8 Tips on how to build confidence at the gym?
Going to a gym can be very intimidating for most people, the fear of being judged, not knowing what you are doing, not knowing where things are or how to use certain equipment all play a part.
Having worked in gyms for over 8 years now I can honestly say the majority of people you think may be looking/judging you really aren’t, they are just sat having there 60 second rest period between sets and don’t want to sit and stare at their phone. So they look up and around them and unfortunately for you they managed to make eye contact and now it is awkward……..
However this isn’t to say that unfortunately people seem to forget why gyms exist, they are places people go to get a release from every day life and a place people go to become a fitter and healthier version of themselves. Not everyone goes to a gym to pose in front of a mirro and take ‘false’ selfies of themselves to upload on their social media to portray a specific lifestyle.
Anyway here are a few things you can do to build your confidence in the gym:
DO NOT GIVE A S**T what anyone thinks of you, you are going to a gym for a reason. Make sure that reason outweighs anyone else’s opinion whether it be to improve your quality of life or shift a bit of timber so you can run around with your kids without panting out your backside.
Have a plan - before you step foot in the gym you should know what you are going to do on that specific day, if you rock up with no plan then you are much more likely to bail on your workout and not do anything at all. Having a coach to keep you accountable is a very good way to start your health and fitness journey, this way you have someone else to be accountable to other than yourself.
Find a training partner - for similar reasons as above, having someone to train with is proven to yield greater results. Having someone there to push you through those extra few reps, or increase that weight a little extra, and more importantly on the days you don’t feel like training (which there will be plenty) your training partner will make sure you drag your a**e to the gym otherwise you are letting them down too.
Set yourself realistic goals - Make sure you have something you are working towards, whether it be a performance, numerical or aesthetic goal. With no goal you will be pi**ing in the wind, when you have your down days you will beat yourself up and unless you have clear targets you need to be hitting/meeting you will not know if what you are doing is working. This can lead to you giving in much easier.
Be confident in what you wear - Recently gyms have become more and more like nights out, with guys wearing vests that barely cover there nipples and may as well be training topless, females wearing shorts so short they like like underwear and sometimes just a bra. Nothing against people who want to wear these kinds of clothes to exercise in, that is on them. But don’t feel pressured to do the same, chances are you are stepping out of your comfort zone in a gym so control the controllable, wear clothes that you feel comfortable in.
Don’t just copy other people’s workout - Especially if you are a newbie, don’t copy what you see other people doing in the gym. It could be incorrect what you see or what is more likely is that the exercise that person is doing has been given to/designed for them to do specifically for their personal goals. If you see someone doing something that interests you, feel free to ask them what it is they are doing and the muscles it is working.
Get a personal trainer - If you really are unsure get yourself a personal trainer to help you design a plan that woirks for you and helps you get to your end goal safely and effectively.
Don’t sweat the small stuff - Believe it or not, we have all slipped off a treadmill, dropped a dumbbell on our foot, caught our fingers between plates, some of us have even farted doing a leg press…. the point is, it is life. Don’t let these things deter you from going to the gym and improving your life.
If you are stuck and would like to work with me whether that be in person training or via an online coaching form at just drop me a message using the button below.