Gym Anxiety

For some reason I find that if I dress up real cute I feel better. I usually get cute but cheap gym wear and then I feel better about myself while I'm there.

Hey! I handle my anxiety at the gym by putting in my ear phones, listening to my favorite music, and focusing on the music. I don't look around the gym because if I do then my anxiety starts. I focus on my music, what I need to do, and the machines I need to get on. So, I pretty much tune out my surroundings. Hopefully this helps you in some way :) lol

I do appreciate the ideas:)

thank you so much!!

I have a cordenation disorder that makes me very bad at sports/ gym. I have anxiety in gym because it's a lot harder for me than others and no one under stands

I used to have a lot of gym anxiety until I joined planet fitness, there are so many different people, and the ente place is relly relaxed and non-competitive.

Oh, how strange - this is my first visit to the site, I came here due to anxiety with something that happened at the gym today, and this post was the first I saw.

I have to allow myself to give in to the flight response - if I feel like I have to escape then I leave, it means I'm not getting enough exercise and may look a little odd coming in the gym just to leave again soon after, but I get very anxious if I feel trapped. I'll use the 'easy' machines if they're in the corner just to ease into the gym and build myself up to doing harder exercises...or escape if I think it's too much. I also opt for classes and stick to solo exercise on days when it's quiet in the gym - I understand many do things the other way around, but I get anxious about looking bad for doing exercises wrong so being in a class reassures me I'm getting things right...even if I'm weakest/most unfit.

Given how trainers look at me, I'm guessing I still look anxious.

I didn't know it. THANKS!!!

I find putting in headphones and listening to music is best to allow you to focus on your workout. Even if someone were thinking about saying something mean to you or judge you, insults that fall on deaf ears end up making the person who is delivering them feel like a fool instead of you whom the insults were intended for. I say this even though it is unlikely that anyone is judging or going to insult you anyway. Most people are preoccupied with themselves, especially true at the gym, and don't really pay attention to you as much as your anxiety would have you believe otherwise.

My doctor referred me to a gym specifically for people with mental health issues - I know this kind of thing isn't available everywhere (and isn't widely know about even in the areas the service is available), but I think it's worth asking about if going to regular gyms causes you a lot of anxiety.

When I work out I find that it's much easier to block out what's around me when I'm doing something that needs a lot of concentration. I like doing resistance training and interval training, because they demand so much of you can't focus on anything else. I also find that staying away from mirrors, not facing other people (ie picking places to work out facing a wall / window), and listening to music help, too.

i go late at night so not as many people are there!