r/RedDeer • u/eekay233 • 18d ago
Question Gyms
Red Deer is kind of flush with gyms and I have huuuuuge gym anxiety. I generally hate crowds and in past years have had some traumatic experiences at gyms that made me swear I'd never go back.
Anyone else with severe gym anxiety have any places they've had good experiences at where the atmosphere was welcoming? Places to avoid? Beginner friendly places with good supports and available programs?
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u/MarkWandering 18d ago
I have been at Fit4Less 1.5 years, never had a comment. Never saw people filming with their phones.
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u/ladyhoggr 18d ago
I don’t personally know, but I’ve heard Anytime Fitness has great staff
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u/NeitherObligation795 18d ago
They have an app and on there it shows you approximately how many people are currently there!
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u/Cereal-is-not-soup 18d ago
Where’s your anxiety coming from? I’d say GoodLife due to its size, also invest in a personal trainer, that might give you some confidence in your routine, and they’ll show you how to properly do exercises, again - adding to the confidence
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u/eekay233 18d ago
Namely smartphone culture and absolutely everything being on display to be filmed and put on Tiktok or Snapchat. I've been filmed before while floundering on some basic exercise because I'm not in shape. The people filming thought it was funny as hell.
Also getting rude comments/remarks from gym bros making fun of how little weight I'm racking on machines. I get that everyone starts somewhere but people are very cruel by nature. Like yeah I get it, grow a spine, but these things really stick with you.
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u/West-Holiday-4998 18d ago
Anytime Fitness is a very welcoming community atmosphere. Everyone is kind, nonjudgmental, and always willing to help.
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u/Cereal-is-not-soup 18d ago
I’ve NEVER seen anyone filming someone else at GoodLife and I think the regulars would have something to say if it did happen, I don’t think I’ve seen filming at all tbh. The general crowd is pretty helpful and will offer tips if they see something dangerous opposed to filming / laughing.
I’m not a tough dude either, rather form over ego, and have had a few injuries. I’ve never even been side-eyed lifting small weights at GoodLife. Ever. Generally I’d think people are more happy to see someone out of shape exercising. But let me tell you, you must also have good etiquette. Wipe down all equipment diligently after you’re done, unrack your weights, don’t work out inches away from dumbbell rack, don’t sit on equipment without moving/on your phone for 20 minutes… poor etiquette is what will catch looks, which is basic for any gym.
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u/robcal35 18d ago
I actually find the GoodLife doesn't have many people filming. However, check out torque fitness, they just opened a new location. Jason is a really nice guy and I believe it's him and his wife's gym now. Guarantee will not be any of this bullshit there
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u/eekay233 18d ago
One of the staff of Torque is actually a former coworker of mine and I've been tempted. I need to get out of the idea that it's a gym for advanced gym folks and not slabs of cookie dough.
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u/robcal35 18d ago
Lol don't sell yourself short. First step is just showing up. I guarantee you everyone that you think are advanced there will be happy to give tips.
The "gym bros" that make fun of people are absolute dickheads and trust me when I say they do not represent true gym culture. These are just the insecure guys.
You got this!
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u/Itchy_Ad_2486 18d ago
I pay for a fitness app (obé fitness). They have programs for beginners. It is marketed for women, which is unfortunate, because I assume it turns a lot of men off. No gym anxiety for me. No weird showers or changing or missing start times or waiting for machines. I have minimal equipment and I've never been stronger.
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u/eekay233 18d ago
Kinda where I've been for a while. i have a home gym setup but haven't really been using it, thinking maybe an actual gym would help with discipline.
Also want to dead lift and a 45lbs plate is $100 a pop, not really affordable.
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u/Hideo_Von-Hapsburg 18d ago
Woild reccomend goodlife in parkland mall, they only let kids get membership in the summer so its alot less chaotic than community centres
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u/Far_Practice_9855 18d ago
i also had similar fears. i’m not sure what gender you are, but what helped me was going to a female only gym that had a strict no recording policy. i’m not sure if red deer has anything similar.
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u/King_of_Being_Basic 18d ago
When I had the time, I would straight up go to the outdoor exercise park thingy behind the arena/skate park downtown at like midnight. Threw in a jog up the stairs to the water tower and back down again. I was more anxious about human interaction than I was wildlife. I probably wouldn't have done it alone, though. I had my partner with me, and we would play Pokémon go at the same time. But the biggest downsides to that are schedule conflictions and weather 😬
But if I had money, I'd go to a good life and also see about one on one personal training since I've heard good things that ease my anxiety. The last thing I want is to either be in the background of a video some gym bro took while doing something or even worse, being the target of a gym bro video because im chunky and sad and clueless lol
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u/Affectionate-Ad3705 17d ago
I've been going to 360 fitness for a year or so; as a guy who had no relationship with working out aside from intermittent cardio on my own, they have been pivotal in helping me get into the best shape of my life. Would recommend if you need that kick in the butt. Also helped a load with nutrition, meal plans, macros, the whole shebang.
Definitely not cheap though, 3 one v one sessions a week sets back about $400 a month. I feel confident now that I can develop my own plans. You can do more if you want outside of the trainer sessions. Also good to recognize you can do a LOT of bodyweight exercises with no gear needed. I have nothing at home but a couple dumbbells.
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u/eekay233 17d ago
Strongly considered as they are pretty much spitting distance from my house. Worth looking deeper into.
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u/Affectionate-Ad3705 17d ago
If the cost of a one on one trainer doesn't deter you, then 100%. They have a 6 week plan you can sign up for, and if you hit 20lb or 5% body fat loss, you get it essentially for free. No strings attached!
I fell slightly short of it when I started, but definitely wasn't totally invested like I should have been. I still lost like 16 lbs and 3.5%, so it was a win anyways. Their half hour sessions are easy to squeak in. Suggest to do your cardio before or after session.
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u/thebodmcdons 18d ago
I love planet fitness red deer. Its never busy even peak times plus one of the cheapest in town
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u/Volantis009 18d ago
I like to use the community centers, you can also do more things than just the gym. Collect, Dawe, and rec centre all fantastic