How To Gain Confidence In The Gym

How To Gain Confidence In The Gym

The gym can be an incredibly intimidating place.  I’ve experienced countless gyms over the last 20+ years and to this day when I go to a new gym that I’ve never been before, it can still be a little nerve wracking.

I think to myself what’s the vibe gonna be like here?  Am I going to be pressured by overbearing sales people?  Will it be sanitary? Will the restrooms be disgusting?  Will Arnold be there getting his reps in (hopefully)??

If I, a 20 year gym veteran, still feels like that walking up into a new gym, I know the anxiety for someone that’s never been into a gym before or very few, can be downright crippling.  It’s a scary place sometimes, huge dudes loaded with testosterone lifting massive weights, grunting like animals, loud music playing, weights slamming around, way too many people during peak hours (after work), and on and on.

But there is something very important that newcomers absolutely MUST understand.  Not a SINGLE person in any gym gives a SINGLE fuck about who you are or what you are doing.  If you really look around and watch people in a gym you will see relatively quickly that they are ALL doing their own thing and paying no one other than themselves or their phone any attention whatsoever.

And if any attention does somehow get paid to you, it is probably in admiration.  Most veteran gym goers are inspired to see newcomers in the gym attempting to workout and improve.  And they would be happy to help should a beginner ask for some direction or help.

In almost every gym I have ever been to I have found this to be the case.  Of course there can be exceptions and of course there are a few assholes here and there but I can assure you that is uncommon and frowned upon to treat anyone, let alone a novice badly.

As soon as this is understood completely it should drastically lower gym anxiety.

ACTION is the next step.  Getting that first workout done will help a lot.  And with every rep, every gym visit, the anxiety and any fear will continually decrease.  As with many other things, repetition is the key.

Think back to school days.  That first day/week of school is always a bit nerve wracking.  Getting used to the new teachers, potentially new students, a new classroom dynamic.  But as usual, before the first month has even passed, you have likely adapted to it all and are 100% more comfortable.  

The gym is no different.  Get those reps in.  Get through those first couple of weeks and once it becomes a bit familiar and you have adapted to the new surroundings, it’s easy breezy, a walk in the park.  

With every passing visit your confidence will rise.  You will become familiar with where all of the equipment is.  With the layout of the gym.  You will begin to recognize the same faces, the same employees, the same members.

This comfort will also go hand in hand with the gains you are making in the gym.  As a beginner you will make quick strength gains, you will see your form improve with every workout, and the workouts will become easier.  

And this is where the real confidence will kick in.  Nothing is more satisfying than seeing yourself improve right before your own eyes.  It is truly motivating and as they say, nothing succeeds like success.

So there you have it.  Recognize that nobody cares about you in the gym.  And get your reps in, get familiar and the rest is history.

To get all the confidence you need and more in the gym, check out our 3 month all encompassing beginner program and BeginnerBody.com.