Confession: I love my gym. My gym is my stress-reliever, my playground, my community, my support system, and my friend. Is it weird to think of the gym as a friend? No, definitely not…

My gym is a lot of things to me, but it hasn’t always been that way. When I first joined the gym I was shy, I was intimidated, and I felt a little lost as I considered the use of many of the contraptions scattered through the building.

 

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When I first joined a gym I was a cardio fanatic. I had just gotten into running and had set a goal of completing a half marathon that year. At that time, my go-to for every single gym session was the treadmill. Only the treadmill. While on “the mill”, I would watch the other gym-goers using the weight machines and free weights. I knew I needed to incorporate strength training into my workout if I wanted to successfully meet my goal. But…

…I was SHY. Which is totally normal. But, it was definitely holding me back. I didn’t have the confidence to make my way from the safety of the cardio machines into the rest of the gym. As I watched from my treadmill, it was obvious to me that the people who used these machines knew exactly what they were doing. Most already had rippling muscles. They deftly changed the settings of each machine, the seat height, the weight; they knew exactly what they needed to do and how to do it.

I, on the other hand, had M-I-N-I-M-A-L knowledge when it came to strength training. Once upon a time took a one-credit weight-training course in college, and truthfully all I remembered was how much I hated the sit-ups we were required to do.

I don’t remember exactly how or when I worked up the courage to cross that line of cardio machines. But, I do remember telling myself I HAD to. I distinctly remember telling myself not to let the people with rippling muscles intimidate me. I knew that I would never accomplish my goals if I let the unknown scare me.

And honestly, that was the beginning. From there, I spent time outside the gym refreshing myself on proper technique and muscle movement. I researched the best movements to strengthen the body for my goal. I started going to the gym with intention, not just to run, but also to lift and get stronger.

My story is personal, and not everyone can relate directly to my experiences. But, there are certain things that everyone can do to build confidence and begin to walk into the gym like you OWN the place.

10 Ways to Hit the Gym with Confidence

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1. Do your research on the equipment

A big obstacle for many gym-goers is the scary equipment (that sometimes resembles torture devices). If you are unsure what something is or how to properly use it, ask someone! Most gyms have staff that will explain the in’s and out’s of each machine. Asking a personal trainer or instructor will ensure you’re getting the right information and using proper technique.

2. Appropriate clothing

Am I telling you to go shopping? Maybe… But for real, appropriate work out gear is essential. If you’re a runner, get fitted for running shoes (it makes a WORLD of difference). Ladies, do you have the enough support up top? A well-fitting sports bra can be a game-changer. Also, a fresh pair of leggings and a cute top always boosts my overall happiness. If you feel good in your work out gear, you’ll want to show it off, right? RIGHT!

3. Go with a goal in mind

Walk through those big double doors knowing exactly what you want to accomplish that day. Cardio day? Strength day? Create a daily or weekly plan with your fitness goals in mind and avoid the awkward moments where you wander around the gym randomly touching equipment and then aimlessly walk away.

4. Take a class

If you’re struggling with creating a plan, look up the gym’s group fitness class schedule. Instant plan! Let the instructor tell you what to do. Spend a few weeks (or forever!) attending classes to build up your confidence to branch out and figure out your own goals. Try a variety of classes to find what feels best to you. Every class, and every instructor, has a different vibe that you might connect with.

5. Bring a friend

Strength in numbers is a real thing! Just like bringing a “wing man” to the bar, bring a “wing man” to the gym! Working out with a buddy makes the awkward moments, when your not 100% sure of what you’re doing, sooo much better. You can laugh with each other and encourage each other to push through the hard workouts.

6. Make a friend

Believe it or not, the gym is full of people JUST. LIKE. YOU. I know that at times it seems like everyone else has a PhD in fitness while you’re just trying to NOT fall off the elliptical. But the truth is, everyone at the gym is there with the same goals in mind – to improve their health. Strike up a conversation with the people you see at the gym on a consistent basis. Making friends with these like-minded people will give you an extra reason to get excited about hitting the gym. AND it will hold you accountable to continue showing up, because its one thing to skip a gym-session, but its quite another to bail on a friend, right?

7. Soundtrack your workout

Tune out everyone else in the gym with your personalized playlist. Include whatever moves and motivates you. Do you LOVE explicit gangsta rap or Broadway musical showtunes? No one has to know what you’re listening to (unless you unknowingly start to sing…).

8. Don’t compare yourself to others

Fitness is personal. Everyone has they’re own journey. Don’t compare yourself at “Day 1” to someone else who might be on “Day 523,597,123” of his or her journey. You don’t know their story, the struggles they’ve faced, or the successes they’ve had.

9. Avoid the crowds

If you can’t shake the feeling that everyone is looking at you, try going to the gym when no one else is there. Find out when the gym is the LEAST busy and you can have it all (or at least mostly) to yourself. Use the quiet time to get familiar with equipment you are unsure about or movements you’ve never attempted before. Then, take that new knowledge with you. Once you’ve found your groove you’ll have more confidence performing those same exercises when the gym is busier.

10. OWN IT

Whatever you do at the gym, do it 100%. You didn’t buy that membership to give 50% effort, right? Shake off whatever fears might be holding you back, and remember your WHY’S for showing up. It does not matter who’s looking at you or why. You are there for YOU. OWN your work out. Channel your inner Beyonce and slay!

 

Have any of these tips worked for you? What else gives you confidence in the gym?

Comment below!

 

For a few more fitness tips, click here for my Top 5 Fitness FAILS and how you can avoid these common mistakes!