You’ve probably seen hundreds of videos on your TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and other social media apps about being that gym girl. It’s one thing to see these videos and think “I can totally be that girl” to the reality check of… yeah, you guessed it… actually being her. Over my years of working out, I’ve learned that being that gym girl depends on YOU and your goals. There are some girls who want to lose weight, some who want to gain muscle, some who want to increase their aerobic system and some who want all of these things and more at the same time. The truth is that any girl can be that girl with that beautiful and powerful thing called confidence.
Here’s everything that helped me develop my confidence to the point where I truly became that gym girl:
1. realistic bodies
Every girl’s body is different and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Knowing your body type can be extremely helpful when it comes to your fitness goals. When I first started my fitness journey, I found myself trying to become something that was unrealistic for my body type. I was craving instant results which led to me comparing myself to every single girl I saw online while knowing that most of these images are FAKE. In a stereotypical society, it’s all about the “perfect” girl, but the perfect girl doesn’t exist — the perfect girl is made up of editing apps, surgical procedures, posing and lighting. However, women have had enough and are finally accepting and displaying themselves for the way they were made. Yes, I’m talking cellulite, fat rolls, dimples, etc.
The moment I began to follow empowering women who were not afraid to show themselves is when a switch flipped in my mind. I went from constantly comparing myself to realizing everyone is on their own journey. Your confidence will skyrocket once you shut off self-judgment and start showing yourself love.
2. gym sets
Nothing empowers me more to work out than a cute gym set. There is just something about a gym set that makes you look like you have it all together even if you secretly don’t. The best part is that you don’t always have to spend a fat check on a cute, comfy and (most importantly) squat-proof set. Some of my favorite companies are Amazon, SHEIN, Gymshark, Darc Sport, NVGTN and Alphalete.
3. EQUIPMENT / NECESSITIES
Gym equipment necessities vary based on your fitness goals. Having particular equipment can make your aspirations easier to attain. I personally do a lot of weight training, so the equipment I use is focused on those specific movements and aims. Whenever I see a girl with her own gym essentials stuffed into her gym bag, I know she means business.
4. HEADPHONES
I’m sorry, but if you aren’t listening to music while you work out, I’m going to assume two things:
- You genuinely forgot them at home
- You are a psychopath
I believe the key to being that gym girl is having a pair of headphones that can blast music at full volume as you’re trying not to cry while finishing your set… I mean, that’s just me. Once again, they do not have to be expensive. I own a pair of Apple AirPods and my friends own over-ear headphones from Beats and Amazon. The point is they all get the job done and you get to better yourself physically while also bettering yourself mentally with your favorite songs.
5. supplements
Why people take supplements depends on their goals. I use supplements to improve my strength or endurance, improve my exercise efficiency, achieve my performance goals more quickly and increase my tolerance for more intense workouts. I’ve noticed over the years that I feel best when I stay in a constant routine of taking supplements.
In the morning I like to take Bloom Nutrition Green Superfood on an empty stomach to kick-start my day and decrease bloating with over 30 fruits and vegetables. If I am feeling tired before the gym, I will drink a Celsius or Alani Nu which will usually get me going without the insane jitters I find pre-workout powders give me. After my workout, I will have my favorite Orgain protein powder mixed with a scoop of Creatine Monohydrate. But most importantly, I drink a TON OF WATER!
6. the right kind of shoe
The it girl at the gym knows what shoes to wear depending on the muscle group she is hitting that day. Wearing the proper shoes protects you from common injuries and keeps you looking stylish and secure.
There are two types of gym girl shoes:
- Sneakers are best for your cardio days at the gym. They provide support for running and high-impact forces.
- Training shoes support a variety of movements, from lateral plyometrics to squats on the spot to changes in direction quickly. They’re great for stability and flexibility.
7. split workout schedule
The worst feeling ever is going to the gym and having no idea what workout to do, what machines to use or what muscle to hit. I used to be that girl that would walk into the gym without a set plan and literally walk out because I got overwhelmed and insecure. The confidence boost I got when I was able to walk into the gym knowing exactly what I was going to do was empowering. It made me go from dreading the gym to being excited and motivated.
While your split will vary depending on your goals, keeping track of your rest periods and which muscle groups you’re working is extremely beneficial.
When I first started my workout schedule, my split looked like this:
- Day 1: push — chest, shoulders, triceps
- Day 2: pull — back, biceps, forearms
- Day 3: legs — quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves
- Day 4: push — chest, shoulders, triceps
- Day 5: pull — back, biceps, forearms
- Day 6: legs — quads, glutes, hamstrings, calves
- Day 7: rest
After some time, I switched to this based on the goals I was trying to achieve:
- Day 1: legs (quad-dominant)
- Day 2: biceps, back, abs
- Day 3: legs (hamstring-dominant)
- Day 4: arms, triceps, abs
- Day 5: legs (glute-dominant)
- Day 6: full body/cardio
- Day 7: rest
These are just two examples of hundreds of workout split schedules that have helped me in feeling organized and consistent, which ultimately makes me feel like that gym baddie.
Being that gym girl is really just being yourself but more structured, organized and CONFIDENT. When you realize that everyone is too focused on themselves to care about your “insecurities,” you gain a whole new perspective. You’re able to enter a gym completely focused on your personal growth and look good as h*ll while doing it.
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