Why Do People Suffer From Gym Intimidation?
There are some super-confident people out there who have no fear whatsoever when it comes to trying new things, but for many people the thought of joining a gym can be a very daunting prospect.
That’s because in every gym you will find lots of confident muscle-bound men, as well as women who have beautifully slim and toned bodies.
So the thought of entering this arena as a complete novice can put many people off the idea of joining a gym altogether.
How To Overcome This Fear
Luckily there are many different ways you can eradicate this fear, and ultimately go on to achieve your own personal fitness and muscle-building goals.
If you are intent on joining a gym, then I would suggest that you stick to the basic cardio machines on your first visit to the gym. Exercise bikes and rowing machines, for example, are very easy to use, and by working out on these machines, you will get a chance to settle into your new environment without any fear of looking out of place or not knowing how any of the machines work.
You will soon notice that most people are completely focused on their own workouts, and are not interested in looking around to see what other people are doing. So this should put you at ease for future sessions.
However on your next visit to the gym I would suggest that you ask one of the instructors to show you how to use all of the exercise equipment because this will enable you to get the most of your gym membership.
A lot of people are too scared to use many of the exercise machines simply because they don’t know how to use them, and don’t want to look stupid figuring out how they work, but this can easily be avoided if you ask for help right from the start.
If you are still not comfortable about going to the gym for the first time because you are not in the best of shape, for example, then you might want to exercise at home or outdoors before joining a gym.
Outdoor activities such as walking, running and cycling will all help you to lose some weight, whilst exercises such as push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, lunges and squats will help with toning and muscle definition.
However to be honest, I wouldn’t worry about how you look too much because you will find that many gym members will secretly admire you for joining a gym and taking action.
If you are worried about going to the gym on your own, you can always ask a friend to go to the gym with you because this will make the whole experience a lot easier.
Alternatively you should consider going to the gym during the quietest periods of the day when hardly anybody is there because then you are free to use all of the equipment without worrying about what people might think of you.
Finally, if you are still unable to muster up the courage to drag yourself along to your local gym, then I would suggest that you buy your own exercise equipment and work out at home. As well as being able to buy various different cardio machines, you can also buy complete home gyms that will enable you to work every single muscle group without having to leave your home.
So the point is that there are many different ways you can overcome gym intimidation. The hardest part is taking the first step and venturing into a gym for the first time. After your first few sessions it becomes a lot easier, and even more so when your fitness and strength starts to improve, as it inevitably will over time.
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