We all have most likely felt the feeling when starting something new, or in this case starting a new fitness journey. It can be very intimidating walking into a gym and seeing all the equipment sitting seemingly looking back at you. Some gyms like Planet Fitness call this “gymtimidation,” a rather good word to use to describe the feeling. Being intimidated or nervous about entering a new gym or just starting to workout is normal. I have decided on these few ways to deal with it. Be cautious that these tools may work for some people and not for others.
When starting to workout, in general, leave the paranoia at the front door. Don’t be nervous! This is a very exciting part in your life, starting to work out and improve overall health is an exciting journey. The journey can be full of ups and downs but in the end no matter the outcome you gave it your all! This is the most important part; don’t be paranoid about seeing results, just work as hard as you can. In my case, I was so determined to working hard that the results were appearing in front of my eyes and I didn’t even notice it. That last point actually brings up my second tool to overcoming “gymtimidation.”
Being focused on your goals is a big part of overcoming the paranoia and intimidation. Be sure to have clear cut goals that you want to reach; make sure they are reasonable and time sensitive. The more you focus on what you personally want to achieve will detour and deter your mind from what people are thinking about you. To be honest, everyone in a gym is focused on their personal goals that most of the time they hardly ever notice those around them. No reason to be worried about what others think, you’re out there to improve yourself and no one else!
Finally, you should just sit back and give yourself credit, it takes a lot to even get up and go to the gym. Credit yourself for even giving it a shot, just by going to the gym you are doing more than some people. At the end of a workout, don’t hesitate to praise yourself; you did a great job and the most you could do to improve yourself.
In conclusion, working out is a personal thing; you are doing it to improve yourself. It really doesn’t matter what others think about you when you’re working out because at the end of the day, you’re the one that has to be happy with yourself not the ones around you. I hope this gave some people the little extra push, find what motivates and never let it go!
