Intimidated by the gym?

So I joined a gym, I have a trainer once a week. Other than that session though, I cant bring myself to go. Im completely intimidated by the gym. I dont know what to do without my trainer there. I want to go, but I cannot bring myself to go and figure out all the machines while everyone is watching me CLEARLY having no idea what I am doing. Its a REALLY small gym, not a chain, so its not like an LA Fitness where you can get lost and no one cares bc its 80,000 square feet. Everyone is RIGHT there.

Anyone else intimidated by the gym? How did you make yourself go, what do you do while you are there?

Message edited 7/23/2014 11:43:36 PM.

Re: Intimidated by the gym?

Yes. My membership is currently on hold.

I tried the partner route and that didn't work, and at the same time, I don't want the obligation of meeting a partner.



I also didn't want to pay for regular PT sessions.

Overall I just don't think the gym interests me which makes it even harder to stay motivated.

Intimidated by the gym?

Ask your trainer to write up a plan for you to follow, with a grid where you can log how much weight and reps. At my gym, I see a woman in the best shape who takes out a binder full of workouts from magazines, takes out the days workout, and follows that! I always say I'm going to do that but am just not organized enough!

Intimidated by the gym?

I think you just have to get over that feeling that everyone is watching you, because they probably aren't. Can you do what you do with your trainer when you're not with him? All the machines have instructions on them so you can just give a quick glance and then get to work.

Intimidated by the gym?

Trust me nobody cares about what your doing. Dont let intimidation stop you frkm getting the results you want. Your paying for membership so you should use it. Google free weight routines & machines. Like OP said each machkne should have instructions. You can ask gym personnel to show you. Even if you go to ride bike or walk/run treadmill to get more comfortable thats better then not going at all.
Also do same routine your trainer did with you. You will do fine ..just GO!

Re: Intimidated by the gym?

Ask your trainer to use one of your sessions to show you a simple routine to follow when you don't know what to do, and how to use the machines.

I'm a trainer, and while I prefer my clients not use too many machines, I'd rather they use machines and be comfortable than not go.

You are not alone in feeling this way, but as others mentioned, everybody is doing their own thing and not watching what you are doing.

Re: Intimidated by the gym?

Re: Intimidated by the gym?

I was intimidated by the gym the first time I went after switching. I was at the same place for years and completely familiar with the set up and all of the machines.

I started working with a personal trainer for the first few months and asked him to show me around and the proper use of the equipment so that when I came to work out on my own, I didn't have to sit there and figure it out.

Also, I'm not sure if you're a morning person, but I prefer to go before work because it's a lot less crowded than the after work hours.

Good luck!

Re: Intimidated by the gym?

I agree with the going in the early morning.

I think this is the main reason I could never find a partner to motivate me, but with that said, in addition to it being pretty empty, it's a different crowd....mostly professionals or older people walking around the track at mine.

I've found the meat heads and those with the wandering eye tend to be there after work or in the early evening because that's the peak time.

I'll probably try it again in the fall.