Starting a fitness journey is an exciting step towards a healthier lifestyle and a way to show yourself the self-love you deserve. However, gym anxiety can be a major obstacle that prevents many from fully embracing the experience. If you ever felt nervous working out in a gym, you’re definity not alone.
Gym anxiety is defined as the nervousness or intimidation people feel when working out. This can occur when it’s your first time in a gym or you haven’t exercised in a long time. It often stems from fear of judgment, unfamiliarity with the machines and exercises, self-consciousness, or comparing yourself to others. These feelings can be overwhelming, but they should never stop you from pursuing your fitness goals.
You can overcome gym anxiety with the right mindset and approach. You can find comfort in listening to music—it may give you a sense of ease and confidence. So just put on your headphones and tune into your favorite playlist. You just blast music in your headphones and focus only on your workout. Once you start that first set, everything else fades, and it’s just you, the music, and the movement.
Another way that I find very beneficial is familiarizing yourself with gym equipment beforehand. Looking up how machines work and understanding their purpose can eliminate the fear of not knowing what to do. Before you join a gym, make sure to take a tour and research the available machines to make your first workout session is smooth and less intimidating.
Having a workout partner can really help ease your gym anxiety, especially if you are a people’s person. Exercising with your bestie or your partner will encourage you and makes your experience more enjoyable. However for those of you who prefer more professional guidance, hiring a personal trainer can be a great option. Trainers not only teach proper exercise techniques but you can also find a friend in them. You get to workout correctly while chit chatting and having fun. This will make the gym feel less like something that you have to do and more like something that you like and look forward to doing.
Gym anxiety is a common experience, but it shouldn’t stand in the way of your personal growth. Remember that everyone starts somewhere and the people you look up too were once in your shoes but that didn’t stop them and it shouldn’t stop you. Take the decision and start shaping your life now.