Video Transcript

GYMTIMIDATION 

Hi Ant & Ali here with our Wellbeing Words of Wisdom. 

Today we want to discuss Gymtimidation. For those of you who have never heard of the term before, it’s basically being intimidated by the gym. This can be: 

A fear of working out in front of others.  

Feeling insecure about yourself while in the gym. 

Thinking people are looking at you or judging you. 

Feeling embarrassed about not knowing what to do or how to use the equipment. 

Or feeling intimidated by others in the gym. 

Ok, I’m going to start by telling you a little story. About 13 years ago Ant opened up a gym and at the start, I was pretty much the only girl in there. 

Now the gym itself was quite hardcore and the weights section was full of big muscly men, which made me feel intimated to go in and do my workout. 

I would only go into the weights section when Ant went with me. But after a while, I realised that nobody was even looking at me. Everyone was too busy doing their own workout, to care about what I was actually doing. 

Plus, these big scary looking muscly guys were really friendly and only too willing to help if I ever needed it. Once I got to know them, we had some really good fun and I made some great friends.  

So, if you are new to the gym, don’t think that the regular gym goers are making fun of you, or looking at you thinking you shouldn’t be there.

If they are in fact looking at you, it might be because they actually want to help you. Maybe you are doing something wrong and they are worried you may hurt yourself, or maybe they see you struggling with how to use a machine and are wondering themselves if they should go and offer help.  

Here’s a few things to bear in mind: 

• Everyone was a beginner at some stage. That person who you feel is intimidating now was once a newbie like you.   
• Be kind to yourself. You are taking steps to better yourself and work on your overall wellbeing. 
• Focus on you – This is your journey. Push aside the negative thoughts of “they think I don’t belong here” or “they think I look silly”. You have no idea what other people are thinking. 

• There is always going to be someone who is fitter, stronger or with more muscles, so be inspired rather than intimidated. 
• Social Media can show a very warped view of the fitness world. Not everyone in your local gym looks like a fitness influencer.  

If you are still not comfortable going to the gym here are a few suggestions: 

• Start working out at home first and build up your fitness and confidence before joining the gym. 

• Enlist a personal trainer. They will guide you through your workouts and help build up your confidence. 
• Get a friend to sign up to the gym with you. They can be your safety net. You will feel more comfortable knowing they are there and in the same boat as you. Plus, it’s more fun to have a training buddy.  
• Don’t skip your gym induction. It shows you how to use the equipment. 

And remember, the secret to success in the gym is consistency. You have the power to be consistent by continuing to show up to each workout. Let that be your focus. The fear will disappear and you will be a pro in no time.