Getting up the guts to go to the gym?

FBaby

I think it is a common assumption that regular users of the gym, who appear so confident and knowledgeable of what they are doing are going to judge new clueless comers.

I think that for maybe the exception, that just doesn't happen at all. Most people are much too engross in their own doings to care about what other people are doing. When they do bother to look around, they are likely to think positively of new people coming and most importantly, remember they were there themselves one day.

I've been with my present gym for 5 years now. Every January, you get the new comers with their new resolution to lose weight and get fit. Suddenly the gym gets busy and that can be a bit annoying, but every time I see someone new working hard, especially if they are clearly overweight, my first thought is 'good on them, I hope they stick to it' and I suspect that's what most people think.

Same with zumba classes. I know it can be very intimidating to go in, feel completely lost and hopeless whilst the others are doing all the move without a thought. That's only because most likely they have done it for years! I remember when I first started 2 years ago and I too was useless and got out of breath so easily when everyone else seems so at ease enjoying themselves, but I quickly picked up and realised that actually, everyone was quite relax and laid back. When we get new people and they clearly struggle, I want to tell them that it's ok, not to give up, that we were all there once. The idea that they might not come back because they felt self-conscious makes me feel sad. I do tell them if I make eye contact and they smile back.

Honestly, don't feel self-conscious. Would you judge new comers if you were to become a regular? No? Well most don't either, so go for it and make the best of it.

margaretclare

So, what is there to be scared about? You're not advancing into enemy territory with threats round every corner! You've chosen to go there. You should have been told, when you signed up to this, that you needed induction.

I don't know if it would make you feel better, but here's what I do: I go to aqua-aerobics 3 x week. This is the only form of 'gym' that I can do. People I know have told me that they'd be 'afraid' to go there, afraid of putting on a swimming costume, what would other people say, what would they think of bulges etc. The answer is: no one cares a damn once you're in there and especially once you start jumping around to disco-music in the water. There are all shapes, all sizes, and everyone is too busy doing their own thing to bother about anyone else.

HTH

Kiwisaver_2

I was so inpired by the lovely responses in this thread, that I donned my kit today and headed off down to the beach for another attempt at Week1 of Couch to 5k. I only did a few of the running bits and they were mostly a disaster but never mind I had my dark glasses on and I don't think anyone noticed.

belfastgirl23

Just to add that in my experience, the first time at any new class is pretty tough. You don't have a clue and you can't do it. I'm only saying it because that's absolutely normal and it's as well to be prepared for it. If you stick it out, by the time you get to the third or fourth you start to get the hang of it.

The first few times it happened me I didn't realise this was the case for everyone and felt really c**p

I agree with the others though, most regular gym goers have at some time been that person who doesn't have a clue and they are much more sympathetic than you realise!

HeadAboveWater

How did you get on NervousHomeowner?

DueMarch11

Ah I hope you enjoyed yourself NHO!

I joined the gym back in April, like you I was so nervous about going by myself, so much so that I only ever went when my sister did so that I had someone to talk to lol, then my sister couldn't go when I had the time so I had no choice but to bite the bullet and go alone. Now I go at least twice a week and actually miss it when I can't go, got panicked at the thought of the summer holidays earlier as my gym time would be very limited but have sorted that now so that I can go. Fitness has improved quite a lot as well, I burnt 350 calories this morning, whoop! X

heartbreak_star

Careful just watching the calories - include resistance training as well as cardio!

I'm the same though, I hate missing a workout, and other than at the assault course (where I like having a spotter) I prefer being on my own as I have to get my head down and work!

HBS x

HeadAboveWater

How's the gym going NHO??