How to Feel Comfortable at the Gym

The gym should be a place for everyone to get in shape, stay healthy and have fun. For those just starting out on the fitness road or for those gymgoers with “normal bodies,” the gym can be a scary place. Since the gym is usually a second home for bodybuilders, supermodels and other stereotypical “gym bodies,” the experience can be intimidating and a confidence shake for many normal people. These steps will help every gym member to feel right at home.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Gym membership
• Workout clothes

1. Invest in a few gym outfits that make you feel positive about your body. Remember, your gym routine can include kneeling, squatting, lying down, running and lunging, so the clothes you choose should be comfortable and fit you well. The bottoms and top should have enough material to accompany those moves while still keeping you covered and confident.
2. Learn the gym machines and feel comfortable using and adjusting them. Those rows of strange contraptions can be a new gym attendee’s nightmare. If you take the time to play with each machine and learn your settings and the weights you’ll use, the next time you have to make adjustments, you won’t be so frightened of looking like a disaster. If you want help, make a few appointments with a personal trainer. Sometimes a new gym membership often comes with a free orientation session with a personal trainer. The trainer can help you to develop a routine and show you the ins and outs of the machines so you’ll be a pro in no time.
3. Look into the classes offered at the gym. One way to build your confidence and make you feel at home is to take advantage of all the perks of a gym membership. Classes such as pilates, yoga, spin and aerobics can be fun and a great way to learn a new skill. Just remember, when you’re first starting out, take a spot at the back of the class so you can observe others and stay out of the way. Once you feel confident in the routine, you can move closer to the front and be the model for other newcomers.
4. Know that no one is staring at you. Being watched by other people or made fun of is the biggest fear of many new gym members. Keep in mind that each person is there to work on her body. No one is focused on you, your body or your mistakes. The less you concentrate on everyone around you, the better workout you’ll have.
5. One of the best ways to stop the intimidation factor at the gym is to face that fear head-on. Choose the gym member whom you find most intimidating, whether he is a huge muscled weightlifter or a skinny, limber yoga expert. Make it a point to strike up a conversation with that person by the end of the week, even if it’s just small talk. Ask the person a simple question such as how a machine works or what time class starts. Conversing with the person you’ve most feared will make you see that he is just a normal gym attendee like you.
6. Feel confident in your progress and growth. After a few weeks of sweating it out, you still may not look like that gym-addict hard body, but you’ve made progress. You should be proud of what you’ve accomplished and your ability to stay motivated. Although you may not have the exact same body as the yoga instructor, you have the same lifestyle as her. You have committed to the gym and your health, just like she has. You should feel more comfortable in your place at the gym because you have the same goals and interests as the other gym members around you.

Tips & Warnings

• Your local gym may have a website that shows class schedule, times and descriptions.
• Know how to properly use machines before trying. Ask for assistance if needed.
• Consult your physician before starting a new exercise program.