8 Ways to Overcome your Fear of the Gym
The gym can be intimidating–there are tons of machines that look like torture devices, gym bros are grunting up a storm, everyone seems to be lifting more than you, or you’re too unsure of yourself to even touch a weight at all.
I was once a wide-eyed young girl who wandered aimlessly through the YMCA trying to figure out what exactly I was supposed to be doing there to get fit, and I never used that membership to its full potential because I was too scared to get off my three usual cardio machines and try something new.
So what changed? From my experience, here are some ways you can overcome your fear of the gym:
Remind yourself we were all new in the gym at some point and have to start somewhere.
Bring a friend, preferably someone with experience in the gym or someone who will at least make you laugh.
Try a beginner friendly class; going to yoga at the YMCA helped me get to the gym and be more comfortable in it.
Try home workouts, preferably with weights. I used to follow a DVD workout program (because I’m THAT old) to help me learn exercises and form.
Start with an easy machine circuit, such as a chest press machine, seated row, leg press, and hamstring curl. Over time, transition those movements to dumbbells (DB chest press, one arm dumbbell row, squat, glute bridge or RDL). When those feel good, maybe try the same movements with a barbell.
Make the gym fun: buy a new workout outfit, build music playlists that pump you up, listen to a podcast or audiobook, grab coffee or a meal after the gym with your workout partner.
Remember: no one is watching you in the gym. No one cares what you’re doing. Everyone is busy worrying about themselves. It’s cliché but true!
Hire a trainer. I know this sounds like a shameless self-plug, but it was honestly the biggest game changer for me. Having a trainer who handled my programming, taught me proper form, and progressed how much I was lifting took so much of my fear away—I just had to show up and do what I was told! Even a couple of sessions with a coach can go a long way to set yourself up for solo training success.