Do you go to the Gym?

[newbs16]

I am after some advice about possibly joining a gym.

1) Do you have a gym buddy
2) How did you cope with the induction
3) Has it helped your anxiety

[jez9999]

Originally Posted by newbs16

I am after some advice about possibly joining a gym.

I bought a relatively expensive gym membership and it was like 2 months before I worked up the courage to go but I finally did lol!

1) Do you have a gym buddy

Nope. Asked a couple of people but no-one wanted to so I just went on my own as usual.

2) How did you cope with the induction

Clonazepam helps. Just went head-first into the induction, not too bad, shown around the machines and given a suggested workout.

3) Has it helped your anxiety

Nope, not really. I'm less anxious about going to the gym, I guess... although I can luckily go around midday when it's much less busy. But so far, hasn't increased my confidence socially. I didn't really expect it to, either, so it's not much surprise.

[Jam]

Newbs, have you considered working out from home? I do all mine from home, and you've seen what I look like without my top on

[newbs16]

^ haha showing off are you?

[Jam]

^ Seriously though, if you find joining a gym too hard, try working out from home for a while, see how that goes for you. You'd be surprised.

[newbs16]

^ Thank you, what kind of workout do you follow at home?

[Dan_Ryan]

I don't go to the gym, but cycle for a club and race competitively. I find my anxieties go away somewhat when I'm with like-minded people.

I couldn't imagine not doing regular exercise. It certainly makes me feel good what with all the endorphines being released.

[Mr. Nobody]

Sports Direct have gyms where membership is £10 a month,
If you want to join and take part in classes the price goes up a bit,
But they are pretty good gyms, (I'm told)

I'd agree with Jam, exercising at home is a sound alternative.
You'd be as well doing that to begin with anyway depending on what level of fitness you're at, as most work precludes a basic level of core strength to begin with, and that's best achieved by simple exercises like press-ups and sit-ups which you can do anywhere,

In think change has some really positive points above ^^^^^^^^^

[choirgirl]

I'd like to work out more at home including weights. But I am sure I will have the wrong posture and so myself an injury so I really need a personal trainer to get me started. But I don't want/want to pay for an ongoing personal trainer. So I'm just slobbing on as it becomes one of a million things I intend to do once I've moved out/got more money etc etc.

[Mr. Nobody]

there's some good books out there for weightlifting etc.,. plus loads of youtube vids no doubt,
I think a mirror is good for posture and symmetry etc. a

[choirgirl]

Maybe the mirror is the answer. I have done youtube vids. I just want someone to check I'm doing it right.

[daydreamsandicecreams]

Did you end of joining the gym? I'm currently in the process of joining but I keep holding myself back

[Formershyguy]

I remember I used to work out at home simply doping pushups and sit ups every night without fail from 15 til I was 20 and got quite lean from it. Then I bought some weights and then in 6th form I found a friend and we'd sometimes go to the gym together but I always felt like he was only pretending to be my friend and I knew he would talk about me behind my back. He was such a dick!

But it did give me the confidence to join new gyms. The gym I go to now is perfect. No egos and people seem to be friendly. Once in a while I might get talking to someone in the changing room or between workouts.

I'm lucky enough that I work flexitime so I mainly go around 2.30/3pm when its quiet, sometimes with barely anyone there. You'd be surprised how many early risers there are in the gym. Its annoying though when I have to wait to use equipment. or when some ****er has but their sweater or water bottle near a bench but they're not even using it. Sometimes I don't feel I can say anything but I will if I have to and just simply ask if they're still using the equipment.

If you're finding it hard to go to the gym ask yourself why this is? is it because you feel self conscious? the people? having to face difficult situations? Remember the staff are there to help you. They're paid to help you! Your membership actually pays their wages so in effect we own them haha!

[Formershyguy]

Originally Posted by daydreamsandicecreams

Did you end of joining the gym? I'm currently in the process of joining but I keep holding myself back

Hey my friend just take baby steps. I found it hard to try a salsa class and infact other interests I wanted to pursue but through baby steps I manageed to push myself. It took me 3 weeks before I could actually walk into a Salsa class and after that I was really proud of myself. It felt like an achievment and a major victory against my social anxiety.

Whats stopping you from going? Make a list of all the reasons then make another list of positives why its a good idea to go to the gym. Also make a list challenging the reasons why you feel you can't go.

[anxiouslondoner]

1. I used to. I seem to have got out of the habit as I haven't been in over a month, but it's going to be very difficult to get back into it and I've put on loads of weight.
2. I didn't have an abduction, I managed to avoid it.
3. No not really. The only pleasure I got from going to the gym was knowing I wouldn't have to go back the following day.

[Bluebear]

I’ve never been to a gym..

[Gosties]

I don't go to the gym either but I keep myself reasonably fit.
I have a exercise bike which I maintain a regular schedule on.
Looking to add a rowing machine to mix things up.
Although redecoration of spare room will need to happen before that can happen.
Regular exercise has allowed me to lose 5 Stone and 6 Ins from my waist over a two year period.
Embarrassment and some Social Anxiety prevented me from going to a gym.

[Consolida]

^ Wow, that's brilliant Gosties - 5 stone is a lot to lose I imagine you must feel so much better energy wise

I've never been to the gym. I did suggest going with my teenage son who goes regularly but he wasn't at all keen on the idea. Not sure that he could cope with the embarrassment of being seen with his chubby mother dressed in spandex.

I have a treadmill in the garage and one of those cycling/rowing thingies but haven't been near them for nearly a year hence my weight gain

Maybe tomorrow, when I feel less tired, I'll start using it again although to be honest I prefer just going for a walk.

[Gosties]

Physically feel much better and knee pain problems I was having before weight loss completely gone.
The biggest issue is maintaining the routine. It was a combination of diet and exercise.
Not getting too upset with peaks and troughs with occasional bouts of weight gain during the two year period.

[You Have 0 New Messages]

^Well that's that then, I'm never going swimming again.

[limey123]

Originally Posted by biscuits

I can't go swimming because all I think about is swallowing people's snot.

Not to mention those that pee in the pool...

[Sisyphus]

I don't seem to have the discipline needed to work out at home. I go the the gym three times a week.

My gym is a warehouse so you don't have to talk to anyone. You do get a lot of eye-contact practice though.

I used to like swimming, but have just gone off it a bit for some reason.

[You Have 0 New Messages]

Originally Posted by Tonkin

Joined The Gym.

You do it online and they give you a PIN for the door and there's no induction unless you want one.

Go alone, download an app like StrongLifts 5x5.

Watch the videos, do the work out, go home.

Do you find 5x5 to be effective? It just seems like a waste of time to start off with silly light weights for several weeks just to end up stuck back at the same plateau where I originally was.