Joining a gym can be scary. You walk in, you see individuals that know what they are doing. They could be the extreme weightlifter or the distance runner running on the treadmill. When you are a beginner, it can be pretty daunting to walk into a space and feel confident in your workout skill. But how do we fight that feeling that we don’t fit in to the gym space at the start?
I just recently joined a gym with my boyfriend and here’s my mindset after a few weeks of adjusting. My boyfriend and I were wanting a change of pace from the at-home workouts and the daily walks with the dog. I wasn’t in the shape I wanted to be, and I was getting frustrated with how I was feeling and how I was just not motivated to do at-home workouts. We both sat down and talked about maybe signing up for a gym was the best move for both of us and that way we were both holding each other accountable in getting in a solid workout and most of all getting our heart rate elevated.
When we first went in, we were both terrified, everyone looked perfect, knew what they were doing and just had that athletic build to them that we obviously didn’t. We got a full tour of the entire facility ranging from a classroom setting for group classes to machines like stationary bikes and treadmills. The beauty of the gym we signed up for is that we have access to it 24/7. We decided for our first time that we would band together and start small by hopping on a stationary bike or treadmill for thirty to forty-five minutes. As we started going more, we discovered what times are less busy, so we felt a little less intimidated by others working out so hard in front of us.
My word of advice, if you’re strongly intimidated by a gym, grab a friend or a significant other to help you feel comfortable. It’s a great way to spend time working on yourself and getting away from the craziness with a good workout. I surprised myself with how good and happy I felt just walking out of the gym after putting in the effort. Start small, if you’re not sure where to go or what to do, usually, our gym during staffed hours always has numerous people walking around willing to help and ask questions. If you want to take it a step further, see a personal trainer to specifically tailor something to your needs. Gyms do not have to be scary places, but they can be that an hour a day to escape your stressors and reduce them the right way through physical activity. Make it a comfortable experience fitted to your needs.