Do you go to the gym?

[Mo34]

Had my gym 'consultation' this morning. Have been booked in for induction next Tuesday.

[biscuits]

^ hope it goes alright, Mo. I've got a group one and I can't work out if that's better or worse. I'm hoping there's a keen been who will do all the demos. It's really bad that I'm just going to the induction and then meeting up with someone for lunch after .

[biscuits]

Originally Posted by Percy

Good luck biscuits

fanks, flower.

[limey123]

Nope.

[3stacks]

We've got a squat rack and loads of weight at home but I've considered the gym more for just an exposure challenge if anything

Sent from my SM-S908B using Tapatalk

[Percy]

Originally Posted by biscuits

fanks, flower.

You're welcome, buttercup

[biscuits]

So (oh my gosh, I do start sentences with so) I went to the induction today. The lady was really nice she could tell I was nervous. I was on the brink of panic and almost didn't go in the building. I felt so awkward! She was lovely and was telling me how I should go to classes to start with and develop my confidence in being in the building and then move on to using the equipment. She was saying how everyone was new at one time so no one will be judging me for being unsure.

I find it really hard to know how to behave. It's like I need an ear piece telling me to go on the running machine for five minutes. Then go on something else. I'm not sure how long you're meant to go on a machine for. It's like not knowing the script for being in the gym.

It made me realise how much I use scripts to learn what to do in any situation.

Existential gym crisis

Anyway, I know it will become familiar over time. It was very quiet in there too, so I think it will be better to go when it's busier and I won't feel like I stand out.

[Percy]

Well done biscuits, we'll need to see pictures of your new toned body when you get there

[biscuits]

Aw thank you, Percy!

no.

[Percy]

Aw

[Sunrise]

Gym's are yet another thing in life where it's the people that put me off more than anything else. My perception of them is that everyone there will be ultra competitive and really laddish and they'll all be trying to lord it up over me. I feel like I'd be a sad old man surrounded by all these twentysomething Greek gods boasting about their amazing lives and I'd feel very out of place. And I imagine the staff will all be proper drill sergeant types, screaming at you to drop and give me 20.

They're probably not like that, but I have a fear of being surrounded by people like that as whenever I actually am it's not good for my self-esteem and any potential health benefits would be overshadowed by my crippling insecurities. I wouldn't want to go as a social thing anyway. Is that part of the appeal for some? If I could be left alone to do my own thing with everyone else ignoring me I'd be more inclined to do it.

I try to work out at home, but it's not something I do for enjoyment. I see it as a chore really, no different to doing the washing up. I don't want to do it but I feel like I have to. It's not something I get any real pleasure from or feel passionate about. I can't get into fitness and exercise at all as a hobby. I see it as a part of the drudgery of everyday life rather than a way of escaping it.

[biscuits]

^ drop and give me 20 jelly beans.

So good to see you back, Sunrise! you've been missed!

[anxiouslondoner]

^^^ it's never like that at my gym
for example there were a few people who were clearly there as some sort of physio thing to recover normal basic movement
nobody was ever judgmental or gatekeeping
ymmv of course, it depends where you go

[biscuits]

^ What does ymmv mean?

You move my van?

Are you the OAC (original acronym creator)?

[anxiouslondoner]

your village may marry
no I mean your mileage may vary
basically a big disclaimer, what works for me may not work for thee.
I didn't invent it, it's standard internet jargon since 1806.

[biscuits]

^ tyvm for the explanation.

[Sorry to become distracted by your point haha thought I needed to brush up on my gym phrases]

My mileage is the same as yours. During the induction there were two newbies and one guy who was joining for physio reasons. The vibes I got from the place was that it was very quiet and everyone was in their own little silent bubble. They've intentionally set it up with quieter spaces for more privacy if people feel self conscious. Generally speaking, people who gain enjoyment from picking on others do it as part of a group or they do it online. It's a risky and odd thing to randomly go up to a stranger and make fun of them. I think that it's in very few people's nature to be like that. But I can understand how anxiety can create that sort of imagined scenario! Plus most places have a policy for no harassment, so you'd just have to report anyone and it would be sorted. Plus you're unlikely to run into the same people all the time.

When I scanned the room I noticed a wide range of fitness levels and physique and didn't really think anything of that. It felt sort of inclusive.

[biscuits]

Tomorrow I have yoga.
Monday - Zumba
Tuesday - Pilates

I'm yet to use the machines, but the membership fee is £12.99 so I feel like I'm getting my money's worth with the classes.

[Gellerbing]

No I find them too expensive, I'd rather go to dance class and do youtube videos at home.

[Ronnie_Pickering]

my "weightlifting" came to an abrupt end. £7 Kettlebell from Sainsburys, turns out these things have strain on the wrist.

[biscuits]

^ they make excellent front door stops on a windy day.

[MissKatie]

Gosh no. Way to expensive for me and being a trans woman in a room full of testosterone charged guys could be a recipe for disaster.

I just do walks these days for exercise