Going to the gym can be one of the most anxiety-producing activities. When I first started going to the gym by myself, before I had any formal education in exercise, I remember feeling very nervous, and I was worried that everyone was going to see me make mistakes. I didn’t know how to use any of the equipment, and there was nothing worse than the thought of trying to figure it out in front of a bunch of people I didn’t know, who, in my brain, always knew what they were doing. Thankfully, I was eventually able to move through these feelings. If this sounds familiar, know that you can too.

There are many ways we can help ourselves feel less overwhelmed and intimidated in the gym. One of the best ways to get started is to go with a friend. If your friend is familiar with the gym and with strength training, they will be able to help you. Even if your friend is just as beginner as you are, it’s much easier to try something new when we are not alone. Once my college roommate and I started going to the gym together, the experience became so much more fun. 

Being surrounded by people who care about us and want what’s best for us is a great way to decrease the amount of overwhelming feelings associated with trying something new, like going to the gym. 

Another great way to ease our initial feelings about the gym is to get a tour and a training session from someone who works there. Every gym will give you a tour of the facility when you join, and most of them will give you a complimentary training session to help you feel comfortable and learn how to use some of the equipment. 

You can always ask someone working at the desk to help you, as it’s their job to ensure members are safe and are having a good experience. 

Lastly, don’t be afraid to start off slow. Your workouts don’t need to be long and complicated, especially when you’re working on feeling comfortable in a new environment. Pick one or two pieces of equipment and build your workout off of those. When I first started going to the gym, I loved grabbing a pair of dumbbells and heading to an open area of floor, away from where most of the people were. 

This gave me the opportunity to learn exercises at my own pace, without worrying about feeling like I needed to rush or figure it out faster. 

While there are many tips that can help us not give up on the gym due to our anxious thoughts and feelings, we must recognize that starting anything new will feel uncomfortable for a while. We cannot expect ourselves to be perfect, or have it all figured out right away. 

Decreasing the expectations for ourselves will make it easier for us to stick it out through the tough period in the beginning, and hopefully get to the point where the gym feels like one of our most favorite places to go. 

Allow yourself to feel uncomfortable, as this is how we grow, and remember that although it feels like everyone is watching you, they’re actually spending as much time in their own heads as you are. 

Xoxo

Coach Maggi