‘Gymxiety’ or gym anxiety refers to feeling uneasy, anxious, or worried about attending a gym & working out.
It’s normal to feel a little nervous or intimidated when trying something new, but don’t let that stop you from starting. Remember that everyone has to start somewhere, and no one is expecting you to be an expert from day one.
As someone who’s suffered her fair share of gymxiety, here are three things which helped me get to a place of confidence in the gym.
Choosing the Right Gym
First, choose a gym which meets your needs. For example, if you prefer group exercise classes, check a gym’s class schedule before committing. You won’t feel comfortable at a gym where you’re put off from your planned exercise because of the facilities, so get this in check before starting.
Second, choose a gym which makes you feel comfortable. If you’re new to the gym, you might prefer one with lots of friendly and qualified staff. You’ll find it a lot easier to attend a gym where you’re happy asking for help.
For me, Beckwith Health Club met all of the above criteria.
The staff are expertly trained and happy to help with demos, tours, and questions, while always giving you the space and privacy you need for your workouts.
It’s held the title of Harrogate’s friendliest gym for the last 22 years for a reason!
The gym is large and has great strength training equipment, which is my favourite, but it also has lots of classes. I love having a yoga studio and workout area all in one place!
Check out Beckwith’s facilities here.
Starting Off with a PT
One of the reasons I had gymxiety when I started out was because I didn’t have any confidence in my routine or form. I was also new to strength training and wasn’t sure how to plan my workouts. For example, when I was doing deadlifts, I felt like the experienced lifters were seeing me and thinking it was all wrong.
First of all, this probably wasn’t happening because people go to the gym to focus on themselves and their own fitness journey, not yours. But, what really helped to improve my confidence in the gym was working with a Beckwith PT.
After a few sessions together, we figured out an exercise routine for me to achieve my fitness goals. This meant every day I went in, I knew exactly what exercises I’d be doing, and I’d practiced them with a PT beforehand. No stressing about my form!
At Beckwith Health Club, you can book a 1:1 Goal Setting appointment with one of our excellent PTs. They’ll discuss your targets & create a personalised exercise programme which they’ll then take you through. The gym can also give you a new joiner induction so you know what’s where! Goal setting sessions will set you on the right path to achieve your fitness goals. Learn more about booking this in here!
Remember: everyone was a beginner once
Your mentality is the main thing that’ll help build your confidence in the gym. It’s normal to feel anxious, but remember that everyone was a beginner once.
So, book in with a PT to make a plan, learn the moves, and find a gym you’re happy with. The only things left to do after are going to the gym and focusing on how good you’ll feel after those first few sessions!
