5 Tips for Overcoming Gym Anxiety

Many people tend to feel anxious when they start working out at the gym. And it can usually be traced down to one of four things. One of which is showing up to the gym and not knowing what to do. You don’t know where things are or how to use certain machines, and that feeling of uncertainty is not only stressful but can also take a toll on your confidence. Another source of gym anxiety is comparing yourself to others.

When you first start going to the gym, your focus isn’t on someone running on the treadmill. But on the person in the corner deadlifting more than you ever could with washboard abs. And when you’re comparing yourself to others, you’re constantly coming up short. Which can be defeating and make you feel uncomfortable at the gym. Two other common reasons people experience gym anxiety, deal with feeling judged, or that that you don’t belong.

Maybe you dropped accidentally dropped a barbell or tripped and fell. Then people turned to look, and you felt embarrassed thinking of what those people might have thought about you.  After that, you start to doubt yourself and feel like maybe you don’t belong. It isn’t uncommon to feel anxious when you’re starting something. And there are always steps you can take to overcome the anxiety that comes with it. Overcoming gym anxiety is no different. There are steps you can take to boost your confidence, and become comfortable with going to the gym. So here are five things you can do to overcome gym anxiety.

Build your Confidence

The first step in overcoming gym anxiety is building your confidence. So here are a couple of ways you build your confidence and overcome gym anxiety:

• Do your research before going to the gym. Choose a routine and study it, practice doing the exercises at home, so you become comfortable with them. Research gym equipment ahead of time, so you’ll feel less intimated by it and confident on how to use it.
• Buy gym clothes that make you feel confident, and are easy to exercise in.

Focus on Yourself

In reality, people go to the gym to work out, not to judge others. They’re focused on their workouts and hitting goals they’ve set for themselves. To keep your mind from wandering from your workout to others. By practicing mindfulness while you’re working out. Focus on your breath, the writing on the wall, or what muscles engage when you’re doing an exercise.

Reassurance

If you find that negative thinking is the cause of your anxiety, write down your negative thoughts, and challenge them. For example, if one of your thoughts is ” I don’t belong here” challenge it by asking yourself:

• Am I jumping to conclusions?
• What’s the best thing that could happen?
• Is this way of thinking helping me to achieve my goals?

By challenging negative thoughts, you’ll see how much of your thinking is inaccurate, exaggerated, or inclined towards a negative view of things. And you can reassure yourself of the truth.

Bring a Friend

You don’t have to take on gym anxiety by yourself. Reach out to a friend, they can be new to working out, or someone with experience. When trying something new, it helps to have someone by your side. Things will become less intimidating, and you’ll feel more relaxed when anxiety arises. Together you can develop a workout plan, support, and motivate each other.

Go to the gym and don’t give up

Keep going to the gym, the more often you go, the easier it’ll get, and the more comfortable you’ll feel. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and everyone has to start somewhere. Even the fittest person at the gym was once a beginner and may have felt anxious about going. But by understanding the root of anxiety and challenging it, you can turn going to the gym into a positive experience.

If you like this then check out these posts Getting Started At The Gym and How to Stay Motivated to Achieve Your Fitness Goals!

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