lookin ahead Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I have free access to the gym at my university as a student, and i want to go, i don't need to loose weight or anything i'm 5'7 and only weight 120 pounds, i just want to tone up a bit and stay in good shape and if i could gain muscle even better but nothing major i just want to find an excuse to do something on my free days to be out and do something, but i feel really embarrassed as i would feel self conscious (i have always felt self-conscious) I don't really do anything other than work and school. So i was looking for something to keep me busy and to forget my exh, its been a year since we last spoke (divorce stuff) and it still gets hard at times. I am 27 and i feel weird since everyone at the university is much younger than me i don't know i have all these self-consciousness about myself. I mean my classmates thought i was 23 since i don't look my age at all. But i just don't want to seem like a weirdo i guess i don't know. I just want to go to the gym but i feel embarrassed i guess going alone. It would be easier to have a gym partner but i don't have anyone that can go with me. I lost all my friends along the way when i was with my ex (we were together since hs) so he was my only friend. how can i overcome this? I just feel shy and embarrassed all the time for no reason gym or no gym. I just knew one guy all my life and now everything seems scarier on my own. Link to post Share on other sites
Frankelly12 Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 From my experience most people go to the gym alone. You could always find off-hours when there are minimal people in the gym. Or where headphones and put on your music right after you check in. That helped keep anxious and negative thoughts out of my head when I first started going to the gym. Try it out! The gym will work wonders for self-confidence. Give it a few weeks... and you may meet new friends. Link to post Share on other sites
clia Posted October 20, 2015 Share Posted October 20, 2015 I agree with the above poster that most people do seem to be at the gym alone, so there's really no reason to feel self conscious. But, I get it! Like anything else, the first time will feel uncomfortable and scary. Just ease your way into it. You will get more comfortable there the more times you go. The first time, stick to doing something in your comfort zone whether it's a class, making a beeline for the treadmill or a bike, or whatever. Going is the first step. Then just watch and observe those around you. You'll see that no one really pays that much attention to anyone else because they are focused on their own work outs! Over time, you will build up the courage to try out different things. Link to post Share on other sites
Author lookin ahead Posted October 21, 2015 Author Share Posted October 21, 2015 From my experience most people go to the gym alone. You could always find off-hours when there are minimal people in the gym. Or where headphones and put on your music right after you check in. That helped keep anxious and negative thoughts out of my head when I first started going to the gym. Try it out! The gym will work wonders for self-confidence. Give it a few weeks... and you may meet new friends. I agree with the above poster that most people do seem to be at the gym alone, so there's really no reason to feel self conscious. But, I get it! Like anything else, the first time will feel uncomfortable and scary. Just ease your way into it. You will get more comfortable there the more times you go. The first time, stick to doing something in your comfort zone whether it's a class, making a beeline for the treadmill or a bike, or whatever. Going is the first step. Then just watch and observe those around you. You'll see that no one really pays that much attention to anyone else because they are focused on their own work outs! Over time, you will build up the courage to try out different things. You both are absolutely right! The thought is so scary to me though, but i will try it out, and your right the more i try and go the more at ease i will feel eventually i just have to try it out. Maybe this is a new way of meeting new friends as well along the way right? I am so intimidated though, but i will most definitely give it a try, thank you so much for your advice it really helps! Let's see how it goes i guess i just need to get out of my comfort zone. Link to post Share on other sites
BrokenManAgain Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 7 minute work out. Look it up. But for any gain, you want to do at least 3 of these but start with just one until you can do three. And no, you don't need a gym. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
gaius Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Unless you're looking to seriously body build just buy a weight set for home. Less people to distract you plus less MRSA and other nasty sht too. Link to post Share on other sites
Ruby Slippers Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 I agree with the advice to put in your headphones. When I first started working more strength training into my routine, I was somewhat intimidated by the fact that 95% of the people working out on the weight machines were men, many of whom would ogle me and any other woman who entered that room. So I just put in my headphones to tune them out and focused on my workouts. It worked for me. And to get started, you just have to go. The first time is the hardest. Then you'll see that it's really no big deal. Everybody is there primarily to work out, just like you. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
chapter44 Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 There are a lot of people who when they started working out felt exactly as you do now. 27 is not that much older than the average college student, your not overweight or extremely out of shape. Like the previous posters have said put your headphones on - get in the zone and eventually you will look forward to workouts. If necessary hire a trainer to show you how to properly use the equipment and the proper form. Link to post Share on other sites
SpiralOut Posted October 21, 2015 Share Posted October 21, 2015 Check to see if your university offers introductory courses. When I was in school they offered an "intro to the gym" course that cost about 20 bucks, and they showed us basic gym etiquette and how to use the machines. Otherwise, just do as others suggest and go in during their less busy hours. Grab an elliptical machine and read study notes or a magazine while you work out. Link to post Share on other sites
PogoStick Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 Just start asking girl classmates if they want to workout with you. Many girls want to exercise and look better but are afraid like you. Someone will say yes. You'll end up with a gym buddy and a new friend. Link to post Share on other sites
fitnessfan365 Posted October 22, 2015 Share Posted October 22, 2015 (edited) Buy a jump rope for $10. One of the better forms of exercise IMO. You can also pick up a pair of adjustable weight dumbbells for in home use and do a variety of stuff with them. Or go outdoors. I'm sure your school has a track. Run intervals - the straight aways faster and curves slower or run the bleachers. Do push-ups on a step or from the ground if you're able. Also, use the open field for walking lunges, squat jumps, or calisthenics like burpees, mountain climbers, bear crawls, jumping jacks, etc.. Also there's public parks with jungle gym equipment for inverted row pull-ups, monkey bar scaling (way harder than you'll expect), etc.. Not to mention steep hiking trails and flights of stairs EVERYWHERE.. The possibilities are endless to stay out of a gym. I mean I can take any new client to a public park with nothing but their own body weight and give them a better workout in 30 minutes than they can get in 90 minutes at the gym. That's why one of my least favorite excuses is when people tell me they can't workout because they don't have access to a gym or can't afford one. Edited October 22, 2015 by fitnessfan365 1 Link to post Share on other sites
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