Conquering The Gym
The gym is a scary place and often the number one anxiety when it comes to women and working out. There is a lot of big machines, dumbbells, treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, mirrors, kettlebells, free weights, barbells, etc and you don’t know how to use any of it! Let’s not even talk about the fear of people looking at you which is an anxiety in itself.
I get it, I’ve been there and I still have to overcome that anxiety every time I move and have to find a new gym, so you aren’t alone. There are a few things I want you to know to help you overcome this anxiety so you can get the best workout you can and feel confident about what you are doing.
Not all gyms are created equal. Most gyms have the same equipment some more some less, but they all have the basics. So know that if you know what a dumbbell looks like they are going to have it. Next take a tour before you even decided to join any gym. They always have a front desk person who is there to help you and show you around and tell you how that gym is set up. Get a feel for the gym, don’t let the fear of the gym hold you back, see if this is where you want to be and workout. Go at the time you would normally workout, this allows you to see how busy the gym is during that time and also gives you a better feeling of the atmosphere. Make sure you look at all gyms in the area unless one gym just feels “like it’s the one” when you walk in. If you let fear talk, you never know what you are missing out on! So tell fear thank you for being here, but I got this and pick a gym that makes you feel great to walk into.
Once you have selected your gym of choice they will offer you a free personal training session. Every gym does this and I say if you are new to the workout world you take them up on it! When you meet for the first time with your trainer they are going to give you a quick workout and then try to sell you some training packages because that’s their job. However, don’t be afraid to say can you show me how all these pieces of equipment work before you even get started. Being upfront with the trainer that you just have some anxiety about the equipment is totally fin and all trainers are trained to know each and every piece and they can help. Even if you choose not to do that free training session and you walk in and need help with something ask the front desk staff for help. Either a trainer or even manager will come and assist you and show you how to use that piece of equipment, remember the gym wants you to be safe.
So now you have found a gym, learned some equipment, next get over the fear everyone is looking at you. Most people who go to the gym are there each and everyday and they are just noticing a new face and go back to what they are doing. The big scary mirrors, well those are all around so people can check their form and while you think they may be for people staring at you… those people are really checking themselves out in the mirror. You want to know how I know? Because that’s what I do and everyone around me does! While you may think we are looking at you, we are more involved in ourselves than to be looking at anyone else 😂
Start slow, when anxiety gets high, you will naturally try to race through things with bad form. Start slow and maybe go a little lighter weight than you normally would and focus on form. Maybe instead of 30 minutes the first few sessions are 15 minutes and then some slow walking on a treadmill. Remember everyone at the gym has a goal too and everyone starts somewhere! Now I will say that most men will stick to the heavy dumbbells and free weight section which means as a women you are probably gonna be around some big meaty men. If this makes you uncomfortable take the weights to another part of the gym for your workout. Most gyms have a section where they don’t have a lot equipment and they use it for trainers or stretching area or whatever, but you can use it with your weights!
The entire point of this blog is don’t let fear stop you from being a better you! Anxiety is real and I can totally relate and walking into Power House Gym for the first few times when I moved to Michigan almost made me not want to go to a gym ever again. However, I have goals and I want to reach them and I’m not gonna let some fear stop me. I reached outside that comfort zone and went for it. I go to the gym pretty much the same days at the same time and I can tell you everyone there is the same person every time. Sure I see a new face here and there, but now I actually say hi to other fellow lifters and go about my business moving from equipment to equipment. I don’t worry about anyone else, but myself and what I am doing. Get outside of your comfort zone, tell fear it’s not going to keep you from your goals, get a workout program and go own that gym 💪
If you aren’t sure where to start or what exercises you should even be doing to burn fat then join my next round of the 4 week Fat Blast. I give you everything you need, walk you through everything, I have demo videos for each exercise, full length workout videos, at home or gym workouts, all the nutrition and mindset to get your real results that stick! Click HERE for more information
The Journey Is Yours!
Krissy