Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Gym regulars, do you take the piss out of the newbies?

104 replies

HarryB · 27/05/2009 11:51

Ok, so enough is enough, I'm finally going to bite the bullet and get my size 16 butt to the gym or I won't fit back in my work clothes . Am a bit scared, however, of looking like a plonker in front of the regulars. Do you fit young things laugh at the newbies and judge their big bums or take no notice?

OP posts:
WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 11:53

not at all, but i do dislike THEIR nerves and " clad in black" policy.
there is one woman who has lost loads and I want to say" god you look great" but I darent.

OhBling · 27/05/2009 11:55

most will take no notice. The only people I notice at the gym are the ones on the machines next to me who think loud grunting famous-tennis-star style is necessary!

Well done for making the effort. I'm trying to be more regular myself but still land up only going once a week or so.

WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 11:56

yes what Iwas trying to say is that they are so self concious and they needent be. Just pretend you haev been going for ages

Original poster
HarryB · 27/05/2009 11:59

Whitefish, many thanks. runs and hides all black gym outfit I wont be wearing all black but it's good to know that I wont be laughed at. I know what I want to do machine wise so can get in and get on with it. I actually used to go to the gym many years ago but my confidence is at a bit of a low ebb since having the baby and not sure I could handle sniggers so thought I'd check.

OP posts:
Original poster
HarryB · 27/05/2009 12:01

Whitefish, re pretending I've been going for ages, I'm afraid my mummy tummy might give the game away. Actually, they may think, blimey, look at that pregnant lady still working out. Good on her

OP posts:
Ceebee74 · 27/05/2009 12:03

Absolutely not - but as Whitefish says, I don't like them looking all nervous and petrified - the gym is not going to eat them alive fgs

It sounds like you know what you are doing so just walk in with your head held high and do it!! I don't mean to sound horrible, but no-one will notice you as they will all be busy doing their own thing

What I do hate is the women who come in with full make-up on, hair done, VERY skimpy clothing etc and just prance round for half an hour doing very little and then disappear - pointless!!

WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 12:04

yes i agree with ceebee

get in there, I always smile at newbies (if htey obv are)

Original poster
HarryB · 27/05/2009 12:08

I feel so much better now. Thanks all. Am really looking forward to it as well as it will be a nice "rest" from the baby IYSWIM.

OP posts:
MrsMcCluskey · 27/05/2009 12:10

I dont, my gym is very friendly and we are all shapes ans sizes.
I joined about 6 months ago and everyone was lovley.
But I do wear all black all teh time. Easier to coordinate

WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 12:11

Yes do go and dont set your sights too high - twice a week is fine to start.

Ceebee74 · 27/05/2009 12:11

It definitely gives you a break - I think I remember your name from another thread and I think our babies are a similar age (DS2 is 6 months). I went back to the gym when DS2 was 6 weeks old as I missed it so much - I had been going until I was 7 months pg but then I was far too big!! I would go crazy if I couldn't go tbh.

tibni · 27/05/2009 12:15

Gyms are full of many shapes, sizes and ages. I joined the gym 3 years ago just to get some time for me. Being a mum of 2, with the youngest having severe ASD I had lost sight of my identity as anything but mum / SN mum.

Do I look / judge? Actually the people I think are funniest are those with perfect make up that never do anything to break out into a sweat. I just don't get that!

Hope you really enjoy the gym. I always take an MP3 player as it is the only chance I get to have my music on and it is amazing how quickly time passes with good music.

WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 12:16

I must admit I do sometimes think " god your body shape is odd"
i do. like really pear shaped peopel with tiny shoulders... sorry, but it is frigging boring.

flashharriet · 27/05/2009 12:17

Gym regulars, how often do you go and for how long? And what do you do each time?

WhiteFish · 27/05/2009 12:18

i deicded long ago that the rules are

  1. an hour tops.
  2. only go when i am not working that day
  3. do three aerobic machines for 15 mins each
  4. then some other stuff
  5. an ipod is a must
Original poster
HarryB · 27/05/2009 12:19

ceebee, my baby is 5 months. I totally pigged out during pregnancy as everyone kept saying I was "all baby", I didn't worry about my ever expanding tum. I am now left with a big belly and waist and back fat, which is v. non-sexy. I go back to work in 6 months and all my clothes are a size 12.

OP posts:
flashharriet · 27/05/2009 12:21

Is three times a week enough?

Original poster
HarryB · 27/05/2009 12:22

In fact, gym regulars, what would you suggest as a good workout. I did plan to do 20 mins bike, 20 mins treadmill and 10 mins rowing machine? Does that sound ok? I'm a bit scared of sit up as a) they are dull, and b) I had an Em CS with DS. I am hoping the rowing machine might get my tum back in shape?

OP posts:
cornsilk · 27/05/2009 12:26

Itry to go 3 times a week. Usually about an hour but I can get carried away by the weights if I'm in the mood. I do 25 mins on cross trainer, 10 mins bike, 10 mins rower, them handweights for about 20-30 mins.(on a good day.) Rower does nothing for my tum.

Ohforfoxsake · 27/05/2009 12:29

If its a decent gym you will get a personal training session thrown in. They will be able to advise you on a programme. Personally I like interval training, for example, 3 minutes treadmill, 10 press ups, 10 squats, 3 minutes treadmill, etc etc. I get bored otherwise and lose the will to live.

Music makes a huge difference to training, so make sure you have your earphones and some good music.

If you really don't feel like going, tell yourself you will go for 10 minutes. I guarentee that more often than not you will stay for the duration.

If there is a creche there, try to go once a week for a sauna, jacuzzi and coffee as a reward.

I liked going very early in the day, before DP went to work. Meant he could look after the kids and I had done something before the drudgery starts. The days I got a sauna in were such a luxery.

Hope that helps. I promise you no one will judge.

expatinscotland · 27/05/2009 12:29

No. Why would anyone? People are in the gym trying to improve their fitness, what's not to like?

Ceebee74 · 27/05/2009 12:29

HarryB That sounds good. You are better doing longer at a lower level on a machine than going hell for leather for 5-10 minutes - you will burn more fat that way. As for sit-ups, I had an elective cs with DS2 (after an em cs with DS1) and started doing sit-ups at about 8 weeks. I started off very gently and just did a few but have been building it up and am now pretty much back to how I was before - and I can even do the plank for a little while now!

I would also recommend doing some weights (as heavy as you can but try to lift them at least 8 times in a row) aswell as this will help you get your shape back and increase your metabolism.

An iPod is definitely a must!!

I actually go to classes rather than use the gym now - either aerobics, step, combat or Bodypump - I generally go 4 times a week and do a combination of those. No idea what I am going to do when I go back to work though as not sure I will have the energy to go after a full day at work and then putting the kids to bed!

cornsilk · 27/05/2009 12:32

Very dim question now. I have an ipod but how do I clip it on me when I'm at the gym? Do I need to buy a special belt or something?

OrmIrian · 27/05/2009 12:34

Only subliminally. I find brand new gym clothes and shiny trainers funny in a way that I can't quite explain. And they are so keen. And they keep checking their little training plan cards

Oh I am not nice which is why I go running now. And I know that anyone I see is bound to be better than me. It's good for my soul.

OrmIrian · 27/05/2009 12:35

BTW when it comes to body size and shape, I don't take the p*, as ime most people at the gym are more or less chubby - incl me!