Want to go to Fitness Center but can't

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I want to get in shape but I just don't have the self-discipline to do it at home.

A typical solution is to join a gym/fitness club hoping that because it's new and costing me money, that I'll go regularly.

My problem is that between my Asperger need to know exactly what to do, and deeply seated fear of embarassment left over from very bad school experiences, I can't even get in the door to see what the place looks like.

Curiously, I do go to yoga classes and have no problem walking into a strange class.

I'm looking for suggestions on getting through the gym door and getting started.

I've heard of some people getting 'exercise' partners; the idea is that you both encourage the other to keep up their regime. It's supposed to work better than doing it alone.

If you think a gym is your best option though, why not find one that's in an area where few people know you (so if you feel embarressed, who cares?) and just force yourself in to reception on the first day; you don't have to talk to anyone if you can't, just get the lay of the land and then retreat. You'll feel a lot calmer coming back in a week or so later if you've an idea of what the place looks like. Some gyms also have websites that have pictures; you could get an idea from these too

Good luck!

Here's an idea that may help with a couple of the issues - many gyms offer trainers as part of their membership, or as a slight extra fee. Mine includes them at no charge. They will help teach you what you should be doing, and I find that making an appointment really helps me make sure I go.

Why do you really have to join a gym? The BEST form of exercise is simply...WALKING. Get out and walk for just 15 to 20 minutes every day and you will begin to see your weight drop. After awhile, increase the amount of time you walk to half an hour or more, whatever you feel capable of accomplishing.

Gyms cost money...and all one really needs to exercise and stay in shape is a good pair of walking shoes. That's how I stay in
shape and I have done it for years.

Trainer is a good idea, that's what I did. They show you how to use the machines and even help create a workout for you so you will know what to do when you go there. Also my trainer gave me a tracking sheet to write down my reps and times and that helped me a lot.

The only bad part is that when she was fired (she complained about their pay rates) I didn't have the motivation to go to the gym anymore cuz I didn't know what to do and didn't feel like starting over with a new trainer after i've been seeing this one for a year already

Join one of the fitness chains that is open 24-hours. And workout out around 11 or 12 at night when there is only a few people there. That's what I do although I sometimes go earlier.

My experience from the gym I go to, is that people hardly even look at anyone else. Everyone just goes about their business, barely even glancing at the other people.

Just observe the rules - things like "no street shoes" & "wipe the equipment down after you use it" (they will give you a list when you join) & everything will be cool.

I used to walk every day - but always had to quit when the weather got cold and snow & ice started to accumulate. Joining the gym gave me access to an elliptical trainer (now my favorite aerobic exercise), as well as many fun and interesting weight machines. Even during walking weather, I still go to the gym three times a week to do weight training. (I used to be overweight, but started to really drop the pounds once I started weight training.)

My health insurance provider also pays $20 a month for my gym membership (as long as I go twice a week.)

OP back to resurrect this thread.

Well, I did it, I worked out at a fitness center today (I still don't like to say the G word). I think everyone here had something good to say for me, especially the part about everyone is in their own world.

As I mentioned I do a lot of yoga classes and realized that after the first few classes, I hardly notice what other people are doing; it's just the instructor's voice and me trying to not fall over

In retrospect, another unspoken issue last fall was that the most logical place to join -- just a couple hundred feet from my house, has a pool and I have really big issues about that. If I went there I'd be able to smell the chlorine and imagine people encouraging me to try it. That may come in its own time, but for now at least I'm in the door and doing things.

The other thing that turned it for me was an offer by the place I joined which after my insurance reimbursement, works out to under $10 per month -- I had to pay 18 months in advance, but I was finally ready.

Meeting the trainer, getting a program worked out, and actually doing it was an anti-climax.

Thanks all for helping me think this through to a good ending!

Congratulations on getting it going! Best of luck on keeping it going & getting what you want out of it.

I had exactly the same problem when I wanted to start going to the gym two years ago. I was an overweight middle age man who had been put down all his life. I had all these fears of big muscle guys laughing at me and making me feel out of place. To my surprise, this never happened. All the people at the gym were really friendly to me - even the females, surprisingly enough. Because I was having these positive experiences, I kept going. Now two years later I am a fit, trim and solidly build middle age man. Most people who meet me now do not believe I am 43yo. I actually like what I see in a mirror nowadays. Best of all, basically no one gives me s**t anymore. On the odd occasion when some dick on the street decides to get aggressive with me, I have the confidence to stand up for myself. They ALWAYS back down.

Not that I am the size of Arnie - far from it. But I am in a lot better shape than I was two years ago. People have a tendancy to respect you if you look like you can handle yourself.

Whether you go at night to a 24 hour gym or you decide to get a trainer, I advise you to just go and do it. You will be surprised at the amount of respect people at gyms have for others who genuinely want to improve themselves. Best of all, there is no limit to the respect you will have for yourself once you start to see improvements in yourself.