Suzanna Wojnowski Having the motivation or urge to go to the gym is a very exciting feeling, especially if it’s for your first time.
Actually getting yourself to the gym and being comfortable in that environment, however, is not so easy.
Gyms have the stigma of being filled with experienced lifters and perfectly sculpted bodies, which is definitely not true.
This preconceived notion leads many people to be intimidated to workout in a public setting and worry about what they look like when exercising. You may ask yourself, “Am I doing this right?” or “What if I mess up?”.
While these thoughts are normal, it’s super frustrating to have your inner voice ruin the experience.
A common anxiety in the gym is comparing your fitness abilities to others. While it’s almost impossible not to, a good thing to remember is that everyone is at a different level and possesses different goals.
It can actually be beneficial to observe what other people are doing in the gym, as you can learn from just watching. However, it’s important to notice if you have the mindset of comparing or learning.
One will make you feel a lot better about yourself.
If any of the above content seems like something you’ve experienced or are nervous about encountering, I 100% get it because I’ve gone through all of this before.
After some reflecting, I have come up with five tips that should make you feel more habituated in the gym:
- Watching videos on the internet
- Asking friends for advice
- Having a gym buddy
- Making a gym playlist
- Creating a workout routine
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Watching videos on the internet
I would say that more than half of my knowledge regarding exercise comes from the internet. I used to subscribe to fitness YouTubers and get inspiration from there all the time. Now I primarily use Instagram and Tiktok to find ideas for workouts. Without social media, I would not have as nearly as much variety that I do now.
2. Asking friends, family, and peers for advice
I grew up playing sports, so I made a lot of friends who were athletes. Because of that, I have gotten many workout recommendations and as a plus, I can always feel comfortable asking them questions. If your friends/family aren’t too knowledgeable about the subject, the gym community is another great way to receive tips. Don’t be afraid to ask someone around you!
3. Having a gym buddy
Sometimes working out alone makes it difficult to be motivated and also feel confident. I know that when I have a partner with me I feel more driven to exercise because you have someone to hold you accountable.
4. Making a gym playlist
I know everyone usually listens to music in the gym but I think that having a specially curated playlist for working out makes it just a little more enjoyable. When I have to keep skipping songs that are bringing down my energy, it for sure puts a damper on things.
5. Creating a workout routine
Showing up to the gym without a plan isn’t always a bad thing. However, I find it easier to stay on track when I create some sort of agenda. Whether it’s just for one workout, or for a weekly split, it will help when it actually comes to doing it.
At the end of the day, you do you.
Even after getting over the fear of going to the gym, I still like to do at-home workouts. Publicly working out is definitely not for everyone, but in case you wanna give it a whirl, I hope I could PYO. 🙂