How to Cure Your Gym Anxiety
Are you suffering from gym-timidation? You’re not alone. Going to the gym can be intimidating for a variety of reasons. You may feel that you don’t know the proper exercises, like everyone is staring at you or completely out of place. While your feelings are valid, don’t feel discouraged. Here at The Edge, we can help you work through your gym anxiety to feel and look your best.
A common misconception when working out is that any gym will suffice. This is not true. Different types of gyms have different types of environments and it is completely normal to try out a few different memberships before committing to a destination. Do your research. There are so many different types of gyms and studios. Experiment with group fitness classes and personal training because you never know what may work for you and your body. Many gyms offer free first-month memberships which is a perfect way for you to see if it is the right fit for you before spending any money. And, if you find yourself loving a variety of types of fitness styles, consider signing up for ClassPass or GymPass, which is a subscription service that allows you to drop into the different gyms and studios when you please. Trust the process because it takes time to feel comfortable in your routine.
Something that many women struggle with at the gym is feeling judged or looked down upon by others. It can be scary when you feel like you’re being watched by others, but in reality, it’s mostly in your head. Put on a cute workout set, be confident and embrace your workout. If you’re still feeling uneasy try out the “shy girl workout” that is trending on social media. Grab some weights and a yoga mat and find an isolated space where you feel comfortable working out.
If you’re feeling nervous to go to the gym or unsure of what exercises to do, bring a friend with you. It feels a lot more comfortable to navigate uncharted territory when you have a friend for support who is probably feeling the same way. You can both help each other with proper form and motivate each other to keep pushing. Another fun activity to do with a gym friend is playing a YouTube or TikTok workout to follow along with. Grab a friend and try it out!
We all compare ourselves to other people; it’s human nature. With that being said, when working out try to avoid this. Everyone is at different levels and it's okay to not lift as much weight as the woman working out across from you. Take things at your own pace and remember that if you keep working at it, you’ll get there eventually.
Ultimately, you are the only thing standing between you and your fitness goals. Don’t let the gym-timidation get the best of you. Stay strong. We promise it will be worth it!