Anxiety at the gym

All the time. I don't go to gyms, but any time I exercise I have some anxiety. For me, it usually doesn't occur until I slow down / stop and I start relaxing. That's when I notice the changes in heart rate, breathing, etc, and it makes me anxious. And that's one way I remind myself it's just anxiety, because I feel great *during* the exercise.

Many find physical exercise, such as working out at the gym, as something that calms them down if they have anxiety issues.

But for others, physical exercise makes their anxieties worse.

It's just another example that, when it comes to coping with anxiety, everyone is different.

It used to bother me as well. I always enjoyed my workouts at home though. I didn’t like people before this virus... so I’m in a win win situation!

When I exercise, such as going out for a run around my neighborhood, my problem isn't with anxiety. Instead, my problem is that I start huffing and puffing. I'm not in the best physical shape.

Joe diesel 09 said:

Here lately Ive been having anxiety at the gym. Sometimes when my heart beats fast and hard, it sets off my anxiety. I know what's causing it, for Christ's sake I'm at a gym! But sometimes I can't shut it off. And it ruins my workout. Anybody else do this? I can take 1/2 mg of xanax about an hr before gym time and my workout goes smooth as silk.

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It was at a gym that I had the major anxiety attack that triggered a series of subsequent attacks and led to my GAD diagnosis. After having some tests done that confirmed nothing was wrong with me physically, I took a week off and then went again several times. Although I took it easy, I still felt some anxiety creeping up. I think the first major attack traumatized me. Writing this makes me realize that it wasn't so much the GAD I needed to manage when going back, but the trauma. I work out at home or at my apartment's fitness center without any issues. I loved going to that gym, though, and want to start going again. I'll read up on trauma, talk to my psychologist about it, and try a xanax next time I go to that gym.

Joe diesel 09 said:

Here lately Ive been having anxiety at the gym. Sometimes when my heart beats fast and hard, it sets off my anxiety. I know what's causing it, for Christ's sake I'm at a gym! But sometimes I can't shut it off. And it ruins my workout. Anybody else do this? I can take 1/2 mg of xanax about an hr before gym time and my workout goes smooth as silk.

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I get this problem myself! I think the best thing to do is to avoid feeling your pulse or feeling your heart during exercise. Because if you do that it'll just make you feel anxiety. If your heart is strong enough for exercise then you shouldn't have to worry the heart loves to exercise and exercise is great for the heart.