When you leave the gym, do you feel more excited than the exercise itself?You’re not alone. The gym can be scary—those men with perfect bodies, those complicated machines, that person with the perpetual jog on the treadmill, the Gazelle. Enough to make anyone a little bit out of place. But maybe I could tell you I’ll bet the monsters under the gym’s bed are mostly just in our heads. In fact, ‘gymtimidation’ is a real phenomenon, but it is also beatable.
Gymtimidation, the clever portmanteau of ‘gym’ and ‘intimidation,’ is that feeling of anxiety and overwhelm that can set in when you’re working out—or just thinking about working out—in the company of others. The gym is like a stage, but you’re the performer who forgot all their lines. So why is this? And, more importantly, how can we get past it?
The roots of gym anxiety are as varied as the people who experience it.
For some, there is a lack of experience or knowledge as to how to operate much of the equipment. You know the scene: You’re staring at what looks like a medieval torture device ostensibly used to do something that’s not impossible but really sounds a little off—such as using the machine to tone your abs. The social anxiety part then. It’s a public space, after all, and those who are more introverted or have not been to public spaces in a while (hi, pandemic) can feel like they’re walking into a lion’s den.
If there’s one place where it’s socially acceptable to wear clothes that might be considered underwear in any other situation, it’s the gym. The gym can become this hall of mirrors, reflecting your insecurities from every angle, and can make anyone hyperaware of their body if they are feeling insecure about how they look, to begin with.
But fret not, because there are some steps you can take to conquer these fears, according to Dr. Matthew Sacco, a PhD who understands the mind—here’s his advice for beating the gym boogeyman. He quotes Robert Frost: ‘The best way out is always through.’ He’s not just throwing platitudes our way; he knows how to make it happen.
A little bit of research can go a long way in making you feel good when you finally start stepping foot in a gym. Before heading into your local gym, it’s good to know what services and amenities it offers and even catching a glimpse of the ‘vibe’ from social media gives you a sense of what to expect. Don’t forget about the power of a good old-fashioned tour. If you come into a gym with no intention of working out right then, walking around is an easy way to get your bearings without the performance pressure.
When you start to figure out anything that’s confusing you—whether during that initial tour or over the phone—you can eliminate a little bit of the haze that comes with the mystery of this gym experience. Plus, if you’re brave, get a personal trainer to help you. Trainers are not just for celebrities—they can help guide, support, and demystify those scary-looking machines.
It’s more likely that you will follow through if you treat it as any other important commitment in your life. When you do go, take into account timing, too. If you hit the gym in the off-peak hours, it will give you the space to explore and experiment without feeling like a sideshow.
Bringing a friend along can ease the anxiety.
Numbers do have power and having someone with you can make the whole thing less like a lone fight against the gym goliaths. If you’re worried about going round and around the gym aimlessly, maybe sign up for a class. In a structured environment with someone there to guide you through what you have to do and when to do it, you don’t have to stress about what to do next.
But what if you’ve done all this and the gym still seems like too much? It’s ok, says Dr. Sacco, because the gym is not the be-all and end-all of fitness. You just have plenty of alternatives to stay active and healthy. Enter home workouts, outdoor activities, and even just going for a walk: All are valid forms of exercise, with the same physical and mental health benefits that we’re all so desperate for.
Still new to the gym or feeling rusty after a while? You’re not alone, and eliminating the gym anxiety is very doable. Making the gym a place of triumph may take a bit of preparation, some strategic planning, and perhaps a little helping hand, but if you do it will most definitely come easier than if you do nothing. And who knows? You could end up looking forward to your next workout.
While the gym can seem like a battleground at first, with the right strategies, it can become your playground. It’s a place for you to challenge yourself, meet new people, and most importantly take control of your health and fitness. Put those sneakers on, take a breath, and start to walk. Now you are ready to take over that gym.
Related posts:
Gymtimidation: How To Push Through Gym Anxiety
Gymtimidation: What is Gym Anxiety?
