Overcoming Gym Anxiety
By Caroline Patafio
When it comes to working out, getting to the gym and committing yourself to going is only half of the battle. Sometimes, no matter how badly you want to go, you might experience feelings of anxiety. I have seen so many articles about how to motivate yourself to workout and go to the gym, but nothing that addresses how the gym might be scary not because of the physical expenditure it requires, but the judgement you might feel while you are there. Although the gym is supposed to be a safe place to exercise, there is a common fear of people judging you while you’re there. Maybe you think about running into people from class, or if people will think you are going too slow, or that you are not lifting heavy enough weights, or you are not in good enough shape to be there. This overwhelming feeling of not “fitting in” at the gym is not unusual. In fact, most people feel the same, regardless of their fitness level. No matter how many times you tell yourself that nobody is staring at you or judging your work out, you still might not be convinced.
I’ve worked on overcoming my gym anxiety by both mentally and physically preparing ahead of time. Before I go to the gym, I try to put on something comfortable. Most times this looks like leggings, a tank top, and comfortable socks. I have tried wearing sets that fitness influencers always seem to have, but I found I spent more time tugging at my clothes than I was focusing on my workout. Secondly, I always try to make sure my headphones are charged and untangled so that when I get to the gym I can listen to music, podcasts, or Netflix. Also, I have found that planning out my workout beforehand eliminates the sitting around aspect that makes me feel a little awkward. In this plan, I include backups because sometimes the gym is really packed. For instance, for cardio I don’t limit myself to running but also think about using the stairmaster or erg, or maybe doing some floor and strength exercises until a cardio machine opens up.
Even though these little practices make me feel better about working out in a gym, I still feel anxious sometimes. In those moments, I try to remind myself that just as I am going there to work on my own goals, so is everyone else. Nobody is staring at you or judging your workout because everyone there is equally focused on what they are doing. The gym is meant to be a place to work on yourself and accomplish your own goals. Although it may cause anxiety, try to remember that lots of people feel the same worries that you do, and remember to put the focus on your workout goals!
