Autism and the gym

I was put off of going to the gym for a long time due to anxiety, but my mum and I joined one at the same time and that got me over that initial barrier. After a few times, I was comfortable being there and it took me some time to learn what routine worked best for me but I found exercises that I liked and I began to go consistently.

I no longer go to that gym, and instead go to a bit of a fancier, pricier one that offers more stuff (sauna, steam room, more classes, etc.) and I'm there pretty much every single day for either a workout or some sort of class, and it's become a big part of my life and it's had a huge positive impact on me, so I'd recommend getting into *something* fitness related to everyone.

I'd like to share a few tips for anyone else who may want to join their local gym but is put off for various reasons:

• If loud environments are a concern, invest in some good noise-cancelling headphones. I've gone with BOSE QuietComfort and they block out the gym's music and the sound of any weights being dropped, and makes a huge difference.
• If your own, or other people's, sweat is a concern for you, most gyms will provide cleaning sprays to clean equipment. Otherwise, bring your own and a towel and wipe stuff down before you use it. Be aware that most people (at least in my experience) will not bother to wipe down equipment after they've used it, and chances are they won't change their ways if you decide to lecture them.
• The vast majority of the time, people are not looking at you and critiquing how you're working out. Chances are they are miles away, lost in thought and just looking in your general direction, or perhaps just your movement in the corner of their eye has caught their attention. Do bear in mind I type this as a man, and women may have a different experience, and if you do have any concerns then alert a member of staff.
• The muscly, intimidating guys are usually the kindest there, at least in my experience. If you're looking at a machine for the first time and have no idea how to use it, go up the closest "big guy" you find and ask him for help, and 9/10 times he'll be glad to help and you'll make a new friend while you're at it.
• If crowded environments aren't your thing, ask staff when the quieter times are. If you have the money to spare, go for a more expensive gym - the cheaper ones are likely to be busier.
• If you're completely stuck on what to do, ask a friend who's knowledgeable, ask a personal trainer, or again, ask one of those big guys.
• Finally, just take the plunge and go for it. Dare to step outside of your comfort zone and get in touch with your local gym and sign up for a month. Once you've been a few times, it'll be much more familiar and friendly to you. Knowing what to do once you're actually there is a big help too, so use the above step to get yourself a workout routine, or there are many great free online resources out there which will help you get started - and don't get bogged down about what is 'best', just find something that works for you personally.

I was put off of going to the gym for a long time due to anxiety, but my mum and I joined one at the same time and that got me over that initial barrier. After a few times, I was comfortable being there and it took me some time to learn what routine worked best for me but I found exercises that I liked and I began to go consistently.

I no longer go to that gym, and instead go to a bit of a fancier, pricier one that offers more stuff (sauna, steam room, more classes, etc.) and I'm there pretty much every single day for either a workout or some sort of class, and it's become a big part of my life and it's had a huge positive impact on me, so I'd recommend getting into *something* fitness related to everyone.

I'd like to share a few tips for anyone else who may want to join their local gym but is put off for various reasons:

• If loud environments are a concern, invest in some good noise-cancelling headphones. I've gone with BOSE QuietComfort and they block out the gym's music and the sound of any weights being dropped, and makes a huge difference.
• If your own, or other people's, sweat is a concern for you, most gyms will provide cleaning sprays to clean equipment. Otherwise, bring your own and a towel and wipe stuff down before you use it. Be aware that most people (at least in my experience) will not bother to wipe down equipment after they've used it, and chances are they won't change their ways if you decide to lecture them.
• The vast majority of the time, people are not looking at you and critiquing how you're working out. Chances are they are miles away, lost in thought and just looking in your general direction, or perhaps just your movement in the corner of their eye has caught their attention. Do bear in mind I type this as a man, and women may have a different experience, and if you do have any concerns then alert a member of staff.
• The muscly, intimidating guys are usually the kindest there, at least in my experience. If you're looking at a machine for the first time and have no idea how to use it, go up the closest "big guy" you find and ask him for help, and 9/10 times he'll be glad to help and you'll make a new friend while you're at it.
• If crowded environments aren't your thing, ask staff when the quieter times are. If you have the money to spare, go for a more expensive gym - the cheaper ones are likely to be busier.
• If you're completely stuck on what to do, ask a friend who's knowledgeable, ask a personal trainer, or again, ask one of those big guys.
• Finally, just take the plunge and go for it. Dare to step outside of your comfort zone and get in touch with your local gym and sign up for a month. Once you've been a few times, it'll be much more familiar and friendly to you. Knowing what to do once you're actually there is a big help too, so use the above step to get yourself a workout routine, or there are many great free online resources out there which will help you get started - and don't get bogged down about what is 'best', just find something that works for you personally.