By Conor Jack Martin
Joining a gym can be one of the most intimidating things you can do in your life. Everybody wants to look fit and stay healthy but some can feel anxious and paranoid over the whole gym process.
1: Join with a friend
Whether your friend stays for the long haul or not, it really doesn’t matter. The best feeling in the world is having someone to walk in with for the first couple of days. Walking into a gym on your own for the first time is terrifying. It’s scary because you know practically nothing and you don’t want to be judged because you’re doing something wrong. Having someone with you to share machines with makes your workout longer, but it makes your adjustment period a lot smoother and you will be more likely to stick it out.
2: Take the plunge
To help get over any shyness or anxieties go to the gym at its busiest time. A lot of people train legs on a Monday evening so go do the same. The gym will be packed and you will have to share machines and communicate with people who have been there much longer than you, but this will break the ice. After a session looking at people who are practically walking “Holister” models nothing in the gym will phase you again.
3: Take progress pictures
After at least three weeks depending on how you’ve been eating and training your body will have changed ever so slightly. Progress pictures will allow you to see these slight changes and this will motivate you to keep going. It takes a lot of hard work but any indication that you’re going in the right direction will spur you on.
4: Form is everything
If you’re not sure how to do a particular exercise, ask somebody who works there. Correct form of movement is everything because you need to be hitting the right muscles in the correct way. If you cannot seem to get the movement, lower the weight and allow your body the time to build strength, eventually you will get there.
5: Plan your workouts
This one seems really silly but if you do not know what you’re going to train before you walk in and its kind of busy, you will end up jumping on random machines and not using your time sufficiently.
6: Own it
I’m not saying stare at yourself in the mirror and think you’re on point because you’ve done a few squats but do have confidence. Ignore any paranoia you feel because most people are far more absorbed in their own reflections rather than a new persons workout.
7: Headphones in
If you are a timid soul and you’re petrified at the thoughts of joining alone, bring your own music. You can create your own fitness bubble and take everything else as just background noise. You’re there for you and you alone so focus on that.