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Do you suffer from gym anxiety? If so, you’re not alone. So many people struggle so much with the idea of starting a new gym, figuring out what to do in their sessions, or even building up the confidence to walk into a class - so much so, it actually prevents many of us from working out in the first place! Which is such a shame… But you don’t need to suffer in silence for another second, we’re here to dish our top tips for overcoming gym anxiety. Soon, you’ll be strutting into your nearest Jetts club without a care in the world!
Before you sign up to a gym, get in touch and see if you can head down to the club to check it out and suss out the vibe. You want to be sure it’s an environment you can see yourself feeling comfortable in down the track.
Ask yourself (or a member of staff) the following questions: Does it have a good community feel? Is it comfortable? How is the equipment? Do you feel safe? Are there people around who you can ask for help or guidance if you need it?
If you feel like, in time, you could feel confident walking in and getting your sweat on, it’s all systems go!
When you eventually join a gym and you’re ready to make your entrance, always go into the club with a plan. Write up your session in advance (or book into a class or have a trainer write up a session for you) so you don’t feel like you’re umming and ahhing when you eventually get in there. Decide what muscle groups you want to focus on, what movements you’re going to perform, how many sets and reps you’ll aim for.
This has the added advantage of giving you the opportunity to do some research before your session. If you need some guidance with your form, or how to use certain pieces of equipment, you’ll be able to watch YouTube videos, or ask a trainer for guidance before you even get to the gym. This way, you’ll be able to walk in confident that you know exactly what is in store for you, and feel capable and confident in achieving your plan for the day.
Starting off with a personal trainer is an excellent way to build confidence in the gym, and overcome any anxiety you may be experiencing. Not only will a personal trainer be able to program your sessions to help you reach your individual goals faster and more effectively, but they’ll also be able to hold your hand until you feel comfortable in the gym.
They’ll show you how to execute key movements with perfect technique (helping you prevent injury and maximise your results at the same time), guide you on how to use any unfamiliar equipment, and support you through any anxieties you have along the way.
Even a couple of sessions with a trainer go a long way in overcoming anxiety in the gym, so if you’re uncertain or unsure, book in and prepare to watch your confidence soar!
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious about working out at the gym, focus on finding a type of exercise you love and look forward to! Whether it’s cycling, HIIT, running, weights, yoga - whatever it may be - sticking to something you really enjoy makes hitting the gym a really positive, motivating experience. As you build your confidence up, this will help you stay consistent with your sessions, and little by little you’ll find yourself overcoming any lingering anxiety you may have.
Also, who doesn’t want to sweat it out in a way they love and enjoy?! It’s a win-win! Keep trying different styles of exercise until you find your “thing” - it will be well worth it!
Find yourself making endless excuses to avoid going to the gym so you don’t have to face your anxieties? How about flipping the script, and focusing on the positives instead?
Try making a list of all the gains and wins you can achieve by hitting the gym consistently. Whether you write it on your phone, or jot it down on paper and pin it up on your mirror where you’ll see it all the time, use the list as a reminder and motivator whenever you’re experiencing doubts or uncertainty about a session.
So often, the anxiety and fear can make us forget about all the positives we can gain from a regular workout schedule, so reminding yourself of these can be a really effective way of pushing through the initial discomfort and getting it done!
Setting aside time to really celebrate your wins in the gym, whether they be reaching new PBs in your weights, hitting higher rep targets, or even just attempting an exercise that once scared you, can turn your gym anxiety into a positive experience! By really congratulating yourself and sitting in this feeling of achievement and success, you give yourself extra motivation to push through any anxiety, and lean in to the outcomes and the potential for the experience to be an uplifting one!
We love an accountability buddy or workout partner, so by all means don’t be afraid to bring a friend along to the gym until you’re more comfortable sweating it out on your own!
Having someone you trust and feel comfortable around can be so helpful in overcoming gym anxiety. Whether it’s someone you can ask for help with your form and technique, or just someone who motivates you and makes you feel safe, this is an excellent way to build confidence in the gym, without putting too much pressure on yourself to get it right from the get-go. Plus, it might even motivate you to push yourself a little bit harder - because we’re all about a bit of friendly competition!
Lastly, but definitely not least, ask us for help! We’re here to support you in any way we can - however that looks! If that involves helping you overcome your gym anxiety, learn correct technique, or find the workout that works for you, we’re here for it!
Never be afraid to reach out, voice your concerns, and ask for help. We want to make coming into the club the most positive, enjoyable experience it can be for you!
So there you have it - your foolproof guide to overcoming gym anxiety! Now, there’s no excuse to avoid the gym! We can’t wait to see you putting these tips into practice and sweating it out in the club!
Want more health, fitness and nutrition tips and advice, and maybe even some delicious healthy recipes while you’re at it? Check out our blog today for all of this and more!