If you’ve ever stepped foot in the gym and been knocked down with a wave of intimidation, embarrassment, or overwhelm, you’ve fallen victim to gym anxiety. According to PureGym, one of the UK’s leading health clubs, 56% of both gym goers and non-gym goers feel the same.
So, in this blog, we’ll share how to get over gym anxiety to reach your fitness goals without fear!
6 Tips for Overcoming Gym Anxiety
- Focus On You
One of the most common worries associated with gym anxiety is that it feels as if all eyes are on you – critiquing your form and questioning your fitness. But gym goers, just like you, are there with one purpose – to work on their physical health. Ignore what everyone else is doing, get the job done, and give yourself a pat on the back!
- Find Quiet or Private Spaces
If the machine or equipment you were planning to use is in a crowded spot, find a quiet area instead and go back later. Adjusting your routine won’t affect your goals, but giving in to the anxiety and heading home will.
One of the biggest tips for women specifically on how to deal with gym anxiety is to sign up to a health club with a women’s only area. There, you may feel safer, less intimidated, and more empowered.
- Play Your Favourite Music
Listening to music releases a wave of dopamine – the happy chemical – into the body! So, creating an uplifting gym playlist will definitely get the good vibes flowing and help you feel a little more relaxed during your session. Plus, it allows you to focus your attention on the beat or lyrics, distracting you from the anxieties of the gym.
- Take a Friend
Whether they’re a regular gym goer, have been once or twice, or are a complete newbie, recruiting a friend to join you at the gym is always a good idea.
Simply being with someone you trust can ease feelings of anxiety and make even the toughest of tasks seem more bearable. But they can also be a great source of motivation, are handy for spotting during weight training, and definitely hold you more accountable.
- Research Gym Equipment
Knowing how to use the machines and equipment correctly can take time, patience, and often requires a little guidance. So, if this is something you just can’t bear when you go to the gym, do your research beforehand.
There are endless videos and step-by-step tutorials online that can help you beat the gym anxiety to bust out a killer session.
- Reward Your Efforts
You deserve to celebrate your hard work! But leaving the gym to tuck into a flavourless bowl of chicken and rice is not very rewarding. Dishes that taste as incredible as how they make your mind and body feel are what it’s all about. And that’s exactly where freshly prepped food from The Good Prep comes in.
Our meal prep service delivers super-fresh, nutritious, and undeniably mouthwatering dishes straight to your door to help you achieve your health and wellness goals. Build your weekly meal plan here!