Everyone has to start somewhere when it comes to working out, and it can be difficult to overcome the fear of the gym. We’ve all been beginners, and we’ve all had these thoughts.
1. “How do you use this machine?”
Some of those machines look like medieval torture devices, not gonna lie, and they look even more intimidating when they’re surrounded by beefy men with biceps the size of your thighs. Of course, you feel weird asking how to use the equipment, so you just…
2. “Play it cool.”
Read the instructions on the side of the machine and pretend like this isn’t your first time going to a recreation facility in several years. If you look like you’re confident, it’ll bleed over on to the outside. Besides, most people are too busy worrying about their reps to even notice you struggling to adjust the seat on the leg press, right?
3. “Which treadmill is furthest from plain sight?”
You really, really hate people watching you run (even though nobody’s watching, I promise), so you choose the treadmill in the back corner. Unfortunately, you’re not the only insecure gym-goer, so that precious treadmill is almost always taken. You’re forced to face your fears and choose another one.
4. “I hope I don’t look too exhausted.”
Sweat is dripping down your face and you’re only five minutes into your jog. Next, to you, the gorgeous, fit gym girl is sprinting at a high incline with no apparent effort being expended. Of course, she doesn’t care how fast or slow you’re going, but you feel obligated to speed up a little bit and wipe some of that sweat off your face.
5. “Wow, everyone is beautiful here.”
While you’re struggling on the treadmill trying to take your mind off the fact that you’re on a glorified hamster wheel, you can’t help but notice all the gorgeous individuals surrounding you (and feel a tiny bit bad about yourself). Look at those rippling, glistening muscles, man.
6. “If I don’t have a six pack after this workout, I’m not really sure why I came.”
Oh, the unrealistic expectations. You know you won’t walk out of UREC sporting your dream body, but you can’t help wishing you could. It’s going to take a lot more than one workout to look like the gym rat you are.
“What am I going to eat when I’m finished?”
Everyone has thought this. Do you choose a protein-packed salad to continue your healthy lifestyle, or do you dig into the curly fries because “you earned it?” (Big hint: food isn’t something you earn.) Half your workout is probably spent daydreaming about that acai smoothie that’s calling your name in the kitchens of Freshens just below you.
7. “I’m glad I got the courage to work out here.”
Always be proud of yourself. Working out is hard enough, but it’s even harder when you feel like you’re a newbie surrounded by pros. You’re doing amazing, sweetie. Keep on doing your thing, and pretty soon you’ll feel like you’ve been doing this forever.