7 Tips To Combat Gymtimidation

IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT EVERYONE HAS BEEN IN YOUR SHOES AT ONE POINT. IF YOU ARE FEELING SELF-CONSCIOUS AT THE GYM, HERE ARE 7 TIPS TO HELP BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE.

Have you ever thought to yourself:

Did that girl just look at me because I look like I don’t know what I am doing?
I hope those guys don’t watch me workout.
That girl just whispered to her friend, was it because I am sweating through my clothes too much?
I don’t look like anyone in here… I don’t know if I belong.

Everyone has been there at some point especially when they are starting at a new gym. Our mind can wander and make us believe things that aren’t true and we can let those thoughts get in our way.

DON’T LISTEN TO YOUR SELF-DOUBT

Let me start by saying that others at the gym are not watching you as much as you may think they are! Most likely they are just watching themselves to either perfect their form or they are checking out their muscles (lol). Also, work your hardest to not compare yourself to others in the gym because that is not fair to yourself and you don’t know their story. There are so many different factors that come into play with our bodies and truly everyone’s makeup is different! They are probably 5 years in while you may be just in the beginning.

We are human and can’t just switch how we are in the snap of our fingers, so when our mind wonders down those negative roads, try to bring yourself back as quickly as you can.

7 TIPS TO HELP COMBAT GYMTIMIDATION

Going to the gym can be a scary and intimidating thing when we are either not used to the environment or just not sure what to do and we don’t want to be judged. Here are some tips to help you combat that gymtimidation you may feel.

1.) Have a Plan. This helps eliminate the guesswork of “What Should I Do Next?”. A program will help you as you are just starting out and getting a feel for the layout of the gym, the machines, etc. You will walk in knowing what you have to do and build up that gym room confidence.

2.) Bring a Friend. When most of us first venture into the gym, we don’t go alone. Bring your roommate, mom, dad, friend, grandma, whoever! Having someone there that you trust or that makes you feel comfortable will give you a confidence boost.

3.) Comfortable Clothes. It’s strange to say that clothing can have such a large effect on a workout and confidence, but it does. Put on whatever is comfortable to you, whether that is your favorite baggy t-shirt or a trendy, workout set.

4.) Be Consistent at the Gym. The more you go, the more you will be familiar with your surroundings, where the equipment is, and even the people. Try to go at around the same time every day because you will get to know the others at the gym. The more familiar faces, the less intimidating.

5.) Keep Your Workouts Simple. Although a workout may look cool or fun to do on Instagram, you will want to try to stick with functional workouts. A lot of times those workouts are not necessarily for beginners and sometimes are just for show. This goes with the first tip of having a plan but focus your exercises on the fundamentals to start.

6.) Zone Out & Focus on You. Invest in some earphones and just focus on your form and each exercise you are doing. Don’t think of what everyone is thinking of you or worry if they are watching you because they most likely are not. Just do you.

7.) Go When It Isn’t Busy. There is nothing worse than having every area you want to go to be packed with people. Even worse, is having a set plan and having to scratch the whole thing because the machines are all taken! *cue gym anxiety of what to do next* Try to go during off hours.