Exercising

[Penguin1220]

I have major anxiety in social situations which has made it hard for me to venture out. I also have depression so I am trying to get out and go to the gym to help, but also get some exposure therapy.

Does anyone have any advice about going to the gym and how to get through the anxiety? It keeps me from doing full workouts if there are other people in the gym/near the area where I need to be. I know some might say that over time I will get used to it, but I've tried it all before and I am still so scared. It also doesn't help when I don't feel confident in the workouts or the machines I am using.

Can anyone relate or does anyone have advice to offer?

[corgi_fan817]

hi penguin. I go when it opens. Smaller crowd and people are pretty friendly. I use the local ymca so the crowd is older and no one is recording themselves. Downside there are no amenities there like u see at other places.

[Suzzzi]

So my husband feels a lot like you do as far as people watching him. I was at Planet Fitness over the weekend and I made a point to look around at everyone and you know what? Not a single person looked my way. What I observed was that each individual working out alone is in their own world. Those working out with a friend are only interested in themselves and their friend. I don't know if this helps but it was quite an observation for me.

[Penguin1220 in reply to Suzzzi]

Yes! Feeling like people are looking at me is the major issue. Thank you for your advice

[catsrock]

I personally can't stand going to the gym so do at home workouts and run and swim - the swimming is with a masters group so I do get some social interaction that way. Just wondering if maybe you're not a gym person like me?

[Penguin1220]

I love using the equipment, and it puts me in a social situation (which my therapist advises me to do so). I have tried home workout, they just dont give me the same feeling. But yes, I have definitely thought I wasn't a gym person haha, Thank you!

[LoveforAll41]

Hiya Penguin, I agree with Suzzi. If you can handle it I would approach someone and ask them about an exercise you have seen them do or to make sure you are doing something right. Once you have a gym acquaintence you can say high to that person in the future and help you feel like you belong. Just being able to wave or head nod at one person goes a long way I think. ☮️

[Kayakin]

Hi Penguin, One strategy is to avoid those people by changing the order of your exercises until they move on, or go do some cardio for a while. Of course this does not always work. I have seen people park on a piece of equipment i needed, using their phone or resting forever. Sometimes you have a choice between free weights and machines for the same exercise. As has been pointed out, most folks are absorbed in their own thing, and do not notice you at all. It is so easy to incorrectly think everyone is watching you.