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Autism and the Gym

Expecto_Patronum

Looking for some advice, experiences etc on joining the gym. This is something I've put off for years partly for financial reasons but largely due to anxiety. But I'm getting to that point in life where I really need to up the amount of exercise I do to keep healthy. I have tried doing it at home but I just don't keep it up and give up too easily. I did well with doing couch to 5k but as soon as it got wet and dark in the evenings it went to pot. I also had some difficulties with my back which I've now had physio for so I need to get back to some sort of exercise.

I want to try going to the gym. I'm hoping that if I've made the effort to go then I will make sure I do the full amount of exercise. I won't have the excuse of the weather or dark to stop me going. But I also know I can't aim too high as I will give up.

I am wondering about just starting with swimming or whether I should alternate swimming and a light gym workout. I'm ruling out classes at this stage, I'd be far too anxious in a group of people. I think swimming would be a good start exercise wise, particularly with having had trouble with my back and because I know how to do it.

My big concerns are:

1. Making sure I actually go and not just wasting my money. I struggle with motivation and transitions so it would be easy to talk myself out of going.

2. The changing rooms. Particularly with swimming. I do not like changing Infront of people and so many changing rooms are open plan. This is a big mental block at the moment.

3. I have never used a gym. I don't know how different machines work. I know they will likely do a gym induction but I will not retain all that information and will struggle to ask for help.

4. The small, often unwritten, rules like can I take my towel to the side of the pool. There are so many things other people seem to just know and I've no idea how they know.

5. The initial going in and asking to join etc. I get so anxious about needing to approach someone and talk to them. This is another big block right now. I can join online but I assume I then still would need to go in and show proof that I had joined. I don't know whether I can start using the gym straight away if I do it online or whether I have to wait for a card or whatever.

6. Feeling judged. This is a silly anxiety of mine but I always feel like I'm being watched so somewhere like gym where there are other people, I'd worry what other people were thinking.

How many people here go to the gym? What have been your experiences? 

Parents

  • I‘m gonna move soon and don‘t know whether I‘ll be able to find another good gym for me, but here is the way it works for me right now:

    - I‘m in a women-only gym which helps me as a younger woman to feel comfortable. There are also many older women there which makes me less self-conscious and the atmosphere generally more relaxed.

    - I barely use machines etc. and basically only come to visit classes. I know you ruled them out, but if you ever find yourself rethinking that, I highly recommend trying it out. It helps with motivation to have a set time to train (makes it part of a routine), you don’t have to know how everything works and there are no unwritten rules because you’re just following instructions and I just always try to stand in the back (less stressful and way less self-imposed pressure). After some time, you recognise the people that always visit the class and even if you do not engage, it makes it feel less like a room full of strangers. 
    I have the luxury of being able to join some classes via Zoom on a regular basis (got some weights at home)

    - Finally, I balance everything by also going for runs/swimming/hiking or doing some home workouts because I‘m not able to visit the gym that often (too much sensory input, time issues because of work/studying or my dog). It usually becomes easier to do sport-related things at home, when you started to include sport in your routine. 

    - I always have my loops on me when going to the gym.

    This is what works for me. You might have an entirely different experience, but I still hope, some of the aspects might help you.

Reply

  • I‘m gonna move soon and don‘t know whether I‘ll be able to find another good gym for me, but here is the way it works for me right now:

    - I‘m in a women-only gym which helps me as a younger woman to feel comfortable. There are also many older women there which makes me less self-conscious and the atmosphere generally more relaxed.

    - I barely use machines etc. and basically only come to visit classes. I know you ruled them out, but if you ever find yourself rethinking that, I highly recommend trying it out. It helps with motivation to have a set time to train (makes it part of a routine), you don’t have to know how everything works and there are no unwritten rules because you’re just following instructions and I just always try to stand in the back (less stressful and way less self-imposed pressure). After some time, you recognise the people that always visit the class and even if you do not engage, it makes it feel less like a room full of strangers. 
    I have the luxury of being able to join some classes via Zoom on a regular basis (got some weights at home)

    - Finally, I balance everything by also going for runs/swimming/hiking or doing some home workouts because I‘m not able to visit the gym that often (too much sensory input, time issues because of work/studying or my dog). It usually becomes easier to do sport-related things at home, when you started to include sport in your routine. 

    - I always have my loops on me when going to the gym.

    This is what works for me. You might have an entirely different experience, but I still hope, some of the aspects might help you.

Children