How to Overcome Gym Anxiety: 3 Easy Steps to Becoming More Confident in the Gym

The gym can be a scary, scary place. Huge, intimidating men sweating and grunting whilst they pump the iron. Lean women with perfect, peachy glutes squatting without a care in the world. You want to feel that confident in the gym too, right? I'm guessing that's why you're here.

Maybe this is your first time going to the gym alone. Maybe this is your first time going to the gym ever. Or, maybe you've been a bunch of times, but still have that niggling anxious feeling that you can't seem to shake. You are not alone in feeling daunted. It's common to feel this way, which is why I want to give you three easy steps, that you can implement today, that will help you combat your gym anxiety.

(Psssst... If you find this post useful, drop me a DM on Instagram - @alicelyoung - and let me know!)

1. PLAN YOUR WORKOUTS

There is nothing worse than wondering around the gym like a headless chicken, muddling through your workout, wondering what exactly you should be doing. Step one is to plan all of the exercises you want to do and what equipment you are going to need for each one. With your plan in hand you can strut onto the gym floor, like the confident gym boss I know that you are, and storm straight over to the first piece of equipment with intent.

No more dallying around staring at each machine trying to decipher which one will make do for today's slapdash workout. You've come armed with a plan, and you know what the f is up. You can even come double prepared and plan back up exercises, in case the equipment that you want to use is taken.

2. WEAR CLOTHES THAT YOU FEEL CONFIDENT IN

I know that you know just how disgustingly self-conscious you can wind up feeling when you are stuck in a piece of clothing that makes you feel less than confident. It's bad enough on a normal day, but to the gym? The place where you are manoeuvring your body into all sorts of weird and wonderful positions, praying that you look like you have even the faintest idea of what you're doing. You don't need the added worry that one of your bum cheeks might be hanging out of your short shorts, or that your nude coloured leggings might be a bit too nude...

Step 2 is tossing on a killer outfit that makes you feel like a gym queen. If that's a pair or short short or nude leggings, you do you, boo. If that's an all black ensemble or a baggy t-shirt, then that's what you need in your life!

3. REMEMBER, NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU'RE DOING

This one comes with time. You could have one hundred and one people yap this at you, but I'd bet my last protein bar you wouldn't believe it until you've experienced it enough times. Us gym folk are basically a bunch of arrogant pricks, who only care about what we, ourselves, are doing. We don't care if someone is intensely studying the instruction sticker on the leg press machine. We don't care if someone is only squatting halfway because they don't have the mobility to go all the way down. We have gym tunnel vision; getting on the equipment we want before somebody else steals it and hitting PRs.

Step 3 is to remember that nobody gives a sh!t what you are doing. The next time you're there, take a peek around for yourself. Notice how absorbed everybody else is in their own workouts.

BONUS TIP!

I thought I'd be nice and treat you with a bonus tip; invest in an online coach. No, wait. Before you zone out and click off of this article, hear me out.

Not only can a coach work with you to help you overcome your gym anxiety, they can arm you with a solid workout plan so that you can power through your workout like a pro!

If you would like a free 1:1 call with me to discuss boosting your gym confidence, or even to discuss your fitness plan in general, CLICK HERE to book in! I can't wait to chat with you.