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Fear of the gym? You do not know the causes of occurrence and how to overcome them. It’s time to deal with this.
Every beginner faces fears of the gym. The most common ones are formulated something like this: “Everyone will look at me”, “I don’t know how to handle the simulators”, “My results are weak.” In this article, we will analyze the causes of fears and how to overcome them.
Why is it pointless to be afraid to go to the gym?
First, let’s look at the meaninglessness of fear from a global perspective. Going to the gym is a healthy habit that helps you improve your health and appearance. Washing your hands before eating is also a good habit that helps to be healthy. After all, you are unlikely to be afraid of washing your hands, even if it needs to be done in front of everyone. It’s the same with the gym – you accustom yourself to a new useful habit.
All fears sit in the head and have nothing to do with reality. It’s time to deal with this once and for all!
1. “I will be uncomfortable”
In an unfamiliar and unusual environment, many may feel uncomfortable – this is normal. The solution is simple – pull yourself together, try to overcome the feeling of discomfort and go to the gym for a couple of weeks – there will be no trace of this feeling.
2. “I’ll last a couple of weeks at most”
Being afraid to quit training before you even start going to the gym is a big mistake. Don’t think that the gym is just daily hours of hard work. Everything works completely differently. Start exercising in the gym at a comfortable rhythm and according to a convenient schedule, so that you have fun. Even if you decide to visit the club twice a week for an hour or an hour and a half, this is already a step forward and a big progress.
3. “I’m afraid of getting hurt or damaged”
Classes in the gym will never lead to injuries if you perform the exercises correctly and follow the banal safety precautions. In the gym, you will always be surrounded not only by professional instructors (who will always prompt and stop if they notice even the slightest hint of injury), but also by experienced visitors who will definitely not stand aside and give practical advice.
4. “Everyone will look at me”
Just imagine. You are visiting the gym for the first time. Go to the dumbbells, set up a fitness bracelet for activity. And at some point you notice how all 75 people in the hall are staring at you. Uncomfortable feeling. Only in reality, people come to the gym to take care of themselves and concentrate on themselves: they pull the barbell, work out on simulators, look in the mirror, after all. Attention will be paid to you only to help or suggest how to use the simulator correctly.
5. “I don’t know how to handle the machines”
Fear immediately disappears if you practice with personal trainer. Already at the first lesson, he will explain how everything works and how to handle the simulators. Okay, if you work out on your own, then any self-respecting gym has a trainer on duty. His task is precisely to instruct beginners and help. In extreme cases, you can always turn to those involved for advice and help. You will definitely meet halfway, because everyone was once also a beginner.
6. “My results are weak”
Of course, at first you yourself will seem weak compared to the rest. There is nothing wrong with the fact that the first few months the results will be low. Let’s repeat the thought from the last paragraph: everyone was once a beginner.
7. “I don’t have time for anything, and the gym will exacerbate the problem”
This is an excuse, and you yourself know about it. Start planning things for a couple of days in advance, and you will immediately have free time and enough energy not only for fitness. Never forget that many fears are subjective and only exist in your head. Deal with them, smash them to smithereens with the help of willpower and logic, and very soon you will remember with a smile all that scared you so much.
First session at the gym. How to properly prepare?
The fact is that classes in the gym have a social component. The first time, when adaptation has not yet taken place, you may feel uncomfortable. Here are some simple guidelines to help you:
- Realize your purpose. The lion’s share of beginners give up after the first lesson. The reason is banal – there is no purpose. And if there is a conscious understanding of “why”, then even the most difficult approaches will be performed.
- Comfortable clothes and shoes. It makes no sense to immediately spend money on expensive uniforms. Take with you the sportswear that you feel comfortable in. As you progress in training, you will already know what to walk in.
- Water and food. Grab a bottle of still water. It will be needed to restore balance in the body. Regarding nutrition – never exercise on an empty stomach or right after eating.
- Admit your inexperience. The psyche is so arranged that if you accept and acknowledge your fear, then the soul becomes easier. For this reason (especially on the first day), when asking questions of coaches or experienced people in the gym, do not be afraid to say that you are a beginner.
- Start keeping a workout diary. The best motivation is to keep track of your progress. Starting to keep a diary of classes from the first day, you fix the starting point. And is it important.
The result?
Having a fear of the gym is normal. But now you know how to overcome it. The best assistants in overcoming fears of the gym for you will be: personal motivation and recognition of your condition. Fear will pass, but health and muscles will remain. The main thing is to enter into the habit of exercising in the gym and not be afraid of anything.