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Is The Gym Embarrasing?

So now my exams are finished, I want to get into / get back into, a decent exercise routine. I have an excersise bike, weights, etc that are really good. However, becuase im on the move a lot i need to join a gym.

My problem is embarrasment. It probably sounds stupid, but to me the prospect of working out in a gym is embarrasing. Ive heard people stare at you, etc.

Has anyone else had this problem? is it that bad?
thankyou.

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Reply 1

Anonymous #2

To add to the above, how many people are generally present and at what time of day is it least populated? How mixed is it male/female wise?

Reply 2

TomX

Of course the gym isn't embarresing, everyone is there for similar reasons. Most people don't care about what others are doing, when I'm in the gym I just have my music on and become oblivious to my surroundings, I assume most other people are similar.

Just do it.

Reply 3

Ting-Ting

i understand how you feel...i hate it for people to stare while im sweating a huffing and puffing away! thats why i do aerobics in my room rather than in the livign room!
Are you relatively unfit? coz i went to this weight management brainstorm session at work and we found that people who should work out at the gym don't actually go becuase they are embarrassed and feel self concious being surrounded by all the fit people who have been working out there constantly.

Reply 4

Chi3f

its only embarassing if you suck at it

Reply 5

stratomaster

Yeah people stare at you but only if you're really unfit and it shows, youre really fit (looking), you've got bouncy boobies or you look like your about to pass out.

Reply 6

alexxxb

I dont think its embarrasing at all, its normally the busiest in the evening when everyone finishes work, so if you want lots of free machines and weights then i sugest going early morning or lunchtime-ish. Try some classes too, they are really fun and its a good way to make new mates too.
Nobody really stares at anyone else, or if they do i dont notice, i know i only stare if someone is doing some really wierd action on a rowing machine or something cos it looks funny, but yeh..thats just me lol.

Reply 7

white_haired_wizard

I personally find the concept of a communal gym a strange thing to understand and embrace. I avoid it at all costs, not only are there distractions to one's exercising, it feels all too contrived, thus i can't enjoy exercising half as much. If you want freedom of exercising, roam the streets or countryside near you, without being 'trapped' in a public domain and without what you'd perhaps consider as a paranoia inducing public scrutiny...

You could have your own individual gym lifestyle, buy a few weights for example, jog in the outdoors (which is cost-free) et cetera....people like different things and excel in different conditions, so you're probably not alone in your feelings regarding communal 'working out'...

Reply 8

stratomaster

Personally i'd rather run on the streets or lift the weghts in the garage. The gym room gives me a headache.

Reply 9

cinder

I love the gym...its so much fun.
I go to a communal gym and I like it, I don't mind the men at all, they keep away from my equipment and don't hog the treadmills like women, I hate waiting around for women to finish.
Its daunting at first, but like its been said, listening to music, in a little world of your own you become totally oblivious.
Nobody stares, thats just ridiculous, people are too busy doing their own thing, nobody cares, you're all working out...whats to stare at. I dunno, maybe I live in a place with less pervs and freaks.

I miss the gym, I wish exams would finish!

Reply 10

Dave.B

i gym 4 times a week, ive only been doing it for a month, but i have no problems at all with it!.
give it a try!

Reply 11

Anonymous #2

And also, how old are the people around?

Reply 12

FireDeuce

The gym I go to is classed as busy if theres 3 other people in there. It's often just me and someone else, then they leave, so its me and a few dvds for company.
I find they just want to get on with their own thing, which is what you want to do too.

Reply 13

*titanium*

nukecow

i gym 4 times a week, ive only been doing it for a month, but i have no problems at all with it!.
give it a try!

gym is not a verb :p:

Reply 14

FranzFan

I go to the gym late at night often because its usually empty. I don't do this because i'm subconcious but cos i wanna use a rowing machine without a queue. If your really worried you can go at that time. But if your subconcious you often imagine people are looking at you when they're really not or immediately think that any looks you get must be derogatory.

Also, i tend to try avoid looking at sweaty overweight people so if people are looking at you, maybe they're jelous or think your fit (although looks from old men shouldn't be treated as flattering)

Reply 15

Trundle

Just remember the reasons why you are going to the gym, that should put other concerns into perspective. As have already being said, most people tend to ignore you at the gym and get on with their own thing anyway.

If you don't try, you will never find out! :smile:

Reply 16

Anonymous #3

[quote]I don't do this because i'm subconcious but..[/quote/

if your subconcious you...

self conscious

Reply 17

=Keith=

Its okay.. jus go for it. I've finished my A2 exams and i remember joining the gym after my GCSEs, I worked out at home and shed so much of weight before i actually went into the gym. Its very well understood that even the fit people were "once" like u or were unfit. Ur shyness will never let u achieve ur goals.. so go for it without caring bout ne one else.
Maybe try jogging or u say u have a cycle and some weights? Do them at home first, get used t them so u dont look like a noob there !

Reply 18

friendsfreak88

Nobody will really be loking at you. Everyone is there for pretty much the same reason- to keep and stay fit. Go for it!

Reply 19

Austin226

i go to the gym four times a week, i was a scrawny guy before i started, i used to feel embaressed becase i couldnt lift half the wieght that other people there could, but i said stuff it i dont care, i started of small and built it up each time, now im just like the rest. - you shouldnt care what other people think, i listen to my i shuffel (best thing since sliced bread) alot of people do they just get on with working out they dont realy look at u, its selfconciousness