Walking into any gym can be intimidating, especially if you have no clue what you are doing. Over the years, I have gotten over my fear of the gym by learned what style workout I like best. Whether it’s, you’re first time going to the gym, or you get nervous everytime you step foot in a workout facility… I got you covered.
Watch Other People
When I first began going to the gym, I had ZERO CLUE what to do. I didn’t know if I should be doing cardio, using the weights, or what the heck each machine did. However, what I did do was get on a machine that I did know and knew how to use… which was the treadmill, LOL. I watched other people and what they were doing and how they were using the machines. OK, I know it sounds a little creepy, but I had to figure it out somehow. I do not advice copying peoples workouts in the gym, because you might hurt yourself if you don’t know what you are doing. However, watch and get an idea is what I am suggesting here. After my creepy watching phase, I moved onto watching youtube videos.
Workout Videos (aka Youtube )
To this day, I still get inspiration for my workouts from YouTube/Instagram videos. When I am feeling super lazy and unmotivated, I will resort to a full workout video. Back in the day (as in like four years ago, LOL) I would watch them while on the stair master or elliptical 1. Get me in the mood to workout, and 2. Give me much needed inspiration. I recommend finding a style of workout you enjoy on a youtube channel or someone on Instagram. For example, I don’t love weight lifting and how it changes my physic so I wouldn’t get inspiration from those workout videos and avoid. However, I love pilate style and body weight exercises, so those are the type of workouts I look towards. Workout videos are amazing if you need guidance or inspiration for your workouts. I also recommend planning out you’re workouts and write it down before that way when you get there you know exactly what you are going to do! You can watch the videos ahead of time and then write down the workout. I write down my workouts in the notes app on my phone and leave it open while I am doing my workout to look at for reference.
Get Out Of Your Head!
Gym fear is your inner thoughts psyching you out. If you can learn to push those thoughts aside and build confidence in the gym, you are golden. It isn’t easy, and everyone will accomplish this at different paces. What helped me overcome my fear of the gym was building a workout routine. I felt like I didn’t belong, and people would recognize I was new and blah blah I was essentially making up excuses. The brutal truth is no one else at the gym is worried about you. Put in your earphones, and DO YOUR THING!
Don’t View The Gym As Negative Place
If you view the gym as negative space, and something you dread, you are never going to get over your fear of going, and won’t achieve your goals. You need to switch that mindset and think about why you LOVE going to the gym. I look forward to going to the gym, I mean sometimes yes I do dread the actual workout. However, I have gotten to a point where I love the mental benefits of working out. I feel more productive, happier, and overall better after I have worked out. Knowing I am going to feel that way after my workout is what helped me begin to view the gym as a positive place. Maybe it’s something small such as every time you do cardio you watch a Y
Go With Someone
My #1 tip when people tell me they are scared to go to the gym is going with someone! Even if that means walking in together and then you go do your own workout. Go with someone, so you aren’t walking through the doors alone, you will feel more confident! After a time you will start to feel more comfortable and less afraid to go by yourself. Also, workout buddies are the best for motivation. You can hold each other accountable to go and even workout together. Make working out fun, and you will WANT to go to the gym.
Find The Style Of Workout That YOU Like
When I first began working out I was all over the place at the gym, which is okay you have to start somewhere and don’t be afraid to be that person (everyone was do the same thing at some point LOL). Figure out what kind of workout you enjoy, whether it be running, bar, yoga, weight lifted, or cross-fit, and you will start to enjoy your workouts! Once I found my style and created a workout routine I loved, I stopped viewing the gym as an intimidating place.
I hope these tips help you overcome you’re fear of the gym and you build up you’re confidence to conquer your goals.