3 Tips for Overcoming Gym Anxiety

The way people feel about the gym is so versatile; some people call it their home while others are repulsed even thinking about it. I happen to fall somewhere in the middle. I do enjoy exercising, but the anxiety I’ve felt at the gym makes exercising so overwhelming. 

People say showing up is the hardest part, which I agree with, but the whole concept is just tricky for me. I walk around with an anxious feeling that everyone is judging me. When I take a step back and think about it, I know no one cares, but separating my head’s rational vs irrational thoughts feels so difficult. My gym anxiety has been a consistent struggle for me over the years, but I’ve used some of these tools below to help alleviate my anxiety and they have been effective thus far.

Finding “SHY GIRL” WORKOUTS

A big factor in helping me overcome my gym anxiety was finding exercises I could do in one area of the gym. The thought of walking from machine to machine is scary because I felt like I was being watched. By staying in one section of the gym, I have eliminated that portion of my anxiety.

What has been a huge lifesaver is looking up “Shy Girl Workouts” on TikTok or Youtube. There are so many videos with great workouts that allow you to stay in one section of the gym. Seeing how popular these videos are also eased my anxiety to know I’m not alone in my fears of working out in a gym. It’s comforting to know other people feel the same way I do. 

Listening to Podcasts

Whenever I listen to podcasts, I feel entirely emersed in the topic at hand. I’ve realized saving my podcasts for my gym days (instead of car rides) has allowed me to separate myself from being so hyperfocused on what everyone else might be thinking of me. 

I am so deep in my podcast world that I don’t even have the time to worry about others. I suggest putting on a podcast and doing your hot girl walk, which is definitely a game-changer — no fear of judgment, just you and some exercise.

Going With a Friend

Taking a friend to the gym has helped me feel more comfortable in the exercise space. Having someone with me the entire time makes me feel a lot more at ease while walking around. It’s honestly just a form of distraction because I now have an actual person with me. I’m so entertained I don’t even have time to think about someone judging me. Also, having a friend makes the gym a lot more fun; at least if you feel like you’re going to literally pass out, you have someone with you. Suffering together is better than suffering alone.

I think the gym will always cause some sort of anxiety for me; that’s just who I am. But, these three tips have made the idea of showing up to the gym not as impossible. We should all be working to make the gym feel like a less judgemental place. By following these tips, I have been able to alleviate the sense of being judged; I’m probably still being judged by some dude because my form is awful, but at least I’m showing up for myself, and that’s what the gym is about at the end of the day.