Sharing some tips on How To Be Confident In A Gym
Joining a gym for the first time can be intimidating. You might feel like you’re out of place or embarrassed to work out in front of others. Don’t be! Many gyms are welcoming of newcomers and those who are already working out there will be too busy focused on their workout to look at you. Much of your worry is in your head. Here’s how to gain confidence in the gym:
Use a personal trainer. If you truly feel you don’t know where to start, hire a personal trainer. Many gyms offer 1-2 sessions for free when you first sign up. The trainer will show you how to create a workout plan for your goals, and also how to use the equipment in your gym. Even if you don’t sign up for a trainer, don’t be afraid to ask them questions. They’ll gladly help you and show you how to use something or give you tips on your form.
Sign up with a friend. Working out with a friend might make you feel less intimidated at the gym since you’ll have someone there with you. Also, if you can get a friend who is more experienced, they can help lead you through workouts and show you how to incorporate different pieces of equipment into your workout.
Go to fitness classes. If your gym offers classes, start going to those to get a feel for your gym’s atmosphere. Experiment with different classes to find which ones are good for you. You’ll also meet new people who have the same goals as you. Many fitness classes have regulars, and they’re always welcoming to new people!
Play music. Feeling subconscious? Make a killer playlist that really pumps you up and listen to that while you workout. Hit the weights while listening to your new playlist and you won’t even notice your surroundings. You can also find other people’s playlists on apps like Spotify.
Practice exercises at home first. Before you go to the gym with your new workout plan, practice each exercise at home first, either with light dumbbells or imaginary ones. That way, once you get to the gym, you’ll know exactly what to do and how to do it.
Plan out your workout. In order to avoid walking around the gym aimlessly, plan out your workout ahead of time. If you know you want to do a cardio and weights workout, you can bring over dumbbells to the treadmill to do so. If you know the cable machines are far from the squat rack, you can do squats and other exercises first before going to the cable machines. Use websites like BodyBuilding.com to find a workout plan that is right for you.
Wear the right clothing. This might seem obvious, but many people don’t wear the right clothes for working out. Make sure you’re wearing dri-fit or sweat wicking material in order to stay dry (as opposed to cotton). Also, choose clothing that boosts your confidence and makes you feel good. There’s nothing wrong with splurging a little on fitness apparel!
Learn gym etiquette before you go. While gym members are welcoming of new people just starting their fitness journey, that may change if you don’t have the proper etiquette. Remember to always wipe down your equipment after use. If there is a line for cardio equipment, only stay on for 20-30 minutes. Lastly, always put whatever you use back where it belongs. Here’s a great list of 10 things not to do at the gym.
The MOST IMPORTANT thing to remember is DON’T be worried about what others will think when you’re at the gym. Just get in there, do your workout, and get out. As I mentioned above, most are focused on their own workout. Once you start going more often, your confidence will increase and you’ll feel much more comfortable. Utilizing a gym, as opposed to working out home, gives you so many more options when it comes to building your routines. You can use their dumbbells, barbells, TRX ropes, battle ropes and more. I love exercising both at home and in a gym for many different reasons. Do you go to a gym or workout at home? Best of luck to you!
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