Deal with “gymtimidation” head-on so you can focus on what’s really important: your workout
You’re at the gym sweating uncontrollably and your heart is racing a mile a minute—but it’s not because you’re working out, it’s because you’ve got what’s known as gym anxiety, or “gymtimidation.” Gym anxiety happens to the best of us, but it can make developing a workout routine even more challenging than it already is. So how do you cope with your nerves—and what causes them, anyway? We’ve got you covered: in this article, we’ll explore what gym anxiety is, common triggers, and how to deal with your anxiety so you can work out with confidence.
Things You Should Know
- Overcome gym anxiety by taking a buddy with you to the gym: you'll feel more at ease, especially if they go to the gym often and can show you the ropes.
- Figure out your routine as much as possible before going to the gym so you don't feel too overwhelmed once you get there.
- Try to channel your anxiety into excitement: instead of dreading going to the gym, try to look at it as a thrilling new experience.
Steps
Section 3 of 4:
Common Triggers of Gym Anxiety
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You’re a beginner. Starting something new is almost always daunting. [9] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source If you’re new to gym life or to working out in general, you’re likely to feel some anxiety on your first day at the gym just because you don’t know what’s going to happen: what equipment are you supposed to use? How do you use it? What if you mess up and everyone laughs at you? (You might logically know that they won’t, but it doesn't necessarily help.)
- Being a beginner is often hard, but the societal pressure that often accompanies working out—the pressure to be fit and conform to a specific body type—can increase your anxiety tenfold.
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You don’t feel like you belong. If you ever had to transfer to a new school in the middle of the year, going to the gym for the first time might bring back unpleasant flashbacks of feeling like the “new kid.” You might feel like everyone has a clique already, and that you’ll just never fit in. [10] X Research source
- It’s not just that the people at the gym are strangers; you might also feel like they’re solidly entrenched in “gym culture,” and you’re…well, not (yet!).
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You’ve just switched gyms. Even if you’re no stranger to gym life, a new gym is a new gym. Adapting to change is always hard: there’s new equipment, a new layout, new people, new policies. If you’ve recently switched to a different gym, you might understandably worry about not fitting in with the new crowd or that things might work differently here than at your old haunt. [11] X Research source
- What if you have to go to the bathroom and you can’t find it? You used to end your workouts with a refreshing smoothie, but what if this gym doesn’t have a smoothie bar? These might be small concerns on their own, but figuring out a whole new routine can be incredibly nerve-wracking.
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You have to change in front of people. If you have to change in a public locker room, it can cause a lot of stress, especially if you’re not comfortable with your body. [12] X Research source Some people change at home before going to the gym, but if you’re coming to the gym straight from work, it might not be an option.
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Social comparison. Many people struggle with comparing themselves to others, and the gym is a really easy place to do that. If you’re new to the gym and uncertain about whether you belong and maybe self-conscious about your body or your abilities, you might find yourself unfairly comparing yourself to the Arnold Schwarzenegger-looking guy lifting weights in the corner. [13] X Research source
- Not only is it discouraging to compare yourself to gym buffs, but you might also worry that other people in the gym are comparing you too. It can really mess with your head!
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The gym is super crowded. If you’re nervous around crowds, going to the gym at peak hours can leave you feeling like your heart’s going to burst out of your chest. Being stuck in a crowd of strangers can be overwhelming enough on its own, but having to work out amongst them can really make you anxious. [14] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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You’re a woman trying to use male-dominated equipment. Working out isn’t just for dudes, but there’s still a lot of societal pressure on women to only work out in certain ways or to leave certain equipment to the men. If you’re a woman who wants to try strength training, it can be intimidating to go to the gym and see only men using that equipment. [15] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health Go to source
- Even if nobody says anything, you might still feel uncomfortable being the only woman using a male-dominated piece of equipment.
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References
- ↑ https://www.perfectgym.com/en/blog/club-owners/when-gym-least-busy
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/4-7-8-breathing/
- ↑ https://www.insider.com/how-to-make-yourself-go-to-the-gym-2018-7
- ↑ https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/xge-a0035325.pdf
- ↑ https://www.acefitness.org/resources/everyone/blog/7021/is-comparison-sabotaging-your-success/
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4552681/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/symptoms-causes/syc-20350961
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4276319/
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/from-functioning-to-flourishing/201905/do-your-people-feel-like-they-belong
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/stretching-theory/202206/is-fear-change-holding-you-back
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-clarity/201804/dealing-body-image-issues
- ↑ https://www.acefitness.org/resources/everyone/blog/7021/is-comparison-sabotaging-your-success/
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/social-anxiety-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353561
- ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5955292/
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