6 Ways To Overcome Gym Intimidation
If you have never been to a gym to work out, the mere idea to go there and being exposed to the stares and judgment of other people can be paralyzing. It’s normal that you feel this way. In this article, I will help you cope with your emotions and you will be able to overcome your fears. Going to the gym and working out will feel natural, and a well-established part of your daily routine. Eventually, the gym will become your second home.
Here Be Dragons
In the Middle Ages, cartographers drew dragons over uncharted areas with the comment: Here Be Dragons. They had no information about what was in these places, but the unknown itself was so terrifying to them that they felt the need to scare away potential adventurers.
We all fear the unknown; it’s natural. The gym is no different. If you have never been to one, you don’t know what to expect. There must be machines and weights. The people working out there are huge, arrogant bodybuilders, and they surely will make fun of the newbies if they don’t train perfectly.
Do you feel this way? The good news is that this image in your head is just a dragon, a projection of the fear we all experience before considering doing something we have never done before.
Now that we know what we are dealing with, we can use this knowledge to our advantage. You are well aware that going to the gym is beneficial for your health and well-being. On the other hand, your fear of the unknown is keeping you away. Read on and find out how to bridge this gap with some easily actionable tricks.
Window Shopping
First, go to the gym only to check it out. Don’t go there to sign up or participate in anything. Your only goal here is to take in as much information as you can. You might want to take notes as you check things out. Questions you want to get answers to are:
- What are the opening hours? How does it fit your daily schedule?
- How close is the gym to your home or your workplace? Can you walk or take your bike to get there? Is it accessible by public transport?
- What is the overall atmosphere of the gym? Is it bright, spacious, and welcoming?
- What kinds of people visit this gym? What age are they? Is everyone in good shape? How advanced do you think they are? Is the gym crowded? If yes, find out what parts of the day are less crowded.
- Ask the staff to show you around. Are they friendly, attentive, and eager to help? Ask them if they will show you how to perform the exercises if you become a member. Is a personalized workout plan included in the membership? How much does a personal trainer cost, and in what ways could a trainer help you?
- How well equipped is the gym? What types of training machines are there? How old or worn do these appear? Are there any free weights (dumbbells and barbells)? Are there stretching and cardio areas? What other services does the gym offer? Do you need those?
- What is the pricing structure? How much does the membership cost monthly and yearly? Do they offer a free trial period? Is it easy to cancel?
When you get back home, evaluate your answers. There is a good chance that your first experience in the gym was much less frightening than you initially thought. Probably the people in the gym seemed to be more approachable and less judgmental.
You Have Options
Chances are that you can choose from more than one gym in your area. If your first gym experience didn’t convince you that you, too, could start working out and feel confident about yourself, definitely read on.
Repeat the visit to another gym. Every gym is different and it’s worth exploring the best fit for you. Different kinds of people tend to prefer certain gyms. There are gyms for hardcore bodybuilders, seniors, women, for LGBTQ people, just to name a few. Visit as many as you can in your neighborhood and choose the one you feel most comfortable in.
Team Up
You should know from scary movies that the most frightening moments are when someone wanders around alone. Have a friend with you and visit the gyms together. You will feel more confident with the additional support, have some friend time together, and you might even end up joining one of the gyms together.
My Friend Who Lifts
Does one of your friends work out regularly? What better way to get introduced to the gym than asking a friend to take you to their next workout? They can introduce you to the staff, and their training buddies and give you a tour of the gym.
A Question of Time
When you eventually sign up and become a member of a gym, it helps minimize your initial anxiety if you plan your workouts around times when the gym is less crowded. Typically, mornings and weekends are good options with fewer people around.
Have a Trainer
It also helps to hire a personal trainer who can guide you, give you tips and feedback, and make hold you accountable. Your trainer can be on-site or online, like me.
Conclusion
I hope that by now you feel confident enough to make the first move and take action. Do it for yourself. Weight training will make you feel stronger, healthier, more confident, and it’s a wonderful way to make new friends. Keep it up.
