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Autism and the gym

Billy87

I am currently training to be a personal trainer and it has really occured to me that when I start up I want to work with other autistic people like me, some of whom might by reluctant or overwhelmed about going to the gym and other similar places. 
Personally, I have always struggled with the gym, I can find it an intimidating place, loud music (usually painfully bad RnB, not like it's anything decent like a bit of punk rock), posers, guys with way better bodies than mine etc. It's often put me off getting fit. 
Fortunatley, now I have found a gym I am comfortable in and really enjoy going to but its taken me many years. 

I just wanted to know other people's experiences of gyms and fitness in general so I can have an idea how I can help other autistic people like me when I'm qualified 

Parents

  • I use a small city gym that is not frequented by ‘posers’ so it is actually a nice atmosphere. No one is looking at anyone else and there isn’t a competitive vibe. It’s not an expensive gym so the equipment is tired but functional. There is a ladies only mini gym that I sometimes use, but not that often, though I can tell some women feel more comfortable in there. There is background music but it is low - good for me as an autistic person, though sensory overload isn’t why they do it, I think it’s so that it doesn’t drown out people’s headphones. I could do with the lighting being dimmed a little as it is quite bright, but I appreciate other users might not like that. I also appreciate that there is a ‘gym etiquette’ panel on the wall with general dos and don’t, which is useful. However, one thing they could add is not to hog a machine by sitting at it typing on your phone and not using it while others are waiting - drives me nuts, but I don’t like confrontation so don’t want to say anything - especially as so many people do this so feels like fighting a losing battle. 

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  • I use a small city gym that is not frequented by ‘posers’ so it is actually a nice atmosphere. No one is looking at anyone else and there isn’t a competitive vibe. It’s not an expensive gym so the equipment is tired but functional. There is a ladies only mini gym that I sometimes use, but not that often, though I can tell some women feel more comfortable in there. There is background music but it is low - good for me as an autistic person, though sensory overload isn’t why they do it, I think it’s so that it doesn’t drown out people’s headphones. I could do with the lighting being dimmed a little as it is quite bright, but I appreciate other users might not like that. I also appreciate that there is a ‘gym etiquette’ panel on the wall with general dos and don’t, which is useful. However, one thing they could add is not to hog a machine by sitting at it typing on your phone and not using it while others are waiting - drives me nuts, but I don’t like confrontation so don’t want to say anything - especially as so many people do this so feels like fighting a losing battle. 

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