I know the feeling. You’ve just got your first gym membership and you are dreading the idea of working out in front of everyone else. Having them watch you whilst you try and push yourself, when really you can only last about five minutes on a treadmill. Your fitness levels are that bad. Having to walk around the gym area looking all red faced and puffed out, your new gym kit has also got sweat dripping down it. Trust me, I’ve certainly been there before.
When I first signed up to the gym I was exactly the same. I was so shy and self conscious about what everyone else was doing that I didn’t really enjoy going to the gym. It felt like a bit of a chore. For some people that’s exactly how it feels now, perhaps, though, for different reasons.
No matter how many times people tell you about just throwing yourself out there and getting involved, doing things that you are comfortable with, sometimes it will just go in one ear and out the other.
Think about it this way though, you joined the gym to better yourself, to reach the goals that you have set for yourself. So does it really matter what other people think whilst your in the gym? There are probably a lot of people working out there with you who have joined for exactly the same reason, possibly with the same worries.
It took me a while to believe just that, and once I did I started enjoying my gym sessions more and more. I found that it was a way for me to just zone out of whatever had gone on during that day and just focus on me. I always find when I’m stressed out, or when I’ve had a bad day at work. a quick workout is perfect because you can put everything into your workout and feel amazing afterwards.
Here are a few of the worries I had at the gym when I first out, and what lessons I learnt from them:
1) Feeling like every single person in the gym had their eyes fixed at me and was just waiting for me to mess up using one of the machines.
Lesson learnt: Most people at the gym go there for the exact same reason as you. They come to workout and reach their goals. A lot of the time people keep themselves to themselves and just do their own thing. Just stick your headphones in your ears, blast out some music and zone out. If you don’t know how to use a particular machine, there are trainers or other gym members always willing to help.
Spend some time using a different piece of equipment each time you are at the gym; there’s usually instructions on each machine as to how to use them too.
2) Sweating like a pig and people seeing me at my worst.
Lesson learnt: There is nothing worse than going to the gym with a full face of makeup on. If you’re working out, like it or not, it’s only natural to sweat. No-one is going to judge you. At the end of the day, it’s just proof of how much effort you are putting into your workout 🙂
3) Doing any sort of strength training.
Lesson learnt: This was me being completely naive. To me, strength training meant having muscles and being a bulky female. You know, the types you see on bodybuilding magazines. Gosh, was I wrong. After doing some research, I found that strength training actually helps to build up those core muscles, tone and aid with weight loss.
I was also afraid of going into the weights area, purely because of the bulked up guys that were there, making it look easy but terrifying at the same time.
I overcame this by making sure I went to the gym when it was quiet, and just getting familiar with the different types of machines and areas targeted. Once I built up my confidence, I was and am able to use the weights area even during peak times.
I hope that has helped somewhat, if you are a first time gym goer, or are not as confident. I’d love to hear your tips too!
Good things come to those who sweat <3
