Let’s be real — I’ve never been the most athletic. I can’t run for miles on end, my noodle arms can’t bench much more than the bar and my face turns a lovely shade of red the moment I start working out. I grew up participating in various sports and activities like dance and volleyball, but I always knew I just wasn’t good.
I’ve always been a perfectionist, so being involved in sports was rough for me. I did have a genuine passion for what I was doing, I just constantly criticized myself. When I decided to step into the gym for the first time, I felt like a 14-year-old girl at volleyball tryouts. I started comparing myself and I was a ball of nerves.
Now, I’ve been going to the gym for a couple of years now. Don’t get me wrong, I still get nervous when I go to the gym. Here are a few of my favorite things to do to make the gym more comfortable for me.
- Buy New Gym Outfits
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There is nothing I love more than looking in the mirror at the gym and admiring my outfit. If you find a pair of leggings that look really good on you, buy them in every color. If you look good, you’ll feel good, too! Consider exploring new options, like active skirts. It’s such a fun way to keep your confidence up.
- Treat Yourself
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Going to the gym is hard. Don’t be afraid to treat yourself. Obviously, you shouldn’t follow up every gym session with a milkshake, but it’s okay to enjoy one every once in a while. If you have a specific diet, consider treating yourself to a book you’ve wanted to buy, new clothes or a self-care night!
- Find a Gym with Good Perks
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Before you sign up for a membership, explore your local options. Some gyms have fitness classes, swimming pools, tanning beds and saunas. I went with Planet Fitness. It just makes sense to me. I pay $24.99 a month for access to the gym and unlimited tanning. I was paying about $50 a month for tanning packages at my local salon, so when I found out about Planet Fitness’s Black Card, I was all in. With my Black Card, I am also able to work out at any Planet Fitness worldwide! This comes in handy when I want to work out at home over breaks.
- Bring a Friend
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Another perk with my Black Card — I’m able to bring a friend for free. I’ve never been a huge fan of working out with others, but sometimes it’s nice to have a motivator in the gym. When I first got into the gym, I tagged along with my friends who knew a lot more about working out than me. It can be frustrating but having someone to correct your form and show you the ropes is super helpful in the long run.
- Make various Playlists
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If you’re listening to the same music in the gym, you’re bound to get bored of it quickly. I try to create dynamic playlists to keep things exciting. I also make a different playlist for each day. I love R&B for leg day, pop for cardio and abs and rap for arms. There are also thousands of gym playlists curated just for gymgoers! Apple Music has thousands of different playlists ranging from the early 2000s to country.
- Do Your Research
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Whenever I get sick of my routine, I like to shake it up. Thankfully, there are a lot of fitness girlies on TikTok and they share some pretty cool routines. I love @alliebennett36 on TikTok! She makes treadmill playlists with all your favorite artists — Big Time Rush, One Direction, Taylor Swift and more. Each song has a slightly faster beat than the one prior, so you can adjust your treadmill and strut to the beat. I’ve never felt more powerful and it brings a fun component to my workouts!
Going to the gym can be intimidating and scary. Just know that you deserve to be there! By preparing yourself, you’re more likely to be comfortbale in the gym. Get out there and do your thing!