I need motivation because I'm terrified of exercise.

[shanynstepsup]

I sign up for a gym class every day, and then every morning I drop out.

Why?

I'm terrified of the exercise, I guess. 

Anyone else can relate? Wanna motivate one another?

[Palinvan]

I can relate but found I was more terrified of exercising in front of other people than I was of the exercising itself.  I bought a weight bench, an eliptical and started biking to work (5 miles each way) a few weeks ago and haven't felt the anxiety I would when going to a gym or to a class.  Maybe it is exercising around people that is terrifying you more than the exercise itself? 

I wish you the best of luck!

[shanynstepsup]

You make a really good point, and you're probably right! But I signed up for a year contract at this gym so I feel I should ride it out : ( lol But in the meantime I should probably work on my own issues with doing that stuff, cuz I'm probably comparing myself.

Thank you!

[Palinvan]

Put on some headphones and practice tunnel vision 🙂  Then no one else at the gym can bother you, I could never get to that point but maybe you'll have better luck.

[sylvidee]

I was the same way when I started! I talked to a friend about it (who was a few years into her training, mind you!) and she simply told me that every time she sees somebody who looks new or is taking an extra few minutes to figure out a machine or the map of the place, she just thinks, good for them that they had the guts to start, and jsut makes a point of saying hello so they feel comfprtable asking for help if they need it. Since then it kind of changed the way I looked at myself at every new class or (when I moved) at a new gym-- I now tell myself that anyone looking at me stumbling into the wrong locker room or fumbling with a barbell is likely thinking the same thing: good for you for taking the first few steps! I also found that chatting up the staff is good, too-- having a friendly face who will recognize you is such a small thing that makes a difference, too.

You can do it! ❤️

[Catcough]

Guess I would like to ask why do you want to exercise? Some do it for appearance, some to feel better (internal fitness), some to help with a chronic illness (diabetes), some for that "high" feeling. Me, never have had the high feeling (but still hoping), so what is driving me - I want to feel good in my own skin. I want to walk a flight of stairs and not be winded; hike a trail and be able to talk with my friends and finally, feel good when I wake up. 

Once you know why you want to exercise - then it becomes a little easier to motivate yourself to do it.

By the way, I don't like most exercise - but I found when I am riding my bike outside - it is freeing, clears my head and I push myself to go farther and keep a good pace. I found a couple of apps that help keep me on target but mostly - it feels good and makes me happy. Maybe a gym doesn't offer what makes you feel good and productive?  Wishing you all the best.

[lbhynes · Accepted solution]

I think there are some good points: what do you want to get out of your gym experience? I worked at a gym, felt comfortable there, knew the people coming and going, but I still felt hesistant in pushing myself for fear of judgement. Problem was-only person judging myself (and holding me back) was me! The people I 'assumed' were bothered by my presence were in fact happy to see me hitting the iron and so happy to lend an ear to my many questions or praise my efforts. They told me of where they started, and know that even the fittest people start somewhere. If you're apprehensive, ask a friend to go. It keeps you on track and you get some visiting in! Buy some cute new workout clothes, download great tunes, and use it as a me time. Go prepared with a plan, even if it's twenty minutes and you leave. You'll come to love it! All the best 🙂 

[HelenaFitbit]

I agree with @Palinvan on this, the "workout around people at a gym" is scarier than the workout on its own. 

I bought a Wii fit and the Zumba for Wii sets and I'm much more comfortable working out at home. 

Now, I have a buddy who will be joining me at the gym. So I could have someone as my whining buddy 

[Kryssy90]

i was and still am a little anxious when going to the gym. and ive been with a trainer before that has taught me alot! but that was a few years ago and ive since forgotten some of the lessons learned. But i have found that most gyms offer a new client review and they have one of their trainers take you around and show you the ropes! you can ask them questions and they will show you how to use machines and what they are for. i know for me, after i knew that i was doing things correctly, i didnt feel as if people were judging me. i was there for the same reason they are 🙂 

hope this helps, good luck! 

[monkeypull]

I have to agree with what most of the other posters said.

Everyone else is at the gym for the same reason. Most people there have been out of shape at some point. They've been in your shoes and are likely cheering others on as they work out. I know I do. The other gym members are as much a part of the gym benefits as the equipment. While a minority of the patrons are seemingly insane, most are willing to provide both support and guidance. Look at the thousands of posters here in these forums offer advice and looking for answers.

I found a friend to be an important part of getting past my initial fear. Not only did I have a wingman and spotter, but I had someone who was counting on me to show up. NOT showing up was not an option. A good gym will have a good staff who understand both how to use the equipment and how to properly do the exercise. Find those people.

[Trooper]

My suggestion is go work out with someone that your comfortable being around with. It would be good to go with someone who has similar interests as you do. Or go when there are little or no people around. Early morning or late afternoon.  I have the opposite problem that you do. I thrive when I am in front of people. But I wasn't always like that  many years ago; I too was scared of being around and in front of people. Now the job that I do requires me to be in front of people most of the time. 

[Taurus21]

Hey 🙂 I hope everything is going better as I see it has been a month or so since you made the post. What I have been recommending a lot is going to Youtube and search Blogilates. They'd be short and effective home workouts but it'd get you familiar with your body and what it can do. The gym is intimidating but the trainers/employees are there to help you :). Exercise is easier when you enjoy your workout as well instead of dreading it. Have some good music or bring a friend. Best wishes and I hope things are going great 😄

[Farica]

I hope it's going better for you. I can't help with motivation for a gym - I'm not a member of one and I have no fondness for them, had negative experiences with them, being ridiculed and so on, and that was when I was much younger and not overweight - I shudder to think what would happen if I walked into one now. However I love walking, hiking, walking on a beach, anything outdoors. Dance wasn't bad, which was surprising considering I'm terrible not great at it and I was expecting to be ridiculed but a good teacher made all the difference. I also loved martial arts classes and took them for years. In the end it's about finding something that YOU love so that you can enjoy using your body. It won't last if you feel uncomfortable.

[monkeypull]

As I noted back in June, gyms have changed. They are not the same as what I experienced twenty years ago.

Many of the members started in an out of shape condition. The vast majority of new members drop out and the long-term members are the survivors. Which do you want to be? Most survivors have been where you are. They understand what it takes. You may think the "in shape" people are ridiculing you, but they are more likely cheering for you.

The choice is yours. You need to make it a habit. Stay in bad shape or get in good shape. Do it and screw what you think other people think. They probably aren't thinking what you think they are thinking anyway.

[KellsDBQ]

I used to be the same way. I always thought I'd need to lose weight to get in shape to go to the gym. I didn't like working out in front of other people. But after I went a few times I realized that no one cares 🙂  No one is looking at me or watching me.  When I am on a machine I am so focused on what I am doing (Starring at the time mostly) that I don't pay any attention to what anyone else is doing around me. So I have to think, they are doing the exact same thing.  Nearly everyone there is so focused on their work out, their music is blasting in their ears, they are convincing themselves to keep going, and counting down the time,  that they don't have the chance to really pay attention to what your doing. 

I am pretty overweight and wanted to try yoga classes at my gym but was bit scared cause I thought they would all be thin and flexiable then there would be the fat girl in the corner struggling. So I would tell my self I was going to go and never actually do it. Finally just did it and to my surprise most of the girls were just like me. Not in shape and not flexible, but they were all trying their best. Just go for it! You might be surprised by how much you enjoy it.

Everyone there had to start some where and they will understand that at least your getting out there and trying.