Gym anxiety – aka ‘gymtimidation’ – is a real thing. In fact, at the end of 2022, #ShyGirlWorkouts were trending massively and accrued millions of videos in a bid to help others beat gymtimidation and overcome feelings of worry in the gym.
So how can you put gymtimidation to bed for good, so you can continue smashing your goals with confidence? Here are my top five tips…
1. Set up your workout corner in the gym
Gyms are busy, there’s no doubt about it. Especially if you’re heading there during a peak time like before or after work. But all you need is a little bit of space on the floor to get a workout in. And by creating your own zone, or space, you’ll feel more confident in your surroundings, which can help beat gymtimidation. And, plus, it’s during floorwork that you can tap into the beauty of strength, ab-focused or low impact type workouts.
So lay out a matt, grab those dumbbells, kettle bells or whatever resistance you would like to use and voila, you’re ready to get started. Once you’ve set yourself up you’ll most likely feel more inspired to get stuck in and less likely to be anxious about what you’re doing.
2. Get your workout ready to go
If you can, know what workout you’re going to do before you get to the gym. If you walk into the gym with a plan in advance, not only should the motivation kick in, but it will give you a sense of focus and determination to get that workout done. Hello productive hour, goodbye gymtimidation.
3. Pump the tunes
Enough said! Get a playlist going that will boost your mood and fire up your energy and they’re a sure way to get you in the zone. Music can be a great confidence booster and you’ll probably be so busy listening to your music, you won’t even notice the people around you.
4. Start habit stacking
A term used a lot by our head trainer Danny is habit stacking – accomplishing a series of small, sustainable and achievable goals by stacking habits or routines together. It is a far more effective way to change or build on healthy habits and ensure they’re maintained in the long term. If you start creating some consistency in your gym routine you’re also more likely to become more familiar and confident with your surroundings, meaning any anxiety you feel will ease away.
5. Focus on YOU
Remember, everyone is focused on their own workout and no one is paying attention to what you’re doing! Don’t worry about what others are doing – the only person that matters in the room is you. Focus on you with your end goal in mind – to move your body and feel amazing.
About Steph Claire Smith
Steph is the COO and co-founder of Australian health and wellness app Kic. She’s incredibly passionate about using her past experiences with toxic diet and exercise culture to help others build a healthy relationship with food and exercise. Steph has owned multiple successful businesses, is a proud mum to her son Harvey, host of the KICBUMP podcast, co-host of the KICPOD, author of A Girl’s Guide to Kicking Goals and has over 80 health food products stocked in supermarkets across Australia.
