Overcoming Your Gym Fear

By Tyler Kalmakoff
[Fitness]
Other People

Wouldn’t it be nice to have every machine available with zero over-testosteroned muscle men hovering around for the entirety of your workout?  Well, it doesn’t need to be that way.  Focus on yourself and what you’re doing.  Bring an iPod and tune them out.

Other people are more of an annoyance than anything.  Don’t worry about what they’re doing or thinking.  Most of them are too busy being self-absorbed to notice you anyway.  If you’re female, most gyms have female-only rooms and classes.  Use those to your advantage if you’re feeling uncomfortable or join a gender specific gym.

In the end, Mr. and Miss Hotshot aren’t going to demoralize you by pointing fingers and laughing—quite the opposite, in fact.  If you need advice they’re the people you want to approach.  Gym veterans love helping and you’ll make their day by asking.  Point is, don’t let other eyeballs detract from your gym experience.

Equipment

Equipment problems are a typical reason for avoiding the gym and something that cannot be ignored.  All universal pieces of gym equipment have instructions on the most obvious part of the machine.  Take the time to look at these so you know how to properly use the machine and don’t feel awkward for having to read the label.  You’ll always get a lot more respect reading and doing a machine exercise correctly than winging it and doing it completely wrong.

For barbell, cable and bodyweight exercises, consulting magazines like The Soko or online videos for workout ideas and examples on proper form can never hurt.  Don’t forget to keep your eyes open and see what others are doing in the gym and how they’re using machines and weights.  Observation and the desire to learn are the greatest tools a new gym member could possibly have.

Face Your Fears

You should be going to the gym with your head up, focused on your workout and your goals, not worrying about the dressing room, other people or equipment.  You have to keep in mind that everyone at the gym is there to better themselves.  No one is there to make life hard on you.  Now it’s up to you to make your gym experience a good one.  Eliminate your fitness phobia and stay healthy by working out consistently and having fun.
BACK