Often a gym can be viewed as an overwhelming place full of gym-regulars
that all know exactly what they’re doing. An environment where you won’t have a
clue what to do and you’ll stand out like a sore thumb. If that’s the case,
here are a few simple tips that you can try in order to make yourself feel more
confident entering the gym and bettering your life.
Get some professional help
Training with a personal trainer is a great way to gain the necessary
education you need to improve your gym confidence. During your sessions you’ll
learn an array of exercises, how various machines work, how to target specific
areas of the body, the best exercises to help you reach your goals and the
general workings of a gym floor. Having someone guide you through everything
can be a great way to learn firsthand what you should be doing and not, like so
many, waste years training ineffectively. It may be a cost that you assume you
can’t afford but view it as a short-term investment. Train with a personal
trainer for a few months, learn what you need to learn and then make contact
with them again from time to time while training on your own and book a few
additional sessions for more ideas and to check up on your progress.
Dress it down
Just because you’re exercising it doesn’t mean you need to wear tiny
outfits or dress yourself head to toe in lycra. Many of these outfits can be
very unflattering on the wrong figure and make you feel self-conscious before
you even leave the changing room. If you’re unsure what your options are, spend
some time browsing sports sections of shops and fitness magazines for ideas and
inspiration. If you want to avoid the eyes of other gym goers simply wear
something discreet and comfortable that fits you well. If you’ve never bought
gym clothing before try it on in store and move around to make sure that
everything stays covered as it needs to and you can move freely. If you see
someone else in the gym with clothing you like, pay them a compliment and find
out how to get something similar yourself, “Nice top – where’s it from?” –
simple as that.
Turn it up
You can take yourself to a whole new place if you wear headphones when
in the gym. It will not only keep you motivated and upbeat but will keep your
mind focused on the job at hand. It seems a simple idea but, if you’re
conscious of those around you and the gym environment on the whole, headphones
can be a great way to escape it all. Better still, The Tohoku Journal of
Experimental Medicine (2005),also found that listening to music during exercise
not only lifted mood but also helped to improve performance. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/tjem/206/3/206_3_213/_article
Avoid the rush
If you’re worried about being an “outsider” in the gym, try to avoid
peak times. Perhaps you work 9-5.30 and can’t avoid the evening rush? Then try
first thing in the morning. It may mean you’re out of bed a little earlier
which can be hard, but just remember why you’re doing it. By getting up earlier
and training in the morning the gym is likely to be less busy than the evenings
and you can be happy that you’ve completed your exercise for the day before
most people’s day has even started. As you become more confident after a few
weeks you can then train during the evenings and be happy that you too are now
a “gym regular”.
Bring a friend
Training with a friend can be a great way to boost your confidence in
the gym no matter what their level of experience. If you both have little
experience then you can learn and work things out together; if they’re more
experienced than you are then you can get a guiding hand around the gym from a
familiar face. Either way, you’ll no longer be alone on your fitness journey. A
“gym buddy” can also help to keep you motivated away from the gym. Together you
can make sure that you don’t let your eating habits slip too frequently and
that you make each gym session that you have scheduled – a friendly nudge can
be very useful from time to time.
Try group exercise first
The gym is full of weights, equipment and fitness “toys” – all of which
can, if you’ve never used them before, appear very confusing. If it’s a more
active lifestyle you’re looking for then group exercise can be a great inroad.
There’s something for everyone and even classes that will incorporate some
resistance work in them as a hybrid of traditional group exercise and gym work.
You’ll get to build a regular, healthier routine and class times will mean you
start off with an instantly more structured workout schedule. As you become
more familiar with the classes, more confident in your image and want some
variety you can gradually wean yourself into the gym.
Get out of town
For some the fear of bumping into a friend of work colleague while
they’re “not at their best”, covered in sweat, wearing an old gym top and
gasping for air is enough to keep them out of the gym all together. Don’t use
this as an excuse; find a gym a little further away and you can exercise in
confidence that you can remain completely anonymous. If that’s not an option
you can invest in a variety of equipment to allow you to train at home. Things
such as multi gyms, dumbbells, kettlebells, powerbags or a TRX are all very
versatile pieces of equipment that you can use for full body workouts in the
privacy of your own home.
The Truth...
The truth is there are plenty of reasons and excuses to not exercise if
we look for them; being intimidated by the gym is just another excuse. If you
want to change the way you look and feel about yourself then you can’t let it
be the be all and end all. Find a way around it. Those who want to exercise
will find a way. Those who don’t want to exercise will find an excuse. Just
remember, everyone, in every gym had their first day in the gym at some point.
Now look at them – that can be you in a matter of months. Leaner, more
knowledgeable and more confident – stick with it, remain consistent and these
things will come.
