i don't think anyone will look at you & be thinking negative things. i go to a local gym that isn't part of a franchise & i love the atmosphere. it's still a mixed gym but it's all ages & mix of fitness levels. they run quite a few classes for seniors & they have so much fun & they're all very friendly too.

i went after friends joined & liked it & i went in & chatted to the trainers & only joined once i was confident that it was the right gym for me. it's small & most of the trainers know your name, even if you haven't been to their class or done a PT session with them.

we only have child minding a couple of times a week that runs in conjunction with a class aimed at mum's or pregnant women. but you can ask for child minding at different times, it just costs a little more. i am very happy with the childminding - it's the wife of the owner who is also a kinder teacher (who just does relief work now as she has twin 6 year old boys!). she has lots of activities for them & does a snack time etc.

most of the people just working out (as opposed to doing a class) are solely focussed on their own workout & despite me being very nervous about people wondering what i was doing in a gym, have barely glanced my way!

i say go for it! visit a few if you can & see what you think of the vibe you get. and check out the different packages/fees - i pay by direct debit each fortnight & can go to any class they run & workout whenever i want, there's also no minimum contract time. good luck!