Going to the gym is a fantastic way to improve your overall well-being, body, and fitness, but for many, gym anxiety can create a major obstacle that prevents them from enjoying the experience.
If you are someone who feels anxious or self-conscious about going to the gym, don’t worry because you are not alone!
This article will help you with valuable tips and strategies to overcome gym anxiety and create a positive fitness journey.
#1: Acknowledge and accept
The first step in overcoming gym anxiety is to acknowledge and accept your feelings. It is normal to feel self-conscious when starting something new, especially in an environment where others seem more experienced.
Remember that we all need to start somewhere. Remind yourself that you are there to improve your health and fitness, and you need to focus on yourself.
By setting realistic goals and focusing on your own progress rather than comparing yourself to others, you’ll build confidence and start feeling more empowered and less anxious, which breeds motivation.
#2: Get guidance
Finding someone to guide and support you can help eliminate gym anxiety. Consider hiring a body transformation coach or personal trainer who will provide personalised guidance tailored to your specific needs and goals.
A qualified fitness professional will assess your current fitness level and lifestyle and help you define your goals. They will incorporate this information and your preferences to design a customised workout and nutrition plan, breaking your goals into achievable milestones.
A coach will then help optimise your efforts, ensuring you avoid common pitfalls, reduce your injury risk and keep you motivated through the transformation journey. They will hold you accountable by tracking your process, monitoring your adherence to the plan, and providing regular feedback.
This personalised approach will give you a sense of direction, making it easier to navigate the gym and know exactly what exercises to perform and how to progress effectively. By working with a coach who develops and follows a game plan, you will create new routines and habits, which will all help to normalise the gym experience and reduce anxiety.
#3: Education builds confidence
Feeling unsure about how to use gym equipment or perform exercises can contribute to anxiety. Take advantage of orientation sessions or gym tours for new members or YouTube videos to familiarise yourself with different exercises and equipment.
Knowledge breeds confidence. The more you understand, the more comfortable you will feel in the gym environment.
Working with a coach or personal trainer who develops a game plan for you will also breed familiarity with the gym equipment.
For example, my clients use an app that shows videos of each exercise so that they know exactly what to do when they get to the gym. This alleviates anxiety, reduces injury risk, and makes the gym experience more effective and enjoyable.
Don’t hesitate to ask other gym members for advice or assistance with a machine or performing a certain exercise. It is a great icebreaker to meet new people and make friends in your local gym. A workout buddy is always a bonus and a motivator to get you to show up to the gym when you’re not always in the mood.
#4: Progress breeds self-belief
Confidence also plays a vital role in overcoming gym anxiety. Your self-belief will naturally increase as you progress and improve your strength, endurance, and physique.
Moreover, it’s our job as a coach to guide and instil a sense of belief in your abilities to help you overcome self-doubt and start to embrace your abilities and your proficiency in the gym environment.
Gym anxiety should not prevent you from embarking on a fitness journey. By hiring a body transformation coach, you can tackle your fears head-on and develop the confidence and skills necessary to thrive in the gym environment.
Remember, as you become more familiar with your gym, you will gain more confidence in your abilities, which will naturally reduce the anxiety you experience when venturing into this new world.
Give yourself time to adapt, and don’t be too hard on yourself. The most important thing is to focus on your well-being and personal goals. When you do, you will discover a world of fitness possibilities that are free of anxiety!
Written by Laura Soulios
About the author: As a multi-award-winning Medical Esthetician, Body Transformation Coach, and part-owner of Body Tuned By, Laura Soulios has genuinely learned to wear many hats. After her own personal body transformation, learning how to reverse the signs of ageing with nutrition and strength training, she knew she needed to help more women like her. Laura not only works with women on the outer appearance but with the inner body. Customised workout plans, skincare treatments, and nutritional plans help her clients achieve the body and skin they always wanted. In her own journey, Laura never imagined that she could lose weight, build confidence, embrace her body, and become a highly published fitness model. She was able to achieve all of this while being a wife, mom of two, and boss babe! Now Laura is privileged to help so many other women over 35 to accomplish their impossible! IG: @Laura_Soulios
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
