A good way to avoid gym phobia is to join a weightlifting club. That's not a gym. Here, you learn a new sports skill, which is practiced according to the Olympic weightlifting style. When you keep interacting with the coach, you will gain confidence, exercise muscles, learn discipline and self-reliance, and become very athletic. Soon, you will learn the baby's footsteps and build more confidence.
A weightlifting club is nothing like a gym. In the weightlifting club, you will see barbell weightlifting equipment, some platforms and some coaches working with freshmen. You may see weightlifters training on a platform. He may be a well-trained weightlifter, ready to participate in the upcoming local, state or national championships.
Next to him, you may see a new weightlifter/coach who is much smaller. He studied the basic movements with the coach and practiced with PVC pipes to acquire the necessary skills.
Move to the next platform, and you may see a 12-year-old boy or girl wearing complete weightlifting equipment and maintaining the same skills as the coach. In my opinion, the average pressure on the bodybuilding field is no longer the source of fear and intimidation. You won't see many fancy fitness clothes, which is another source to eliminate stress and fear. The usual fear factor is no longer a consideration.
Compared with public gymnasiums, there is another advantage. You will learn a meaningful sports skill that you can't find in a high-end gym. In the weightlifting club, all members start at the same level. While building a strong character with enough self-confidence, you will succeed and gain a physical quality. If you plan to buy a high-end fitness club member in the future, you will be full of confidence and sports skills.