Building Confidence in the Gym: Tips for Beginners
- Kaitlyn Marie Redmore
- Apr 13, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Oct 25, 2023
We have all been there. Yes, even those crazy fit and muscular guys and girls in the gym, we all started somewhere.
I can assure you, no one came into this world lifting weights straight out of the womb.
Just like when we are young, we need to learn and acquire skills. Not everything comes to us naturally, we have to wire up our brains to complete certain tasks in certain ways.
Just like taking our very first steps, heading into the gym for the first time can be scary. The difference is, when we are young, we do not realise the significance of learning to walk and we do not worry about falling down.
However, when we start going to the gym, you may have a million different thoughts running through your head:
“I have no idea what I’m doing”
“What is this!?”
“Am I doing this right?”
“Is anyone looking at me?”
“Omg maybe I shouldn’t be here”
“I should just leave before I embarrass myself”.
Does any of these sound familiar?
If it does, you are certainly not alone!
Just like when we are young, we need to walk before we run!
Sometimes just heading to the gym and sussing out what equipment they have can be enough for one day.
As humans, we thrive in comfort. If we feel uncomfortable, many of us will coil into ourselves and shy away in order to protect ourselves. It is one of the many peculiar things about being human! And you know what? It’s so normal and more than okay to feel like that sometimes!
Now that we know how normal this feeling of uncertainty is when we first start going to the gym. Let’s discuss some tips and tricks you can do to gain some confidence in the gym…
Walk around your gym and start to familiarise yourself with what equipment you have access to.
Start small and build on your workouts. Maybe the first time you actually do a workout in the gym, you might just hop on the treadmill for 10 minutes. Something is ALWAYS better than nothing.
Ask the gym floor staff if they have a few moments to show you a few basics. Most gyms have gym floor staff wandering around during staffed hours so utilise them! Many will be so willing to help, you just need to ask!
Find a gym buddy. Training with someone can be great for motivation, it can help you gain a little more confidence as you are not by yourself, and it can actually be super fun!
Consider investing in a quality fitness Coach or Personal Trainer to show you the ropes! This can be great for gaining confidence and also helps to prevent injuries as you will be taught proper lifting techniques.
Know that you have just as much right as anyone else to be in the gym! Do not let anyone make you feel like you don’t belong, just because you are new!
And always remember, we ALL start somewhere!
Take control of your journey and commit to your goals! You may surprise yourself, and the gym may start to become one of your favourite places if you give it some time!
