photo credit: ctr
For a lot of people even just thinking about the gym conjures up negatives feelings and brings them out into a cold sweat. They imagine hordes of super toned men and women flexing their huge muscles and chatting over a protein shake. A lot of ladies feel like they will not fit in but what they will actually find is that gyms are full of normal people who just want to lose a bit of weight and get fitter. If you have never been to the gym before your initial visit can be very scary and you will likely feel a little self-conscious. There are a number of things that you can do to try and battle your gym anxieties and make yourself feel more comfortable.
Find a gym that is just for women
Ladies only gyms are not as scary of unisex gyms which are often full of large men making odd noises when they are trying to lift enormous weights. Women tend to feel much more freedom at a single sex gym and you will find that there will be women of all shapes, sizes and ages who have the same goals as you do.
Choose the right gym wear
When choosing gym clothes don’t get caught up in thinking that you need to look fashionable. Try a combination of different things on and find something that is comfortable, breathable and fits well. Try bending in all sorts of different positions and check that your top doesn’t ride up or that you shorts don’t become too short when you stretch. All these things could cause embarrassment in the gym and will only add to your gym anxiety. Have a look at what the other women are wearing and you will see a mixture of big t-shirts, little strappy vests, long tracksuit bottoms and running shorts. Just find what works for you.
See an advisor
When you join a gym for the first time you will usually be booked in to see an advisor who will show you round and introduce the different pieces of equipment to you. Some people choose not to have this appointment and end up trying to get to grips with the machines themselves. However, if you are a bit nervous then having someone show you how to use everything and do the exercises correctly will only serve to boost your confidence. You could even take it a step further and book into see a personal trainer who can put a structured plan together for you to follow.
Overall you should never let anything stop you from doing something that you want to do. Joining a gym for the first time is a big step but one that is definitely worth taking! It’s fun, will help you to shape up and you will also make some great friends!
About the author: Sam works with a fantastic gym Cheltenham. She especially likes to help women in the areas of fitness and has a passion for running.
Thanks for the tips. I thought enrolling in a gym would be very complex, since you do not know what to do first, what to wear and where you will first go.