GOT YOUR BACK: The top 4 worries for gym beginners

If you’re thinking about attending the gym for the first time, you might be feeling apprehensive. Let's look at the four biggest anxieties of gym beginners, and how to overcome them.

For many people, entering the gym for the first time is as scary as the first day of school. But no matter how out of place you feel, be assured that you’re not alone – and don’t forget, you’ve already taken the bravest first step; you’ve turned up!

Now, let’s set about putting your other worries to rest, so you can focus on your workout.

“I don’t know how anything works”

This is a completely understandable concern that comes with any new experience. Yes, it might seem like everyone else knows what they’re doing, but they all had to start somewhere.

As soon as your first visit to pick up your membership card, you can organise a gym induction. This is a great opportunity to build a relationship with a member of the qualified fitness team, and have them take you through everything you need to know. Want to target something specific, or work towards a particular fitness goal? They’ll be able to advise on which machines and equipment will be best suited to you, and show you how to use them.

There’s no such thing as a stupid question – don’t be afraid to ask anything that you want to or need to know. At any good gym, the staff should be happy to answer your questions at any time.

“I look silly”

There really is no such thing as “looking the part” at the gym. Exercise is about substance over style, so you can ultimately wear whatever you’re comfortable working out in. However, if you’re unsure what kit you’ll need to bring, check out our advice on what to wear to work out.

Bear in mind that people from all backgrounds and of all shapes and sizes use the gym. What’s right for one person may not be right for another - everyone will have different goals and abilities, so it’s important to run your own race. Comparing how you look or what you’re doing to others won’t get you anywhere. Be true to yourself and to your body.

Remember: everybody sweats and every body jiggles to some degree – it means you’re working hard. Unfortunately, there’s little we can do about Chad by the watercooler, loudly boasting about “getting a good sweat on”. Seriously Chad, we respect the effort, but bring it down a notch, buddy…

“I’m not fit or good enough to be here”

Everyone is welcome in the gym! If you’re not feeling fit, stick with it and you’ll improve. If you feel you’re not good enough, you can ask for help. No-one who ever achieved anything great let the fear of failure stop them, and you can overcome it too. Just take one step at a time, and you’ll be off and running before you know it.

No matter whether you’re training for a marathon, recovering from an injury, or doing the first sit up of your life, everyone starts their journey somewhere. Don’t be deterred by other people’s destinations!

If you’ve joined the gym to make changes or learn something new, then walking through the front door is all you need to do to be considered welcome! You have every right to be on the gym floor, in an exercise class or using the pool, no matter what you look like or what you’re capable of.

If you’re brand new, don’t be afraid to try a little bit of everything, even if you don’t think it’s “for you”. You never know, you might find a flair for Zumba or a passion for indoor cycling.

“I don’t know what I’m doing”

A common reason that people feel anxious about giving the gym a go is not knowing what to do. It’s easy to know what you want from it, but tricky to get results if you’re unsure where to start. Understanding how best to work out for your goals and for your body is key to feeling confident.

A good starting point might be to follow a guided workout. Lots of people print off or write down their workout routine. It’s perfectly normal to carry a prompt sheet with you while you work out, or look at it on your phone.

You don’t have to do it alone! If you need the extra motivation, why not attend a fitness class with a friend and do it together? Though as discussed above, if you and your friend use the gym floor, don't just copy what they do. Make sure you do exercises that suit you.

If you want regular support and advice, you could even book some sessions with a personal trainer. Whether it’s managing pain, training for an event, or simply feeling more confident in the gym, they can help. They can give you a better understanding of what to do, how to do it, and why to do it, giving you the power to make changes for life.

For more, you can read our 5 tips for gym beginners to get further advice.

If you’re thinking about coming to our gym, you can take our virtual club tour to see how we’ve made it Covid-secure.