How To Overcome Anxiety In The Gym!
Do you find yourself feeling anxious about using the gym?
Maybe it’s your first time and you’re not sure of where to even begin? Or maybe you feel intimidated by the other members and some of the equipment?
All too often, we hear people mention about how they are uncomfortable, anxious or even scared of going to the gym. So we are taking the opportunity to try and put your minds at ease. We will be listing some of the common reasons and why you shouldn’t let them stop you from reaching your goals!
“I feel embarrassed seeing the difference between myself and other people”
It may well be intimidating seeing people who have a ‘better’ physique than yourself, but the important thing to remember is that we all have to start somewhere. In all likelihood, the people that you are comparing yourself to started in the same place as yourself and have been working towards this for quite some time.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t even know where to start”
It can sometimes be overwhelming for new starters when they don’t know what they should be doing. Take the opportunity to have an induction if you join a gym, ask questions of the trainers that are there and get as much information as you can. Booking sessions with a personal trainer is an excellent way of gaining knowledge. On top of being guided through a supervised session with a qualified professional, you can pick their brains about things that you’re unsure of and you can ask for a programme.
“I feel awkward going in by myself”
If this is the case, you should look at going to the gym with a friend, colleague or family member as this can help to alleviate the anxiety of being by yourself. You can also look at booking some sessions in with a personal trainer as their job is also to try and make you feel comfortable being there.
“Women shouldn’t lift weights / Men shouldn’t do Yoga or Pilates”
This is wrong, there are no two ways about it. Weight lifting and classes like Yoga or Pilates have all been proven to have many benefits regardless of gender. Weight lifting helps to build strength and bone density (warding off various ailments in later life), whereas Yoga and Pilates have also been proven to increase strength but also DRASTICALLY reduce your risk of injuries AND helping to ward off various ailments in later life.
