Wanting to join a gym but scared

[Robby]

So for awhile now I've been looking at local gyms I really want to get fitter. I'm tall and skinny and want to bulk up. My social anxiety is mostly non existent now thanks to treatment, but I am still having some body image issues. I'm a tall lanky beanpole.

I've gone to some gyms and I feel really intimidated by the guys there, they're all muscular and sexy and I feel like a complete wimp. I'm stick thin and am scared to be in a gym environment and be looked at or laughed at, and I have no clue how to use any of the equipment. I have noone to work out with either, before anyone mentions the idea of a workout buddy. I wish I did, but I don't.

As usual, I'm on my own. I really really want to get started working out but I'm so self conscious.
I'm afraid of being looked at and made fun of. Also, what if I get in there and guys are congregated around the weights, how do you ask to use equipment others are using? No clue.

I'm mad at myself for being such a coward in this respect, I'm usually pretty fearless too. Don'nt know why gyms scare me so much. I want to sign up for one, but I feel totally lost.

 

[Judge]

I'm mad at myself for being such a coward in this respect, I'm usually pretty fearless too. Don't know why gyms scare me so much. I want to sign up for one, but I feel totally lost.

Clearly the intimidation factor is very real, or I wouldn't hear television commercials emphasizing certain fitness businesses which don't condone or even allow such things that can inhibit their customer base.

In other words, don't sweat it that you're sweating it. You aren't alone.

If I wanted to do this I would seek one of those gyms which advertise in such a manner. Of course there's no guarantee they enforce such policies, but in looking I'd think I'd prefer the fitness gyms that support such policies over those which don't say a thing about them.

 

[superawesomeme]

So for awhile now I've been looking at local gyms I really want to get fitter. I'm tall and skinny and want to bulk up. My social anxiety is mostly non existent now thanks to treatment, but I am still having some body image issues. I'm a tall lanky beanpole.

I've gone to some gyms and I feel really intimidated by the guys there, they're all muscular and sexy and I feel like a complete wimp. I'm stick thin and am scared to be in a gym environment and be looked at or laughed at, and I have no clue how to use any of the equipment. I have noone to work out with either, before anyone mentions the idea of a workout buddy. I wish I did, but I don't.

As usual, I'm on my own. I really really want to get started working out but I'm so self conscious.
I'm afraid of being looked at and made fun of. Also, what if I get in there and guys are congregated around the weights, how do you ask to use equipment others are using? No clue.

I'm mad at myself for being such a coward in this respect, I'm usually pretty fearless too. Don'nt know why gyms scare me so much. I want to sign up for one, but I feel totally lost.

See if any of your local gyms offer a Body Pump or Body Combat class. Those are a great way to start out and gain confidence. Most of the people who attend them, in my experience, tend to be slightly middle-aged or overweight so are in the same boat as you (I.e. not muscle men).

If not, find a gym with a variety of different facilities such as treadmills, cross-fit, weights, etc and enquire about getting a gym plan or training programme from one of the instructors. They will create a plan for you (usually 6 weeks) that will help you work towards your goals and introduce you to the different types of exercise you can do so that you don't feel like a noob.

That's what I did. It gave me more confidence and a feeling that I had the same right to be there as the muscle men - which helps a lot!

 

[FreeDiver]

I think your biggest problem is not so much the perception of your self image, as it's more about being in the presents of other people in general. Believe me, there are people there that feel far more embarrassed about their bodies then you do, and for a good reason too. Being that you're skinny, might I suggest going to the pool first and swimming a few laps. You'll find that most skinny people hang around the pool anyways, and I think you'll fit right in.