Six Ways to Overcome “Gym Fear” – the Fear of Going to the Gym

Whether you’re novel to the gym or returning after a long break, it can be a scary place to be. There’s even a term to describe the feeling nervousness or anxiety that many people feel when they think about going to the gym: “fear of the gym.”

One study found that as many as half of Americans experienced ‘gym bullying’, while another UK study found one in four women reported feeling it.

There are several reasons why people may feel anxious about going to the gym, including: fear of judgment by other people who feel they are unable to perform certain exercises correctly, and to be uncertain about how they compare to other people who go to the gym.

But in fact, one of the main reasons people may experience “gymtimidation” is that many perceive the gym as an unfamiliar or scary place. This is mainly because they may feel insecure about what they may encounter there, or because they may not know what they are doing there.

But just because you’re facing a novel situation doesn’t mean you can’t do some basic things to overcome your intimidation — and most of it comes down to finding a way to remove that uncertainty.

Removing uncertainty

People tend to like predictability – to the point that uncertainty is associated with emotions such as fear and anxiety. But if we learn to minimize the feeling of uncertainty and force ourselves to encounter uncertain environments more often we can deal with them better.

Another reason why people may feel uneasy about going to the gym for the first time is their low self-efficacy. Self-Effectiveness is our belief in our own skills and abilities and whether we believe we have the strength to succeed in a particular situation. It plays a large role in almost everything we do because it is the key to human motivation.

When we don’t think we’ll be able to do something, it makes us less likely to try it. This may explain why many people feel intimidated by going to the gym.

But there are many ways to deal with these feelings – even before your first visit to the gym:

1. To start, keep your workout basic and plan exercises that you can master quickly and enjoy. It’s also worth including alternative movements or exercises that you can swap out if the gym is crowded or a machine is in employ.

2. Check out the gym and equipment to familiarize yourself with the layout and type of equipment you might encounter. Finding resources or online videos that show you how the equipment works can also assist tranquil your nerves and better prepare you for what you might encounter before your first workout. Booking a one-on-one session with a staff member or personal trainer on your first day can also assist.

3. Find a workout plan online or talk to a personal trainer to plan your workouts ahead of time. Not only will this assist you figure out what machines or areas of the gym you’ll need during your visit, but it can also give you a chance to practice the moves ahead of time.

4. Consider taking a beginner’s class. Being surrounded by others who are in a similar situation can assist you feel more confident and less anxious—and may even be beneficial for Your mental health.

5. At first, go during off-peak hours. This can assist you build confidence and get used to the gym, and you may also feel less nervous if there are fewer people around.

6. Expect and accept some anxiety and nerves. It’s a completely normal part of the process of trying something novel, and everyone feels it – even people who have been doing something for a long time. One way to deal with nerves is to practicing mindfulnessa form of meditation that involves focusing on being present in the present moment and any thoughts or feelings you may be having. This can assist you move beyond any anxiety you may be feeling.

Getting ready before you hit the gym can assist you leave feeling accomplished and successful. Ultimately, that feeling will assist you associate positive—not negative—feelings with the gym. That means you’ll be more likely to stick Your commitment to go there.