Sometimes it can be really hard getting into a routine going to the gym if you don’t feel comfortable while you’re there. Exercise can be so good for you both physically and mentally, so here are some tips to become more comfortable and confident in the gym.
Find something you enjoy. Try out several different types of workouts in order to find your favorites. It can be scary trying new things, but remember that everyone is focusing on themselves, and no one is really paying attention to what you are doing. It is really hard to stick to a gym routine if you aren’t having a little bit of fun while exercising. Everyone is going to find something different that works for them, so don’t worry too much about trying to do what someone else is doing, find your own thing!
Curate a workout playlist. It can be really hard to get into a workout if you don’t have good music. Find some of your favorite upbeat songs and put them all into a playlist that you can listen to at the gym. If you are having trouble finding music that you like to workout to, find some inspiration from workout playlists on apps like Spotify and Apple Music. If you enjoy running or walking, try to find playlists that match your speed to the beats per minute in the songs.
Find like-minded people. If you feel uncomfortable in the gym, it can be really helpful to go with others. If you go with someone who feels comfortable in the gym, they can teach you how to use equipment or how to do certain exercises. If you go with someone who is also relatively new to the gym, you can feel more comfortable learning together! Something that I found really helped me was joining the CHAARG chapter on campus. This really helped me learn what workouts I enjoy most and helped me find other people who love to workout too.
Focus on yourself. Sometimes it’s easy to get into the mindset that everyone is looking at you at the gym. It’s important to remember that everyone is there to better themselves in some way, so they’re all worried about themselves, not you. Do your thing without worrying too much about what other people are thinking. Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and you will never become comfortable at the gym if you don’t take that first step and go!