Tips for Navigating the Gym
I recently joined a commercial, normal type gym for the first time in a very long time. Honestly, it’s the first “real” commercial gym membership I’ve purchased on my own, because I have simply always just worked out in the weight room of whatever school I was playing or working at. But my life altered once again (shocking) and the time came for me to join one. I do like the gym I have joined very much, and I’ve been enjoying my time there! But if I’m being honest, it was a bit of an adjustment at first and opened my eyes to things about ~gym culture~ I hadn’t paid much attention to before.
The first time I visited this gym, I sat in my car for at least 20 min because I was nervous to go inside. It made me laugh when I really thought about the fact that I was intimidated to go into a gym…when I have literally been working out my entire life. This is the place where I feel most comfortable. Which then led me to realize how intimidating it truly must be for people who are new to the gym, and don’t have much experience or background.
There are so many factors that lead up to a person making the decision to start working out and deciding that they actually want to join a gym. But that’s only the start of it. You then have to actually go out and pick one. It can be tough to know what to even look for in a gym, and even where to look for one. But wait, there’s more…you then have to take it ANOTHER step further and go into said gym and workout.
So now you’re inside the gym, but it doesn’t stop there. How do you know where to start? What machines to use? How to use these machines? If you’ll be in the way of someone else? What to wear? Where to put your stuff? On and on and on. It’s tough to navigate a new gym, regardless of whether an employee or someone is there to help guide you. It’s hard to feel comfortable no matter your circumstance, and it may take a while to actually feel at ease in a new gym. This is all normal.
If you’re at the point where you’ve made the decision to join a gym, but don’t know where to go from there, I’m proud of you. If you’re looking to switch gyms, get back into working out, or are trying to pick it back up post athlete, I’m proud of you. Wherever you’re at, I want to help give some tips/advice that might be helpful in this process:
Try out multiple gyms. I tried more gyms than I can count when I first moved to Dallas. If they had a free trial, I was there. I was all over this city until I found what worked best for me.
Try various styles of workouts/gyms: commercial gyms, studios, cycle classes, group classes…you get the point. Don’t knock it till you try it.
Go with a friend if you can. This can help ease the anxiety a bit, or at least give you someone to laugh about it with.
Ask for help. Some gyms have employees who are super hands on and will walk you through the entire gym front to back, or help you throughout the class/workout. Some are the exact opposite. If you have questions, ask them. If you need help, ask for it. It might be intimidating, but they’re there to help you!
It doesn’t matter what you wear. I promise. What matters is that you feel comfortable and able to move in whatever your fit of choice is. It’s really not as deep as we try to make it.
Stick with what you know the first time. If you’re going to a gym with a bunch of new machinery and bars and bells that you’ve never used before, proceed with caution. Do what you know, and if you must use that fun little machine, I urge you to ask for help!
Take the pressure off of yourself. It might feel like everyone is staring at you, but I guarantee most people are so focused on their own workout that they don’t have the energy to pay that much attention to anyone else (unless it’s your gym crush, then the rules obviously change).
If you want to be in the gym, you belong there. You’re qualified right now, as you are. Believe that, show up, and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise!!
If you’re still here reading, I’m going to share a story that might make you feel better if you’re new to the gym, and will probably make you laugh whether you’re new or not. About 2 months ago at this newer gym of mine, I fell face down on a treadmill. Yes, you heard me. All 75 inches of me slapped the treadmill, feet slipped first then gravity took the rest of me down. I immediately jumped back up and pretended nothing happened, and asked the people sitting court-side to act like they didn’t see anything. I was sore for days and I still have not emotionally recovered. I share this just to remind you that it’s not that serious, and to encourage you to get out there even if you’re nervous, embarrassed, or whatever other feelings you may have. And maybe to warn you not to walk across a treadmill going over 11mph. That’s the best gym tip I can give honestly.
See you at the gym soon!!