Starting the gym, where to even begin?
Discussion
A very boring and probably common story, I’ve always been a bit overweight and “skinny fat” I know the answer is to join a gym but I just have massive anxiety about it, not knowing what to do, other people judging etc
My only local gyms are either a expensive but badly equipped country club or a proper full on everyingthing gym
I have really bad anxiety about this, which according to my therapist is due to being suppressed as a child and she tells me in a very millennia way to “claim my space”
I know what I need to do, but how do I ever actually push myself to do it?
What do I wear?
Any advice?
My only local gyms are either a expensive but badly equipped country club or a proper full on everyingthing gym
I have really bad anxiety about this, which according to my therapist is due to being suppressed as a child and she tells me in a very millennia way to “claim my space”
I know what I need to do, but how do I ever actually push myself to do it?
What do I wear?
Any advice?
Your therapist’s advice is part of the reason so many people seem so selfish these days.
Anyway, do you actually need to go to the gym to achieve your weight loss / fitness goals?
If you do decide to go to the gym, it’s perfectly normal to have anxiety about doing something new. Would be weird if you didn’t. Speak to them, tell them what you want to achieve and what you’re worried about. An induction and some personal training might be a suitable way to start.
Anyway, do you actually need to go to the gym to achieve your weight loss / fitness goals?
If you do decide to go to the gym, it’s perfectly normal to have anxiety about doing something new. Would be weird if you didn’t. Speak to them, tell them what you want to achieve and what you’re worried about. An induction and some personal training might be a suitable way to start.
I'd join a local outdoor, or indoor, bootcamp type club.
I used to gym, it just got so boring and repetitive, I now do sessions 3 times a week outside, with others it is great fun, each session is varied and with everyone else there doing the same thing in groups you get spurred on working out with them.
I used to gym, it just got so boring and repetitive, I now do sessions 3 times a week outside, with others it is great fun, each session is varied and with everyone else there doing the same thing in groups you get spurred on working out with them.
I get how you feel about starting in the gym. I’d never set foot in a gym until about 18 months ago when I joined a gym. The place was ultra masculine, everyone seemed huge and much younger than me and I was feeling very uncomfortable.
Nonetheless I continued to go and I soon realised nobody was really interested in me. I read up on gym etiquette and that helped, I had an acquaintance that joined me for the first two sessions and after that I was fine. After a few weeks I started to look forward to getting into the gym.
I started by concentrating on my movement and familiarising myself with the exercises and equipment. I didn’t get a personal trainer as none of them spoke English but if I’d been in the U.K. I think I would have got one for a few weeks, so it’s worth considering if funds allow.
I’m quite good at pushing myself so results started coming after a slow start. I’m pleased with where I’m at right now. I improved my diet a lot, something that can be difficult to do due to old bad habits. I also included a bit of cardio work as I think that’s important.
So go for it, you’ll be fine but take it slow to begin with and don’t worry about anyone else. Let us know how you get on.
Nonetheless I continued to go and I soon realised nobody was really interested in me. I read up on gym etiquette and that helped, I had an acquaintance that joined me for the first two sessions and after that I was fine. After a few weeks I started to look forward to getting into the gym.
I started by concentrating on my movement and familiarising myself with the exercises and equipment. I didn’t get a personal trainer as none of them spoke English but if I’d been in the U.K. I think I would have got one for a few weeks, so it’s worth considering if funds allow.
I’m quite good at pushing myself so results started coming after a slow start. I’m pleased with where I’m at right now. I improved my diet a lot, something that can be difficult to do due to old bad habits. I also included a bit of cardio work as I think that’s important.
So go for it, you’ll be fine but take it slow to begin with and don’t worry about anyone else. Let us know how you get on.
Gyms are a little bit artificial for my personal tastes. You re paying to mimic an effect you can achieve, without being penned into a room full of strangers. Get a backpack, and some weights from EBay or similar, put the weights in the backpack, then tab a local route, find some inclines / terrain, and go for it. Increase the length of route, and speed up gradually, and the results should come. Find something at home that weighs a bit, and move it about. Put it higher, move it lower, carry it around, another box ticked. Watch the movie Rocky ( the first one) and do what Sylvester Stallone s character does, you don t have to do the boxing stuff if you don t want to, you ll still get results. Or just pay a gym membership fee ( or pay as you go) and have to suffer endless Dimfluencers / gym bros trying to show their followers how great they are ( or not ) and probably end up doing your crunch pretty soon. It s up to you ultimately.
Quattr04. said:
A very boring and probably common story, I ve always been a bit overweight and skinny fat I know the answer is to join a gym but I just have massive anxiety about it, not knowing what to do, other people judging etc
My only local gyms are either a expensive but badly equipped country club or a proper full on everyingthing gym
I have really bad anxiety about this, which according to my therapist is due to being suppressed as a child and she tells me in a very millennia way to claim my space
I know what I need to do, but how do I ever actually push myself to do it?
What do I wear?
Any advice?
Where in the UK are you? Are there any sports or activities you might enjoy more than the gym? Do you have any space at home in which you can work out? My only local gyms are either a expensive but badly equipped country club or a proper full on everyingthing gym
I have really bad anxiety about this, which according to my therapist is due to being suppressed as a child and she tells me in a very millennia way to claim my space
I know what I need to do, but how do I ever actually push myself to do it?
What do I wear?
Any advice?
I rarely visit public gyms, but when I do I find a) most people keep themselves to themselves, and b) despite appearances in some cases, most people are decent and approachable, and happy to offer advice when needed. Remember, everyone in there started somewhere.
I'm going against the grain here,if you've always been overweight sort your diet out first, that's where you'll lose the majority of your fat.
As for exercise,decide what your priorities are.Do you want to be more muscular or just ftter or both ? That will determine whether you prioritise weight training or aerobic exercises like running or cycling etc.
As for exercise,decide what your priorities are.Do you want to be more muscular or just ftter or both ? That will determine whether you prioritise weight training or aerobic exercises like running or cycling etc.
Make appointments for a guided tour of gyms you are interested in; be honest about your abilities (or not), anxieties (they’ve seen it all and more) and goals (have these already in mind before you go). You will likely be offered (or even insisted upon) one or two sessions with an instructor who will guide you towards equipment/exercises to meet your goals.
As mentioned above; boot camps/groups are another option, but I’m reading between the lines and getting the feeling that group activities with a social element may not suit you at least at this point (sorry if I’ve read that wrong). Boot camps also don’t tend towards repetitive exercises you can learn; correct “form” (or accurate body movements) are often as important as the exercises themselves - you’ll learn about this from a good instructor.
Don’t discount engaging a private coach/mentor. Motivation will be far higher; especially if you gel well with them.
As mentioned above; boot camps/groups are another option, but I’m reading between the lines and getting the feeling that group activities with a social element may not suit you at least at this point (sorry if I’ve read that wrong). Boot camps also don’t tend towards repetitive exercises you can learn; correct “form” (or accurate body movements) are often as important as the exercises themselves - you’ll learn about this from a good instructor.
Don’t discount engaging a private coach/mentor. Motivation will be far higher; especially if you gel well with them.
Quattr04. said:
A very boring and probably common story, I ve always been a bit overweight and skinny fat I know the answer is to join a gym but I just have massive anxiety about it, not knowing what to do, other people judging etc
My only local gyms are either a expensive but badly equipped country club or a proper full on everyingthing gym
I have really bad anxiety about this, which according to my therapist is due to being suppressed as a child and she tells me in a very millennia way to claim my space
I know what I need to do, but how do I ever actually push myself to do it?
What do I wear?
Any advice?
I recommend a good dose of the fMy only local gyms are either a expensive but badly equipped country club or a proper full on everyingthing gym
I have really bad anxiety about this, which according to my therapist is due to being suppressed as a child and she tells me in a very millennia way to claim my space
I know what I need to do, but how do I ever actually push myself to do it?
What do I wear?
Any advice?
kits. Be a little nervous if you are, but then say fk it and do it anyway. On the "other people judging" thing - everyone is doing their own thing and doesn't notice anyone else. The very closest you might come to that is if someone who's not obviously a regular gym-goer walks in (maybe very overweight, etc.) Some people might think "good for them" to themselves and then get on with whatever they were doing.
Not knowing how to use the equipment/what workout to do - most gyms won't let you start without at least one session with one of the staff showing you the machines and how to use them safely, so don't worry about that. Most also throw in a couple of free personal trainer sessions where you can talk to someone, tell them what you're looking to achieve and then work out a plan to help you. Or at least you can pay for a couple of they're not free.
Gyms don't pay a lot so the people working there are there because they want to be, they like their environment and looking after their health, and they want to help people out with their own. It's basically a hobby for them. Think about one of your hobbies and how thrilled you'd be if someone showed up interested in it and wanting you to tell them all about it.
Bluevanman said:
I'm going against the grain here,if you've always been overweight sort your diet out first, that's where you'll lose the majority of your fat.
As for exercise,decide what your priorities are.Do you want to be more muscular or just ftter or both ? That will determine whether you prioritise weight training or aerobic exercises like running or cycling etc.
You’re spot on. The best gains re weight loss come from the kitchen. Sort your diet out, and you’re winning already, the exercise picks the ball up and runs with it.As for exercise,decide what your priorities are.Do you want to be more muscular or just ftter or both ? That will determine whether you prioritise weight training or aerobic exercises like running or cycling etc.
How old are you? I gave up my gum membership after covid and lost around 49kg before my 50th birthday wising free weights at home and walking and running outside.
Unless you're planning to move some really heavy weights which I don't recommend after a certain age because it could cause injury, you probably don't need all the equipment.
Unless you're planning to move some really heavy weights which I don't recommend after a certain age because it could cause injury, you probably don't need all the equipment.
Re. what others think. This is something that really hung over me when I started. And to think I come from cycling and will quite happily strut about the place in Lycra, silly shoes and a polystyrene hat!
I _very_ quickly learned that, in the nicest possible way, no-one is bothered at all. Everyone is there doing their own thing. Put another way, mid-rep with a weight over your head, you’ve not the capacity to notice anyone else. And between sets, you’re too knackered to think!
BUT (and this is a “good” but) that’s not to say no-body cares. In my experience, nearly all folk are friendly and happy to talk. They were the new guy too, once.
I _very_ quickly learned that, in the nicest possible way, no-one is bothered at all. Everyone is there doing their own thing. Put another way, mid-rep with a weight over your head, you’ve not the capacity to notice anyone else. And between sets, you’re too knackered to think!
BUT (and this is a “good” but) that’s not to say no-body cares. In my experience, nearly all folk are friendly and happy to talk. They were the new guy too, once.
Gym communities in my experience are positive places. Gyms are not full of body beautiful judgemental people, they are full of people who are trying to improve themselves in some way and are on their own journey...and are probably all anxious to some degree or another. Trying anything new is a challenge and for me the mental challenge and benefits of overcoming them are as important as the physical ones. The gym hugely helps with my mental health; I train at 5am, somethong perhaps you could consider if you are concerned about crowds etc..., believe me it sets you up for the day, research 5am club, early starts are very beneficial for mental health...
Quattr04. said:
Any advice?
Loose fitting joggers, t shirt and flat soled trainers. (Anything soft or with a bubble in the sole will be unstable and best left for cardio)Put plates and dumbbells back.
Don’t litter.
Good hygiene.
99.99% will be happy to help you.
A PT will show you how to use the equipment safely..And if you want, help you achieve your goals through nutrition and training programs that suit you.
If you just wanna go in and have a go, keep everything light, especially free weights (dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells etc..youtube or watch other people and copy them.
Have fun.
Good luck, fella.
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