Ballerific Health – Overcoming Gym Intimidation

The gym could be a scary place for some. You picture walking into a large building full of beautiful people with perfect bodies and you feel like all eyes are on you. The one with the flabby arms and pudgy stomach. You feel like they’re staring and whispering, judging you because you don’t look like “them”. It’s enough to have you cancel your membership and go running for the hills. The gym is a very intimidating place for many and one of the reasons some sign up, go once, and never come back. When I first gained weight I was that person. Someone who was once an in shape regular at the gym coming back after a long hiatus 20 lbs heavier. I felt like everyone was staring at me and judging me. Ironically at that time my main gym was a place that boasted being a “Judgement Free Zone” yet some how I felt like I was always being judged. I still went because I was determined to get back in shape and over time it got less and less intimidating. Here is how I overcame my Gym Intimidation.

1. Remember Everyone Had to Start Somewhere: Most of these people were just like you when they started. No one at any gym was born with 6 pack abs, and if they were I hope they donate sperm because I want my future kids to have their genes. Everyone had to start from square one. That buff guy checking himself out in the mirror was once a scrawny adolescent. That chick squatting 120 lbs on the Smith Machine couldn’t even lift the bar at one point. If it took no effort for these people to look the way they did they wouldn’t have a gym membership.

2. Invest in Noise Cancelling Headphones: Once I put my Skull Candy on I’m in my own little world. It’s me, my music, and my free weights. I forget other people are in the gym sometimes to the point that I catch my shy self dancing between sets. For me, if I can find a way to eliminate background noise I can eliminate everything that goes with it including the people and their judgemental ways.

3. It’s All in Your Head: 9 times out of 10, these people don’t give a damn about you. Sure you get those few who come to the gym just to sight see, not really focused on their fitness, but most people are there trying to get their workout done and that’s it.  They’re trying to lose that last 10 lbs or prepping for a figure competition. They’re not worry about you! As long as you don’t take their bench or curl in their squat rack you really don’t have to worry about anybody. Once I realized this it made going to the gym much easier.  Most times this Gym Intimidation thing is all mental.

The gym doesn’t have to be a scary place. Just remember that you’re there for your health and nothing and no one else.