Going to the Gym??

[veggielover]

Hello,
I just want some opinions or advice about this question. Well, I haven't gone to the gym in quite some time because I really dread the process of getting in. It's super easy but I always get horrible anxiety about it. Gym members like myself own a little plastic barcode that attaches to my car keys. To get into the gym, you have to scan your barcode on the scanner which is on the front desk where there is usually a person sitting behind. I get really nervous whether I'm supposed to say hello or not, but I usually just pretend I don't see them. Not because I'm rude, although I know that's probably the way it comes off, but because I'm nervous and don't really know how to act. If they don't greet me before I get to the scanner, I get really anxious and then I don't know if I'm supposed to say hello or what. I don't know if I should look at them or what. And there's been times where my barcode doesn't scan the first time and I get embarrassed about it. The worker behind the desk will be staring at me until I get it to scan and I'm so anxious during all of this. I just wish I could walk in without having to encounter anyone. When I finally pass that first part it's fine and I can do my own thing. Everyone is working out doing their own thing so that doesn't bother me because we're all there for the same reason. It's just that first little thing that really gets to me..
Any advice at all?
I know this is really ridiculous, but I can't help it.
Thank you.

 

[fitftw]

Not ridiculous at all. My gym has the scanner thing too. Sometimes I pretend to mess with my ipod or look at something else to avoid having to say something to the person, or they say hi right away and I return the serve, or I get freaked out about appearing like a jerk so I look in their direction and if they catch my eyes I say a quick "sup" or "hey." I don't add a question because I don't want to start a conversation.

 

[veggielover]

Well, that sounds like my exact reaction. I avoid as much as I can, but if they do say Hi first that's fine. I just don't like initiating it and I completely avoid eye contact or anything. Well I guess I won't know how bad it is until I go back and see how it goes..

 

[fitftw]

If you notice, it's weird for them, too. Try to read people's vocalizations and facial expressions at the same time. It's not exactly comfortable for anyone, including those without SA, to initiate a 'hello' to a stranger/acquaintance. At least at my gym. Maybe that one dude who's always working when I come in, maybe he has SA lol. So now I don't freak out as much, but thoughts still do come across my mind on my walk into the gym like "what should I do this time" but once I'm in I'm fine, I just do whatever my brain tells me to do lol

 

[harlseq]

I usually don't have a problem with saying hello to the person behind the desk. What gets me is after you've been a member for a while and start coming several times a week, they tend to recognize you and seemingly want to get to know you better by engaging in little chit-chat and such.

 

[veggielover]

Haha I completely agree with you. The same exact thoughts go through my head. I think I need to start going more so that it becomes more of a habit and it's not so hard to just get in there. haha.

 

[fitftw]

I've been going for 6 months and don't have any conversations with any of the employees lol. I guess I do come across as a jerk. Oh well...I don't like conversations for the most part especially at the gym. I'm there on a mission. Do not talk to me.

 

[veggielover]

It's the truth. I'm there for one reason and one reason only: to workout. If only going wasn't so difficult for me. I'm going to go though...hopefully it's not as hard as I make it out to be every other time I go....ha.

 

[fitftw]

what helps me go is this stuff called Jack3d. Pre-workout powder with creatine/caffeine. I dunno what might help you. I couldn't do it without something. Not for very long anyway. Go to GNC and explain your problem, see if they can recommend something to give you motivation.

 

[veggielover]

Motivation is definitely something that I'm lacking..I might have to go to GNC to check that out.

 

[DarkPhoenix]

Remember that you're the customer, and they're there to accommodate your needs, whatever they may be. If you don't want to say anything then don't

 

[agoraphobickatie]

sometimes i hate weird interactions like this, too.. most of the time i just don't feel like small talk, it annoys me... like going to the tanning bed, having to stand there and tell them what you want and pay and all that jazz....

look at it this way, they probably don't even want to be there anyway, they'd probably rather you just smile and be on your way.. they see tons of people swiping their little barcode card every day, so i'm sure they've heard and seen many weird people/things going on... i'd say the more you go, the more it's just a little teeny part of your gym experience and the easier it'll be to handle.. if it were me, i'd probably just look at them and do a "no teeth smile" (haha) and swipe my card and go..

my conversations with customer service people who are there to greet(bug) me are usually just a "hi, how are you? and i say "fine, thanks ::smile::"

 

[fitftw]

I hate checking out at a store. They ask me how I am. What if I said "****ty". Why does everyone always say "good, and you?". Nobody ever says they feel anything negative.

 

[mrb]

lol i know what you mean , i just have my i pod on , look at the person nod thats it , that was ages ago got my own gym at home now , you could just pretend your on the phone ....... or even better stop thinking about it so much , the problem is your worring about it before you even get there , so when you do get there its like omg what do i do ect .... dont even think about it , just pretend your looking through your keys to find the bar code bit .... a lot of sa is worring about stuff we have to do before we have done it , if it just happened it wouldnt be half as bad .... that last bit make any scence hmmmmmmm anyways good for you for going to the gym healthy body healthy mind and all that ....... peace gazza

 

[AGR]

Yes I get this everytime,I have always to force myself to enter the gym,I think with time it will get better,in my case the best thought is - if I cant even take the pressure to enter the gym,how I am going to take a punch,it almost always works.

 

[Danfalc]

Weird reading this topic,I have just started going back to my gym after a year of putting it off.I use to go three times a week and my anxiety about having to deal with the receptionists never got easier,but once I'm in It's not too bad.

I wait outside for a few minutes to try and let my breathing calm down,and as cheesy as it sounds-rehearse what I'm going to say,even if it's just say "Hi" I try and think the few minutes of anxiety are worth it for the positive things I get from going.

 

[overcome.]

I'll be honest, I doubt you'd need a pre-workout supplement to help with your motivation. I know that depression at times has killed my motivation in the gym and in general, maybe if you're going through a hard time related to that, that could be a plausable reason you're finding it difficult.

I actually used to have a similar problem when going to the gym, quite a while back now. Coming from somebody who often works behind the desk of a gym, I can say that people aren't as observant as you think. I know this doesn't take away from your anxiety, but if you were feeling very confident a particular day and said hello, then that'd be great for you. Normally most people say hello, or I will say hello first, but it's always nice to greet people (customer service and just general politeness) but not everybody is like this. I hope you'll be okay with that, it could help you, and I know it's a big step.

Avoidance is one of the maintenance factors for anxiety. As hard as it is, do your best not to avoid the gym. So many people are anxious there in general. Some find it hard to pluck up the courage to initially start going, or continue going. I started at 16 and am now 20 this year, and it's basically the only place besides home that I have virtually no anxiety over. Doing something over and over again can really help.

 

[veggielover]

I appreciate everyone's helpful responses! I'm actually really surprised to see how many of you deal with the same situation as I do. I'll try your suggestions next time I go (hopefully today). It's just a matter of not getting nervous or thinking about what's going to happen before I get there. Just walk in like nothings going to happen and get it over with. Whew!

 

[fitftw]

*claps* I think you get it now it's not like you're married to the receptionist. You see them for like 5 seconds every day. They're such a minor role in your life, and the reason you/we get nervous is because you make it seem like they matter. When really, they don't.

 

[Orbital]

It's even worse if you semi know the person. I used to play basketball at the YMCA and a guy that worked there sometimes played too, though I never really talked to him. This made going by the counter way worse if he was there, because I feel like a simple hello isn't enough. I feel pressured to have a quick chat or something but can't think of anything to say so I'd just say an awkward 'hi' and move along. I actually avoided going there on days I knew he worked.