Exercising in a gym means I’m less likely to put off my workout if it’s cold or raining.
Gyms can be intimidating places – especially if you’re a fat person. I’m sure we’ve all seen the fatphobic advertising that some gyms use, know of people taking photos of other gym goers to make fun of them, or heard about trainers who shout at you until you cry, throw up or both. All of these things are vile, so it’s not surprising that a lot of people are really hesitant to go to the gym!
Despite all of these things I’ve found some really awesome gyms over the years, it’s just been a matter of finding the right one. Recently I’ve had a few people asking how to get started, so I thought I’d write a longform post for the gym-curious.
Questioning all of my life choices as I rest between sets during a core workout. Is it too late to go back to bed?
FINDING THE RIGHT GYM
I’ve been to a few different gyms in my time, some I’ve loved and some not so much. I cancelled my gym membership just before the pandemic hit (for financial reasons), but when I decided to join a gym again after a pretty big break, I decided I didn’t want to go back to the same one – it was time to find a new workout spot. I knew exactly what kinds of things I did and didn’t want. I wanted somewhere I felt welcome, where I didn’t feel self conscious or intimidated, where lots of different types of people exercise, that is not too far from my house and bonus points if they have a pool.
After some searching online and talking to others, I found a gym near me. It’s not intimidating and a lot of the other people I’ve seen working out there (at least at the times I’ve been) have been over 35 like me. There are people of different ages, body types and cultures. It doesn’t have that dude-bro gym vibe I’ve experienced at some other places, nor does it have a bunch of people filming their workout to post on social media. Just a bunch of people there to do the mahi.
Most gyms will do a free trial period, so I’d suggest going along and checking a couple out to see how you like them. Also see if you can get recommendations from others in your area (especially fellow fat babes). Getting somewhere with the right vibe is really important because otherwise you end up in that shit situation where you’ve committed to a 12 month membership that you pay for but never go. Who can afford that nonsense with the cost of living being what it is?
One of the things I was looking for in a gym was that it had a pool so I could go water walking – an activity that’s recommended for people with lipoedema.
WHAT WORKOUTS DO YOU DO?
My gym offers sessions with a trainer to help set up a programme tailored to your ability and your goals, and to teach you how to use the equipment/do exercises safely. I highly recommend this, especially if you’re just starting out as you don’t want to hurt yourself by going too hard out or doing an exercise wrong.
I have two programmes that I alternate between at the gym (both a combination of weights, cardio and stretching) which are tailored to my goals (improve my strength), and also go water walking sometimes. Usually on days when I’m feeling a bit lower energy or my legs are really achy (being in the water helps), and then I have a spa afterward!
HOW DO YOU GET MOTIVATED?
Finding the time to exercise has always been hard for me because my job is super full on and by the end of the day I am not so keen to get out and do it. Over the years I’ve experimented with exercising at different times of the day, but I find that if I leave it until the late afternoon/evening the more likely it is that I will come up with an excuse to not to it. So I’ve made going for a walk or heading to the gym or getting in the pool the first thing I do in the morning. It means I have to get up a bit earlier, but ticking it off first thing in the morning means it’s done and I can get on with the rest of the day without trying to summon the energy to work out when I just want to cook dinner and chill out with the whānau.
I’m not going to lie, getting up at 6am sucks. My partner and I go to the gym or pool together most of the time, there are some days that he cycles in to the office so I go to the gym by myself. Going together makes it easier when one of us really wants to stay snuggled up in bed (usually me) to have the other say nah come on let’s go. Meeting a friend can also be a good idea!
Sometimes I am definitely not happy about exercising, but I have to say it is a good way to shake me out of a funk!
One of my barriers to exercise is bad weather. A gentle summer rain isn’t so bad, but an icy cold winter morning? Absolutely not happening.
There are a number of things that I’ve identified as barriers for me exercising – finding time around full time work, things that make me not want to exercise (cold, wet, having my period), and motivation. Once I identified those barriers I worked to remove them. I exercise first thing in the morning so I get it out of the way before I start work, because if I leave it til the end of the day then it just doesn’t end up happening. I used to go walking for exercise, but when the weather isn’t optimal, I don’t want to lace up my shoes so I joined a gym which allows me to still exercise when it’s cold and wet, rather than exercising outside. I also made the decision to prioritise rest when I have my period and if I’m sick, so I don’t exercise during those times.
I switch things up between gym workouts, water walking and walking outside. I bought an Auckland Zoo membership for Doug and I this year, so we usually either walk around the zoo or in a local park. If I’m not keen on a gym workout then I always have other options (I do try to make the most of my gym membership though, because I am paying for it!).
At the end of the day, my motivation stems from my desire to prioritise my wellbeing. Exercising 4-5 times a week is one of the ways I care for my physical and mental health, and the one person who can get that done is me!
If you have any tips for the gym-curious or gym-reluctant among us, please share them below!
Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
I am scared to go to the gym, purely for the reasons you mentioned at the beginning.
I had 7 weeks off work in October to December and planned in that time to get on a health journey.
Using my treadmill, I then ventured out in the parks with walking. That stopped pretty quickly with pain in feet, ankles, knees and hips.
Decided to do sitting exercises to dancing exercises in my lounge, but then got sick.
Being 57 yrs old, morbidly obese woman, I have now sourced a swim suit that covers my thighs and biceps, but am way to self-conscious to use public pools for water exercises.
Have got my GP to do a referal to hospital for aqua exercises, crossing fingers now.
Good on you for giving a few different things a go! Seated exercise is a great idea if you’re finding that walking/standing while exercising is difficult – I’ve done a lot of seated yoga while I was waiting for my knee surgery/recovering from it, and I found it so helpful in terms of having an option that was adaptable to my mobility level. Best of luck with the aqua exercises – I wish you could come to the pools with me (if you live in/near Mt Roskill in Auckland let me know, we can organise something!), it’s so much easier going with someone and honestly the pools I go to have people with lots of different body types which makes me feel far less conscious about my body standing out! Would love to know where you got your swimsuit, I love the idea of something that covers my thighs and biceps to help keep me warm!
Your gym rocks! A pool and a spa! My gym isn’t nearly so fancy but I like – it’s a well known chain but there isn’t much posing going on (or else I’m oblivious to it). It’s clean and everything is always in working order. I would add that if you want to go at peak times, check out the number of cardio machines, classes or other equipment you plan to use. It’s annoying if you are a keen rower and want to work out at 6.30am but your gym only has two rowers.
Lastly, my sarong is my gym best friend. I have a really long one that goes round me with good coverage for wearing to/from showers, so I can just carry a small towel while still conforming to the changing room Cover Your Bits etiquette.
Your post has inspired me to go tomorrow morning, i’m off to get my stuff ready so I can roll out of bed and be halfway there before i have to think.thanks!
Great tips Lyn, thanks for sharing! Really good point about peak times – that’s how I ended up giving the stationary bike another go actually, because the treadmills were not available when I wanted to use them.
I don’t shower at the gym (perks of working from home means I have time to come home and shower after my workout), but the sarong tip is a clever one! I do wear a lavalava when I’m heading in for a swim, they’ve very handy.
Thanks for sharing Meagan! I’ve also found the exercise/gym that suits me and it makes it so much easier to go each day. I also go first thing, it’s harder to convince myself not to go when I roll out of bed, get dressed and head straight there.
Please tell me the getting up early to work out gets easier! I hoped it might after the first month or so, but it’s been almost a year and I still struggle 😅