One of the most daunting things I did in the early stages of this journey was to join a gym. It was daunting enough joining the female only gym let alone joining a ‘real’ gym.
My first day at the ‘real’ gym I only managed to use the cardio equipment as they were the only things I could fumble my way through knowing how to use.
Luckily the second time around I had a PT who had prepared a (basic) plan for me and showed me how to do everything on the plan. This very first plan I got a taste of the equipment, and also began my long standing love for the Leg press.
Every 8 weeks after this first plan I went for a re-assessment (weigh & measure) and had a new plan written for me. Along the way I change the trainer I used and the second one ‘got me’ and it all just clicked and I starting making some progress.
Here are a few tips for overcoming the daunting feeling you get when you first go to the gym;
- Don’t let them sense your fear, be confident!
- Stick to the machines / weights you know how to use the first couple of times.
- Hire a trainer (or if you’re lucky most gyms will give you a basic plan free with your membership) to give you at least a couple of different plans.
- Take a friend along. Double the fun and you feel more inclined to try things you’re not sure about when you’re not the only one that may potentially make a fool of themselves. (But seriously, no one else cares what you’re doing!).
- Go to a class at the gym (take aforementioned friend if it makes you feel more comfortable), ideally a pump class or something like this that uses dumb bells and bar bells as this will give you an idea of some simple free weight exercises you can use next time you’re in the gym.
- Go outside of the peak hours – during the working day or early in the morning on a weekend are generally pretty quiet.
- Ask a trainer for help (that’s what they are there for after all).
- If you’re really unsure and don’t want to ask someone, look up some simple exercises on the internet and choose a few that look easy enough to perform (and use a light weight for at least your first set).
- If your gym of choice has a ladies only area and you’re not too sure about the ‘big scary weights and guys’ (I was like this the first few times I went to the gym, now I go out with one (big scary guy that is, not scary weights – that would be weird) – jokes babe! Your not scary ;)) then head to that area, gain some confidence doing your workout in this area as there are generally less people to watch you (although seriously, people don’t really get weird and stare, or if they do I am oblivious to it).
- Take your IPod, but don’t have it on too loud. Music makes the workout more enjoyable in my opinion. You also notice other people less which helps remove that daunting feeling as you are focusing on what you’re doing, not how other people perceive what you are doing.
- Have fun!