How You Can Overcome Gym Anxiety
By Sara Butler
You have to exercise in order to be healthy but falling off the workout wagon is easy to do. If you lose your fitness, then you have no choice but to start over at square one. When faced with that and the idea of starting all over again at the gym, a lot of people start to feel anxious and intimidated and going to the gym becomes a barrier to a healthier lifestyle. If this sounds familiar, there are some strategies you can use to kick gym anxiety to the curb for good. Here are some tips to help make those first few trips back to the gym just a little bit easier.
You're Not Alone
First and foremost, it's important to understand that you're not alone when it comes to stressing out about the gym. Many people feel overwhelmed at first but go on to have great success. There are three reasons behind most people's fear of returning to the gym, which includes:
- Fear of starting - Creating a new routine is, well, scary. People usually like to stick with the routines they're used to, so it's safer to put off starting a new fitness routine than it is to work on improving your health through exercise.
- Fear of failure - Working out isn't easy and if you fixate on the worst outcomes or exercises, then you're setting yourself up for failure. You also might be worried that you'll get to the gym and not understand how to use a piece of equipment or you won't be able to make it through an entire group exercise class.
- Fear of not being as fit - When you were once fit, it can be daunting to come to an understanding of just how unfit you have become. This can be a discouraging thought that makes getting to the gym even tougher.
A Few Fitness Tips
Do those fears look familiar? Probably! But you can overcome them and work on your fitness with a few simple tips. You should:
- Go to the gym - Just walking through the door is an accomplishment. Even if the first few times you simply go to the gym to get the lay of the land and make yourself feel more comfortable, do it.
- Do something familiar - Don't focus on what you don't know, but what you do. Start out on a machine that you're comfortable with and work your way up from there.
- Find the right gym - Do some research and find a gym that makes you feel comfortable or is geared toward people who are just like you
The gym is nothing to fear. Follow these tips and you'll be back in the saddle before you know it!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Fontana, Calif.