Nervous about Going to Gym

myofasciality

Has anyone here ever been irrationally nervous about attending the gym?
I think what's frustrating me is three things:

1) The fact I'm unfamiliar with the exercises, machines etc. - it's all new and I wouldn't know where to start or what to do. If you put me in a gym right now, I wouldn't know where to go and what to do.

2) I'm clearly visibly not "fit"; I'd be surrounded by people who are very fit and I'd look a bit lazy or unimpressive in my performance.

I've seen a personal trainer in Dublin and he taught me a lot of exercises etc. but I'm still nervous about entering a gym.

Can anyone give me any advice? I'd really like to overcome this and attend a gym regularly without these fears.

siblers

Don't worry about not being fit. The point of going to the gym is to get fit and in better condition, no one is going to look down on you for wanting to better yourself. In all my years going to a gym, I've not once encountered an overweight person having someone laugh or mock at them etc. I've seen on numerous occasions where people have congratulated them for working their bollocks off.

As for not knowing the exercises etc. If you get a membership, you'll get an induction where they will show the various equipment works but it might be worth looking into getting a few PT sessions, some gyms will have a package with membership and PT thrown in together. There's a brilliant app you can get called "Jefit" it has a load of various exercises and explains how to do them.

Never be afraid to ask for assitance if you are unsure, most gym staff will be happy to help out and most regular goers are happy to help out too.

velo.2010

People will be too busy looking at their phones to even notice you!

phildin

Please don't be put off. Firstly, any gym will give you a tour before you start and they'll be more than happy to show you the machines in detail as well any time you ask. Remember that a gym has a lot of different pieces of equipment and you're not expected to use or know it all.

Secondly, you'll be surrounded by people who like to go to the gym and they will be of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels. You'll see people slowly ambling on the treadmills beside people sprinting for 5 minutes and people grinding through 1 hour sets.

You won't really notice too much of this after a while because you'll find your own rhythm and that should tell you something; the other people there will just be doing their thing and not paying too much attention either. As a thought experiment, put yourself in the position of you in 6 months time when you've become a regular gym rat. Someone you haven't seen before comes in and starts using the machines. What's your reaction? If you notice them at all, you probably just think "good for them" and keep going.

Here's a few notes from my own experience:

I wanted to start running so I started on the treadmill doing run/walk cycles. The first time I went I would run for 1 minute and walk for 2 minutes. I spent 20 minutes in total on the treadmill and then went to the pool to relax. I was really chuffed with what I had achieved.

Within a few weeks, I was doing a solid hour on the treadmill; still at run/walk intervals but increasing the run/walk ratio. When you're in the flow of things, you'll "sort of" notice people but you won't really be thinking about them all that deeply. You'll be listening to your music or watching a screen or just concentrating on what you're doing.

After a few weeks, I asked a staff member about stretches and some of the other leg exercise machines. They were very helpful. I never asked about the weights since I never had an interest in doing them.

The gym I went to was run by the Dublin City Council. They have a very nice one in Rathmines and a few others around the city. Other councils might do the same so it's worth checking. They charge per session or you can buy a subscription which is more cost effective if you're going more than once a week. There's no sales pressure from the staff, they're just there to help. I haven't tried Ben Dunne gyms but I'd try them if I didn't have access to a city council gym because they don't appear to use heavy sales techniques as their business model. I avoid gyms that require a monthly direct debit. These days, I just run in the park and don't bother with the gym at all but that's a different story:)

Finally, try as much as possible to make it something that you like. Personally, I don't know how people can get up 2 hours earlier (or stay late) during the week to go to the gym. If that suits you, of course do it but in my case, I'd go on a Saturday or Sunday morning with no time pressure.

I hope this helps
Phil

One more post script: Occasionally, I have noticed someone who clearly was just starting to exercise struggling on the treadmill. I have considered offering them advice along the lines of "build it up slowly and don't get discouraged". I never did because the last thing I want to do is discourage someone and I figured my advice would be more likely to embarrass someone than encourage them. I hope this advice will have a positive effect on you.

browner85

Maybe try go off peak hours for your first couple of sessions ... you might feel more comfortable after a couple of visits

Alf Veedersane

I've been that person, to some degree. I'd be lifting pathetic amounts and everyone would make me physically look out of place. I would look like I hadn't a notion and didnt belong there.

But (a) no one cared what I was doing once I wasn't being a dick and (b) most people just respect that you're looking to improve something.

It's completely understandable to be nervous but you don't need to be.

A lot of people that go to the gym are the exact same as you but just have been there long enough to see that their 'fears were unfounded.

Jayesdiem

I've been going to the gym for 25 years and I can tell you to this day, every time I set foot in a new one, I feel just a little unsure of myself. Where are the dumbells kept? Did I just take that guy's machine? What is the "etiquette" here? I think the apprehension you feel is more down to being human than anything else. When you go into that gym, not a single person will notice you. On top of that, I have never, ever judged someone by the amount of weight they are lifting because:

A) I have no right to
Using lighter weights has specific purposes, both technique and goal based
C) Everything is relative - one person's warm up weight is another's 1RM. Just go to a powerlifting meet to see this in full flow.

Tar.Aldarion

Do you know anybody that goes to the gym, you could get them to bring you in some time to show you about and make you feel more at ease.

Deeper Blue

myofasciality wrote: »

Has anyone here ever been irrationally nervous about attending the gym?
I think what's frustrating me is three things:

1) The fact I'm unfamiliar with the exercises, machines etc. - it's all new and I wouldn't know where to start or what to do. If you put me in a gym right now, I wouldn't know where to go and what to do.

I think everyone experiences similar nerves when starting out, I know I did. It's normal.

I think the best thing to do would be to ask one of the gym instructors to show you how to use the various machines. They should usually do this anyway if you're a new member, but if not they'd be happy to help if asked. I see new members getting shown the ropes all the time at my gym so it's not unusual at all.

The last thing you want to do is injure yourself if you're using a machine incorrectly.

myofasciality wrote: »

2) I'm clearly visibly not "fit"; I'd be surrounded by people who are very fit and I'd look a bit lazy or unimpressive in my performance.

Nobody will be watching you, and if they happen to glance over they won't care if you're fit/ what your wearing/ what you're doing etc. Everyone is there to do their own thing and then go home. I know it's easy to say but this is genuinely the last thing you should be worrying about.

The most important thing is that you enjoy yourself and feel comfortable. Don't rush, start off slowly and ease yourself into a routine. Don't feel like you need to be at a certain level to 'fit in' or anything like that. Trust me there'll be loads of other people at your level of fitness, and again if there's not nobody will bat an eyelid.

tringle

I've felt like that going to the gym and still do at times the rare time I go.
Firstly as all the others have said you will get an induction, or ask for one. This is particularly useful to tell you what weight/level/reps you need.
I've been intimidated by big gym guys grunting and roaring and acting like poseurs so I just found times they don't go and then I'm comfortable. 11am weekdays seems to be old fat lady time in our gym so I fit right in.