Going to a physical gym where other people can see you sweat and awkwardly squat, while being self-conscious about your technique, your clothes and your fitness level is honestly a big factor of people quitting the gym after just going once. Trust me, going to the gym and making it a routine part of your life is very hard and nerve-wracking at first, and that’s why I’m here to help! I started going to the gym regularly last October after only working out from the comfort of my home. The very first thing I had to do is change my mind set about the gym and instead of seeing it like a chore, I saw it as a fun activity or something I could do to distract myself or relax.
Mindset is where the magic happens
As I already mentioned, mindset is very important. If you hate the gym, you probably won’t go to the gym. Try and analyse why you dislike going and then try to brainstorm some more positive feelings when you attend. For example, there might be some post-gym, fun activities you can do to look forward to. In my case, it was a salt bath and self-care. Once you no longer see the gym as a thing you have to do to stay healthy, and more so as the place where you can go to feel healthier and in tune with your body, your mindset might shift
No one is looking
Personally, a big blocker from was actually going to the gym alone and having people judge my weight, my technique, my routine etc. I also hated the idea of working out near men, I had seen too many TikTok stories and just generally felt uncomfortable by the idea. Once I actually made it in and stuck to my routine, I realised that it really doesn’t matter what you dress like or what you do, everyone is too busy with their own routine to care about yours. So do all the little workouts you want to do!
Don’t go every day
People often think that once you start going to the gym the only sure way to stick to it and get results is to work out none stop all week. That’s not true and can prove to be counterproductive. Realistically speaking you should only be committing three/four days to the gym. Don’t pressure your body and listen to it carefully, if your body and mind are both exhausted give yourself a much deserved break.
You don’t need to invest in Gym Shark
Going to the gym has almost become a marketing/ pyramid scheme. People go to the gym once and buy five pairs of leggings worth a kidney and a lung, and then invest in fifteen different protein powders and three water bottles. You don’t need to spend your money on gym related wear promoted by influences. Buy clothes that are comfortable both budget wise and physical comfort. You can use any water bottle, and realistically you don’t necessarily need pre-workout or protein powder unless you have a medical reason or if you are going in to grow muscle and commit to more serious workout regimes.
Remember, you are going to the gym for you, not for other people. Take breaks if YOU feel the need to. Buy gym wear YOU like rather than one that you think others will approve of. Focus on your self-growth and self-healing, the gym should not be a place of self-hatred, so allow your body and mind to rest appropriately and if you need someone to be there and help you create a workout plan, reach out to the gym staff or ask someone for a recommendation for their personal trainer.