go and walk for 20minutes on the treadmill to break the mental barrier of getting in there.

update

Thank you for all your lovely helpful advice- I went to the gym at 4:30 this morning and my gym card wouldn't work 🤣 just my luck will try again when my new one comes

Ah no what a shame - but well done you for giving it a go. If it's like my gym, you can use an RFID card once you're inside, but you need to use the PIN to open the main door first, if you visit outside the hours when the gym is manned. Have you got a PIN? Or did you get inside and then get denied at the second door?

To be blunt - no one there cares about you. We're far too busy avoiding eye contact with anyone and timing rest periods to be bothered about you.

I would love gym friends like you see on social media platforms but tbh gym time is alone time for me so I'm not talking to anyone. Equally, if I've ever needed help, everyone has been lovely. Everyone there is there for the same reason.

A yoga teacher once said: "Standing on the mat is the main achievement."

That is, just getting into the room, or studio, or gym.

Try and find quieter times to go. 9-11 is usually the retired older crowd. Take a look at pictures of the gym online so you can plan what you want to do. Also in the kindest way possible, nobody is paying any attention to you, unless you're doing something especially outlandish.

In my experience children are brutally honest. That doesn’t mean you do look silly, just that your 3 yr thinks that.

As suggested try a class and speak to the instructor. For me it was Pilates, every other option was boring for me. Then we moved and found an old fashioned gym, and a personal trainer. Everyone there, from the 20 yr olds to a 90 yr old are more interested in their gym goals rather than what others wear or look like.

Good luck.