How to Thrive in the Gym as a Beginner
So maybe this year’s resolution was to get a gym membership to be more active! Awesome, Way to go!!
You’ve signed up online, got your new gym gear and you step foot into the new gym, so excited to start this journey.
But then you freeze … because there’s machines, and noises and smells and sounds that you never expected to see ….
Wait a minute, where do I fit in here?
Well let me tell you, even as someone who has been working out in gyms since high school, has worked at a gym and has several fitness based certifications, even I get very intimidated walking into a new gym. Especially for females, they are notoriously unwelcoming environments. The fear of judgement is STRONG with so many wondering eyes, people of all abilities doing so many different things, wild machines with all kinds of levers and buttons that you need an entire book just to understand how to use. And don’t forget that there’s about 7 bajillion workout plans on the internet so you have no idea where to even start!
Don’t worry boo, I got you <3
Here’s my top tips to THRIVE in a new gym setting!
Go to the gym prepared
Pick out a few exercises and plan out how you want to do them. Coming equipped with a plan will allow you to have that air of confidence that you do in fact know what you’re doing!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
The employees are there to help guide you. Quite literally being paid to show you around the gym, demo exercises and explain how machines work! Building relationships with the front desk staff will help you feel way more confident, and maybe even keep you accountable to keep showing up!
Seek help if you need it
Maybe it’s getting a personal trainer from the gym to get you started or asking someone knowledgable who can guide you. Even if it’s just to get you going, getting the help you need will save you a ton of embarrassment and trial and error!
Go with a friend
Don’t stress it alone, have someone come along with you. Maybe it’s not forever, but the first couple times until you feel more comfortable can go a long way.
Believe in yourself and go in with a confident attitude
Pretend with all your might that you fit in, you belong there and you know exactly what you’re doing. Being too afraid to mess up will not end in your favour. Try new things, make mistakes, laugh it off and keep on going! It’s called research and development!
Let go of the fear of judgement
Who actually cares what some random dude thinks about you, he and you will likely never have to interact in the real world so, forget him and focus on YOU. You are there for YOU and no one else.
See point 9 for more
Take your time
The cardio section is your friend! I love to start off walking on the treadmill or on the bike to take some time to settle into the new environment, set up my plan of attack and take inventory of the space around me.
I’ll often eye up a new piece of equipment that I may be a little too intimidated to try out. So maybe I lurk around that section, watch others use it, do some research online, and that may take me weeks or months before I give it a go. Don’t feel rushed to do it all!
Take a lap to eye what equipment is there
Take a nice stroll around, see what other people are doing, what they are using and what the gym as to offer. Most gyms are big, overstimulating places so taking a chance to get your bearings can be very helpful
Remember everyone started somewhere
Always keep in mind, that every single person in that gym had to start somewhere!! They once were the doe eyed kid, walking around with no clue what was going on too.
The more you go, the more comfy you’ll get
We can guarantee your first couple visits will likely be awkward … but by visit 10 you’ll laugh at yourself for being so nervous in the first place
You got this baby girl!!
P.S. If you are not new to the gym, remember to have compassion for those who are new. Remember where you started, I’m sure someone helped you in those early days, so pay it forward <3
See ya in the gym!
