general well being

That first trip to a gym can be intimidating and it is often difficult to know how to behave, especially when the gym is full of trim and muscled individuals who seem to know exactly what’s going on. How do you tackle that fear, and make the first step on your fitness journey?

Often people feel incredibly intimidated when they enter a gym for the first time. I can empathise, as I felt the same the first time I entered a fitness centre. I believed everyone was watching me, thinking “what the hell is he doing and is he really working up a sweat lifting just that?” I now know that it was all in my head and everyone starts out in that same place, with the same feelings.

If you’re struggling to get up the nerve to enter a gym and start working towards your health and fitness goals then there are a few tricks that should help you master your fear.

Choosing the right gym:
Have a look around; make sure the staff and members are friendly, that the place is small enough to feel welcoming and that the place looks clean and well-equipped. Join somewhere that is close to home or places you visit often; that way it’s easy for you to pop in and chances are you will run into a lot of people you already know as you are familiar with the area.

Know the gym rules:
While every gym is different, there are some general unwritten laws you should be aware of. Return weights and any piece of equipment you use to where you got it from, don’t drop weights, wipe up your sweat, share the equipment, don’t talk to people half way through a set, keep yourself clean and be pleasant to everyone.

Get a gym buddy:
If a friend or colleague regularly attends the gym, find out if they would mind if you went along with them. If they are already motivated and attending regularly, it makes you accountable for turning up. You could also try starting your new health and fitness regime with a friend, and join the gym together.

Program and Assessment:
Once you’re at the gym what are you going to do? Make sure you get an assessment and program - that way someone will show you around the facilities and the equipment which will make the gym a lot less intimidating as you will know the basics of what to do and how. Plus you will have met someone that you can now say “hello” to when you’re in the weight’s room; you’re no longer there alone.

Group Fitness:
Find out what classes are on offer as they are a great way to have a fun workout and meet new people. When starting a new class always turn up to the class early to introduce yourself to the instructor so they know you are new. Once you are attending regularly, if you have a day off it is guaranteed your new gym friends will wonder where you are and ask you where you have been. This is a great way to stay motivated, and recent studies have shown that 88% of people achieving their fitness goals at the gym utilised group fitness classes and/or personal trainers.

I think it’s important to remember what the purpose of a gym is. They are there for people to get fit and stay fit, not a beauty pageant. Whenever you try something new you will always have some feelings of uneasiness - do you remember your first kiss or asking someone out for the first time? If you follow the guidelines above you will ease yourself into your new lifestyle and every time you go it will become easier. Within no time at all you will feel like part of the family.

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