[Day 15]: There’s No Need to be Scared of The Gym
/We all have our reasons for not going to the gym. But fear is by far the most daunting barrier that’s preventing people from exercising.
“I don’t want to be judged.”
“I need to get in better shape before I go to the gym.”
“I don’t want people to stare.”
I’ve heard it all, and I’m here to tell you: THERE’S NO NEED TO BE SCARED OF THE GYM.
Walking into a new gym for the first time can definitely be intimidating. I get it.
Unfamiliar layouts and new environments are nerve-racking, but before we even step foot into the gym, it’s immensely important to prioritize our goals and broaden our perspectives.
Break it down and consider why you want to go there. Are you there to lose weight? Gain muscle? Become more athletic?
No matter what your goal is—you’re there to become a stronger version of your current self, and that’s why you’re going to the gym.
Be Real.
It’s incredibly important to approach your fitness journey with sincere and humble expectations. Prioritizing a positive and realistic mindset about "The Gym" experience, is essential to seeing the changes you are hoping for.
And with this newfound perspective, the gym is no longer filled with people that are stronger, skinnier and more athletic than you.
Rather, the gym is filled with people just like you. All working toward the same goal—becoming the strongest versions of themselves.
Look at that! Half the battle is fought before even stepping foot into the gym, you’re almost there.
Mindset is the most difficult part of this entire endeavour.
I’ll try and outline the rest down below with 3 simple steps that will help you and your newfound mindset step through the front doors of that daunting gym!
1. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
If you don’t know where something is, or if you don’t know how to use a certain piece of equipment, ask the gym staff without hesitation! Chances are they’ve answered your same question a hundred times over, and they’re perfectly happy to help you in any way they can.
Moreover, If you see a fellow gym goer (remember, you’re both there for the same reason!) using a piece of equipment you want, don’t be afraid to ask, "how many sets do you have left?" or "if it's okay with you, can I work in here?".
The art of sharing has become somewhat of an unwritten rule in gym culture.
2. Follow A Workout Plan/Get A Personal Trainer
After a few trips to the gym, you may find yourself aimlessly wandering and just throwing together workouts without much of a structure
Falling into this disparaging pattern can quickly turn your fitness journey into a waste of time. There are plenty of resources readily available (at the gym or online) that will help you get the absolute most out of the time you spend at the gym.
Take advantage of them!
If you're not comfortable at first, we'd love to help you out with setting up your workout plan. Our team does this all the time and has helped quite a few people see the results they need without ever having to meet in-person and pay the somewhat hard-to-swallow fees of the in-person trainers. Email us here if you're interested!
3. Have Fun
This simple step may well be the most important one. Remember, you’re the one in charge of your fitness journey.
Does lifting weights and running on treadmills not sound like very much fun to you? Don’t worry, you have options! There’s a multitude of fitness classes and unique exercises available to you. Experiment, try different apps, get outside, heck, we don't even care if you creepily stare at someone during their whole workout and copy everything they do!
Bottom line is = Do SOMETHING, the results you've been wanting to see are worth it.
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Well, there you have it. It’s not as easy as some make it out to be, but it’s definitely not as hard as you’ve been making it out to be.
Take that step and embark on the continuously rewarding journey of becoming a stronger version of you.
See you in the gym!