While I have dabbled in some sports like swimming and skiing and have played on some miscellaneous intramural teams, I was never known as the ‘athletic person’ in school, nor did I follow a regular workout routine going into university. With the chaotic schedule that university brings, maintaining a regular workout routine felt like an unattainable goal.
However, as of recently, I have become a regular gym attendee. That does not necessarily mean that I make it to the gym 6-7 days a week (though I commend those who can do that), but I would like to think that I regularly put in the effort and have gotten to a place where I have found my groove and finally feel comfortable in the gym.
When first stepping into the ARC, I will admit that I stuck to one small section of the building because I felt intimidated by the complicated-looking machines and people who seemed to know what they were doing. It took the help of one of my friends for me to start exploring the remainder of the facility, and once I got to this point, I understood the meaning of the simple (yet genius) saying “no one cares.” Simply put, everyone is too focused on their own workouts and too clouded with their thoughts to be focusing on what you are up to. Whether you’re stepping into the gym for the 3rd time or the 300th time, you ideally have some sort of goal in mind that you can focus on. Goals can range from wanting to build muscle, to wanting to improve your endurance, to simply wanting to become healthier (all of which are valid). All this is to say that if you are spending your time comparing your progress to others, working out is not going to become a fulfilling pastime for you.
For those who still can’t help but feel anxious in the gym, or for those who want to enhance their gym experiences, here are a few steps you can take to make the most out of your workout.
1. Make a few playlists
It’s common practice to have one long workout playlist. Despite this,and coming from an avid playlist maker, I find that I have more to look forward to when I specialize my playlist to my workout. For instance, I have a running playlist and a weights playlist. It’s a small change, but I feel like this practice prevents me from growing too tired of certain songs.
2. Try One Thing From Each Area
If you choose to go to an area that intimidates you, just know that you aren’t obligated to stay there for the full duration of your workout. Preferably, after observing someone else using a machine or doing an exercise, you can just try to see what aspects of someone else’s workout you wish to incorporate into yours. This is a simple way to diversify your workout and ease your gym anxiety.
3. Learn From Your Friends
Social media can be a great place to look for airtight workout routines. However, exploring the breadth of fitness content out there can be an overwhelming experience that is riddled with misinformation, clashing pieces of information, and discussions of diet culture that can potentially be harmful. Therefore, I find it easier to calm the noise by asking my fellow gymgoers what they like to do and trying aspects of their routines. This way, you have more leeway to ask questions and find something more personalized to you. Social media content can still be used as supplementary information, but it does not need to inform all parts of your workout.
Again, I am no fitness expert, but I know what it feels like to be intimidated by the gym and I know that this feeling is not a unique experience. So, I hope that my experience and bits of wisdom got through to you and made you feel more supported.