Do you want to exercise to improve your physical health and how you feel? But perhaps find the gym a scary and uncomfortable environment? It’s a common and normal feeling to have. One of the biggest reasons for finding gyms intimidating is not knowing what you’re doing. For example, what machines or equipment you should be using. How to perform exercises correctly. Being concerned you’re doing something stupid in the gym. While also believing that everyone else in the gym knows what they are doing. But believe it or not, not everyone knows what they are doing.
So we will go through some ideas that could help you start exercising. In a way that you will feel more comfortable. Even if you are not ready or find going to a gym daunting. You can still get moving and get physically active.
Do you need a gym to exercise?
Firstly, do you even need a gym to be able to exercise? Could you do home workouts? Consider your goals, are you wanting to lose weight? Improve your energy levels? Feel more confident and more comfortable in your own skin? Simply getting started with some exercise will get you moving in the right direction. A gym is not a must-have to move a bit more and maintain a healthy weight.
Walking can be one of the best places to start to get more physically active. Why? It’s free and most people can do it and it does not require any equipment or learning new skills. If you have access to some local parks. Put on some comfortable shoes and appropriate clothes for the weather and get outside.
Still, want to use a gym?
Get a gym tour, when you are considering joining a gym most gyms offer a tour to have a look around before signing up. So you know what it looks like inside and what’s available. Think of any new place you may need to go to, you’re probably a bit nervous, right? So asking a member of staff to talk you around will make you feel more comfortable.
Book an induction, every gym will offer inductions as part of memberships when you join. Where they are intended to help new people to get familiar with the gym. Where things are they are likely to use for example water fountain and changing rooms. Showing you how to use some equipment that you may want to use. You also have the opportunity to ask any questions to ease any concerns you may have. If it has been some time before using a gym, it can be useful to feel comfortable again.
What if the gym is busy?
Find out the quieter times to go to the gym to use. You may not be comfortable doing your workouts in a busy gym. So it can be helpful to know the busy times. This may vary from gym to gym. But generally, this can be before 5 pm and after 8 pm on weekdays. The time of year is also a factor because January through April is the busiest time of year, followed by late September until late November. So weekends, bank holidays and summer tend to be much quieter.
Exercise in a private area in the gym. Some gyms will have studio spaces separate from the gym floor, that are a bit more private. Where classes take place and members may be able to use at times throughout the day there aren’t classes on. This is dependent on the gym as some may not allow it without a member of staff being present. So it’s always best to ask.
Sit or stand on a piece of equipment. You don’t have to use the exercise machine. Just focus on taking in the environment around you. The layout of the gym, the people around you, the various machines and the atmosphere. Which should get yourself more comfortable before doing any physical activity.
Make exercise socialable
Go with a friend, family member, or partner. As humans, we are naturally sociable. So going to the gym with someone could help to make you feel more comfortable within the gym. Especially if they have been going a while and are more familiar with going to the gym.
Perhaps attend group exercise classes. These are led by a personal trainer or class instructor. So you don’t need to think or have anything planned. It’s all structured for you. It’s also the perfect environment if you want to be in the company of a room full of people doing the same thing who may be a bit nervous about using the equipment on the gym floor.
Lastly, sign up for a personal trainer. Personal trainers are already comfortable in the gym and know the equipment. So they will be able to help structure an exercise plan for you and teach you how to use the equipment. So you won’t need to guess what exercises you should be doing. They effectively take the guesswork out of it. As well as being a navigator for your health and fitness goals.
As you can see there are many solutions to get around the intimidation of gyms. What will work for you will depend on your exercise experience, if you have gyms before or if you have never used them. Your past experiences with gyms if you have used them.
