Many people like to exercise, but fear the gym as they imagine it’s full of big bodybuilders and big scary machines, whilst worrying about the prospect of falling off a treadmill! But it does not have to like it. If you are afraid of what’s inside the four walls of the gym, it is important to understand that you are not alone. Here are some tips to overcome gym fear:
- Take a group fitness classes
One of the easiest ways to overcome the fear of the gym is to enrol in group fitness classes there. The beauty of these classes is that you do not need to know what you are doing as a classroom instructor will show, and in the classroom, you can be sure of a welcome environment in which most people are trying a new exercise and aren ‘t expected to be an expert. Moreover, as long as you tell a fitness class instructor that you’re a beginner, usually they will be more than willing to help you out and give extra attention if you need it.
- Avoid Peak Hours, Bring Music
If you feel intimidated by hoards of fitness addicts you imagine you will experience in the gym, be kind to yourself and deliberately avoid rush hour, as many would agree that the gym is much less stress-inducing if you avoid peak times. There are certain times of the day when the number of people making their way to the gym increases- this is usually in the morning before work, and straight after work at night. Gyms are often ghost towns after 08:00, so if your schedule and your energy levels are up to it, try to either visit mid-day or later in the evening. Thus, you can navigate your own routines and you can truly focus only on yourself.
Additionally, when you go, bring your favourite music. Putting in your ear plugs and zoning out to music can mute the noise around you and give you the boost you need to keep going. Visit a friendly Gym Dublin at a site like https://southsidegym.ie/
- Map Out What You Do Before You Get There
Make sure you head to the gym ready with a game plan. Wandering aimlessly will only create more stress, and you might convince yourself that everyone is watching you amble around seemingly lost. Therefore, you have to plan what you want to do in the gym even before you get there so you can make a beeline to your machine once you arrive. If you want to focus on cardio, head to one of the machines or perhaps you mean to lift some weights, so have a routine that has been mapped.
- Research online
Another thing you can do to prepare for your workout is by doing internet research so you have a better understanding of what you should be doing, how to operate the machine and how to prevent injuries. The weight room is a scary place for many people, but to understand how to use the machines and what muscles they are designed to work, will make them much less daunting. There are many helpful tutorials on YouTube that tells you how to use the machine and how to improve your workout.
