FabSwingers.com forum: Gym. Question

By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago

Happy Saturday all. So my question is or rather my own insecurity.

I’ve lost 5 stone in the last 8 months by dieting.

Need to loose another 2s but for my own mental health (getting out since I wfh most days) and my journey to be fitter….

I’m scared of going to the gym and being judged.

Is it a real thing? Being judged. I read that people don’t care in gyms. You are just doing your own thing.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I go to the gym quite frequently. I'm a twinky lil femboy, I lift next to people whose arms are bigger than my torso. Noone judges you unless you go in screaming and running around nude. If you're there to exercise then noone cares as they're too busy exercising to care. The gym is one of the friendliest places I've ever been to.

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By *andadbodMan
over a year ago

Liverpool

Dont worry, people who go the gym are only thinking of their own workout and goals, go, do what you want and leave, you’ll find most have earphones in and aren’t paying attention to anyone else who’s there.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Happy Saturday all. So my question is or rather my own insecurity.

I’ve lost 5 stone in the last 8 months by dieting.

Need to loose another 2s but for my own mental health (getting out since I wfh most days) and my journey to be fitter….

I’m scared of going to the gym and being judged.

Is it a real thing? Being judged. I read that people don’t care in gyms. You are just doing your own thing. "

It's hard to say if you will or won't but don't let that stop you. They generally won't do it out loud if they do. Someone looking at you doesn't mean they are judging either.

You've done great loosing weight dieting but I think you need some activity level increase to maintain and or keep it off.

Also good for your health. Get to a gym and do what you need to do. Just exercise safely and ask if you're not sure.

People there are generally happy to show/explain.

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By *razytimesinloveCouple
over a year ago

SW Scotland

Try not to let the idea of what others may do from stopping you from going to the gym.

Once you’ve went for a couple of weeks you’ll get settled into a routine easy enough

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By *unny.side.up.cplCouple
over a year ago

Birmingham

Congrats on the weight loss OP, that’s quite an achievement!

Definitely don’t worry about what others will think. There will be many people of all shapes and sizes in any gym, and they’ll all be there with similar goals.

I felt the same when I started back, it took a while to settle in but I have made some good friends now and feel like part of a community as everyone there has a common interest.

Good luck and I hope you achieve your goal

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By *oecutterMan
over a year ago

Clonakilty

"Happy Saturday all. So my question is or rather my own insecurity.

I’ve lost 5 stone in the last 8 months by dieting.

Need to loose another 2s but for my own mental health (getting out since I wfh most days) and my journey to be fitter….

I’m scared of going to the gym and being judged.

Is it a real thing? Being judged. I read that people don’t care in gyms. You are just doing your own thing. "

First, well done. That’s a fantastic achievement.

Second, some judge. Some don’t. You’re less likely to be judged at a spit ‘n’ sawdust bodybuilding or powerlifting gym than you are at a typical commercial gym.

But regardless… you can’t control what others think or say. You don’t even know what they think even if they tell you because people lie and we also misinterpret their words.

So my best advice is to focus on what you CAN control: your reaction to it all.

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By *xydadbodMan
over a year ago

Milton keynes

Thats pretty awesome bud. We'll done for what you've achieved so far

To be fair, when I first started the whole fitness journey, I had the same view that people would judge so it put me off joining the gym so I went out and got the basic weight sets and just did home workouts. It was comfy and I could do my own thing completely... it does have its limitations of course but you work with what you got really

And that was 6 years ago and my bedroom still doubles up as a gym now

Well done again though bro and keep it up

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By *az26Man
over a year ago

Solihull

Consistent Gym goer here. Honestly nobody really cares. In fact I’d say that i’m more impressed than anything if i’m seeing someone turn up to the gym on a regular trying to become fitter. It shows you’re disciplined and have real mental resilience - because as you know, training or going to the gym is not easy. Also, generally speaking, people are friendly and are helpful. Also congrats on the weight loss, keep it up (just make sure you’re getting all your micro/macronutrients and remember to rerack the weights back haha!)

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By *inister_SpinsterWoman
over a year ago

North West

"Happy Saturday all. So my question is or rather my own insecurity.

I’ve lost 5 stone in the last 8 months by dieting.

Need to loose another 2s but for my own mental health (getting out since I wfh most days) and my journey to be fitter….

I’m scared of going to the gym and being judged.

Is it a real thing? Being judged. I read that people don’t care in gyms. You are just doing your own thing. "

I'd choose your gym carefully. The smaller ones owned by people who know how to help can be excellent.

Big soulless gyms can be more of a challenge to a newbie.

Have you thought about learning a sport instead?

You'd get support from a team, increase your fitness and gain satisfaction from acquiring a new skill.

Well done on your journey so far.

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By *alandNitaCouple
over a year ago

Scunthorpe

"Happy Saturday all. So my question is or rather my own insecurity.

I’ve lost 5 stone in the last 8 months by dieting.

Need to loose another 2s but for my own mental health (getting out since I wfh most days) and my journey to be fitter….

I’m scared of going to the gym and being judged.

Is it a real thing? Being judged. I read that people don’t care in gyms. You are just doing your own thing. "

I think that it might depend on the type of gym that you go to. There is a huge difference between the smaller private places filled with huge guys lifting huge weights, and the corporate/council run "fitness suites" filled with treadmills & machines.

I suppose it depends on what your fitness goals are as to which gym suits you best.

Cal

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

This is a genuine insecurity that everyone has about the gym, especially when just starting out. No one cares, everyone is too focused on theirselves to worry about what you're doing. Just do you and you'll be fine.

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By *iddle ManMan
over a year ago

Walsall

Well done.

It can be daunting going to the gym at first, just stick with it and get used to going in a routine. Even if it's just treadmill walking to start with.

No one really cares at the gym as long as your there to workout, if you think people are looking at you then chances are they are not, people have to look somewhere and some machine mean eye line is in sight.

I would say stick the large corporate gyms as they tend to cater to everyone, some of the smaller niche ones tend to have a lot more weight lifting emphasis.

Good luck.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Hey OP,

Firstly well done on your achievement

great job!

I attend one of these 24hr gyms, was initially anxious because I've previously done swimming and classes rather than a gym workout, and thought it would be filled with all the beautiful people....

It's not

....

Various ages,sizes all doing their own thing, and I guarantee they won't even notice you.

If they did it's because you're now a regular face and it would be in a positive sense.

It's easy to talk ourselves out of doing something, because of what we perceive others may think.

My advice, have a look around at various places,you'll get a feel for the one that suits you best.

The staff/ trainers will want to support you and help you with your goals, nobody will be judging you.

Take a deep breath and go for it! You've got this

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Congrats on the weight loss!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

No one will take any notice of you pet. Just don’t slam the weights down, grunt like you’re trying to push a steam train or leave weights on the machines and you’ll be grand

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Personally, when I go to the gym I think it's easy for people with normal gym bodies to turn up (most of the time). I too get nervous before going the gym.

However I give credit to the none gym body types, who have had the worries and still said f'it I am showing up. That's real strength right there!

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By *avexxMan
over a year ago

cheshire

go for it OP i think you will enjoy it and make new friends along the way

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By *aigeWoman
over a year ago

Newcastle upon Tyne

As my husband says often. You’re not important to other people, nobody cares what you are doing in the gym, just get on with it.

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By *alm_one4Man
over a year ago

RM16

I’ve never judged anyone in the gym, I’ve never been judged in the gym, I’ve never seen anyone judge anyone in the gym. Hardest visit is the first visit, once you’re past that you’ll miss it if you don’t go.

Go for it OP, find a routine that’s going to achieve the results you’re looking for and you enjoy.

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By *hrek101Man
over a year ago

Herts

Congrats on the weight loss so far. In the decades I have been in gyms I've this worry a million times, but there are so many gyms these days, find one you feel most comfortable in. People really don't give a shit about other people there. Good luck

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By *amesBeelzebubMan
over a year ago

norwich

There probably will be some judging others but that's true anywhere

The thing to remember is that everyone goes to the gym for their own reasons

Even the guy built like Arnie or the woman with a body like an athlete probably look in the mirror and judge themselves

You may even inspire some with how much weight you lost

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By *avie65Man
over a year ago

In the west.

I haven't noticed anyone judging others at the gym I go to, everyone is either working out, talking to their training buddies or on their phones.

There are all shapes and sizes at the one I go to and just because someone is ripped doesn't mean they are fit.

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By *ynecplCouple
over a year ago

Newcastle upon Tyne

Nobody will judge you at the gym. The fact that you are there show you are willing to workout and aiming to improve your health and fitness.

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By *929Man
over a year ago

newcastle

Wont be judged mate everyone in there for the same reason to improve self most will be as happy to see you reach your goals as you are Gyms are generally a very supportive atmosphere

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By *ou only live onceMan
over a year ago

London

Well done on your weight loss - that's good going!

I know it feels intimidating, but it's really not. My gym is full of people of all shapes and sizes and different levels of experience. It's a friendly environment. Everyone is there to do the same thing and by and large focussed on their own workout.

If you can, perhaps arrange some sessions with a PT who can show you the ropes and set you up with a programme? And going at off peak times makes it a nicer experience too, I think.

Just break your duck - the first session is the hardest. Good luck!

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By *ohnSwingsSurreyMan
over a year ago

Horley

I’ve started going regularly for a year. I find that people just go about their business, and nobody is judgmental. All ages, shapes and sizes

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By *immyinreadingMan
over a year ago

henley on thames

"Happy Saturday all. So my question is or rather my own insecurity.

I’ve lost 5 stone in the last 8 months by dieting.

Need to loose another 2s but for my own mental health (getting out since I wfh most days) and my journey to be fitter….

I’m scared of going to the gym and being judged.

Is it a real thing? Being judged. I read that people don’t care in gyms. You are just doing your own thing. "

The harder gym activity there is is stepping through the door.

You then realise that everyone there has their own shit to deal with and they are far more concerned about courtesy and gym etiquette than other people’s body shape.

You could be absolutely ripped, but if you hog machines, don’t wipe down equipment, put dumbbells back, other users will think you are a total asshole.

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By *ophieslutTV/TS
over a year ago

Central

Gyms are fairly safe places, in my opinion. Most are fairly self-absorbed. There are mostly people who wish others well. I think everyone who is challenging themselves for a better future is amazing

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By *uckbiMan
over a year ago

Lowestoft

"Happy Saturday all. So my question is or rather my own insecurity.

I’ve lost 5 stone in the last 8 months by dieting.

Need to loose another 2s but for my own mental health (getting out since I wfh most days) and my journey to be fitter….

I’m scared of going to the gym and being judged.

Is it a real thing? Being judged. I read that people don’t care in gyms. You are just doing your own thing. "

I was the same but now after a few months I enjoy going. You get some muscled machine hoggers but other than that it’s a relaxed atmosphere and had some good conversations in the steam and sauna afterwards.

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By *luttyLaylaWoman
over a year ago

North West

Nope.

I don’t think it’s a real thing at all.

You’ve done amazing! And most gym people would be in awe of that and congratulate you.

I’ve done all the usual chain gyms and I run my own martial arts club.

What I would 100% recommend to everyone of all fitness abilities is CrossFit.

The lifestyle, community, support, exercise- all of it just next level in the CrossFit community IMO.

You should be super proud of yourself

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