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How To Manage Gym Intimidation

The main reason for not joining a gym can include a plethora of reasons. People can either feel that they’re too busy to use their gym membership, or perhaps that a gym is too far away. Some people may also think that the $20-$40 a month they spend on a membership is too much and can have a negative impact on their budget. That’s a reasonable, acceptable excuse.

However, there is another, more common reason people do not join a gym. While it may not be the most admitted reason, it still holds true – people are scared and intimidated of gyms. The concept of walking through a huge, wide open space with dozens if not hundreds of machinery that you’re unfamiliar with is enough to cause reluctance However, combine this with the fact that you will be doing this in front of people that are experienced and most likely in shape and it becomes that more daunting.

Fortunately, there are a variety of choices for you when it comes to selecting a gym to workout and each of these gyms offer a different kind of atmosphere. You need to find a gym that is appealing to both you and your experience level.

Why are gyms so intimidating?

So you know how to find a gym that makes you feel the most comfortable, you have to consider the reasons why you may find gyms are intimidating. Use the following to determine what exactly scares you about a gym and find a place that counterbalances your fears.

• Wide open spaces. Many people are very shy when it comes to working out in tight clothes, or clothes that may not look so appealing. This is where a large gym with a wide open space of viewing may not be ideal for you. Typically, health clubs have rows of cardio machines lined up across the floor of one major room. You can see dozens of people working out, and dozens of people can see you.
• Unfamiliar territory. You are given a quick 20 minute tour by salespeople, but you don’t know what any of the machinery is. You don’t know the rules for machinery, if you have to wipe each piece of equipment down after use, if there are time limits, etc. You don’t even know how half the machinery on the floor works, let alone etiquette.
• Pushy salespeople. If you’re shy and want to keep a low profile going to the gym, a salesperson that pushes people aside to talk to you and to keep you attentive may not help with this cause. While there are some health clubs that aren’t pushy, some surely will push you to sign on a dotted line for a contract.
• The hot bods. Let’s face it, if you’re going to the gym – there is some part of your body that you disapprove of. You may be a little bit overweight, or you may be a lot overweight. Regardless, it’s hard to workout and get a rhythm when there are 25-year old models with perfect abs (see ab workouts for toning your abs) working out beside you. Not only can it distract you, but it will more than likely intimidate you. It’s important though if you face this scenario to remember that everyone was a beginner at one point of their gym-going lives.

If you’ve looked and can’t find a gym that works for you, you can always consider private health clubs, wellness centers, and as always, you can just workout at home.

You can easily find gyms in your area by using tools like Muscle and Strength's "Find a Gym" tool.

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