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You don’t like exercising around the opposite sex or anyone else to that matter. It makes you feel uncomfortable, or inadequate. Does this sound like you?
This is totally normal and very common, especially when you are just starting out or returning to exercise when you’ve been away from it for a while.
Of course working out in the privacy of your own home solves this problem. But that’s no fun. Working out at home is a great way to give you more confidence in yourself and get you mentally fitter before you decide to hit the gym.
But is the real reason you feel intimidated when you go to the gym because you lack confidence, you are unfamiliar with the surroundings or you don’t know what you are doing? A new environment can leave you feeling a little lost and it looks like everyone else knows what they are doing. So here’s a few ideas on how do to get over this:
1. What is the gym demographic? Is it a female only gym, is it a grunter’s gym? The gym staff will tell you the type of people that regularly go.
2. Ask when the quiet times are. If it fits in your schedule this can help build your confidence and get you used to your surroundings.
3. Don’t just go to a gym and stare at the rows of machines — gym instructors are there to help, most gyms including Northern Arena, Silverdale offer gym explorers to show you how to use the machines and a programme to follow to help get you going. Take advantage of their expertise, they want to help you.
4. Put your hand up and ask for help or research the classes they offer to see which ones you might like and are aimed at people like yourself. Classes take the thinking about what to do out of the equation.
5. Go regularly. The more you go, the more comfortable you will feel. Plus the extra exercise you are doing will give more confidence and get you fitter.
6. Introduce yourself to someone else. Working out with a familiar face can help put you at ease. Even if you don’t really know them, you have something in common already.
Remember, you are not alone and anyone can have the confidence in themselves to get in shape.
