Overcoming ‘Gym Worry’

I had a great conversation with one of my clients yesterday about going to the gym. We chatted about ‘gym worry’…simply explained as the feeling of walking into the gym and feeling like everyone is watching you, you don’t know how to use all of the kit and you’re going to make a fool of yourself.

This is a conversation I’ve had with many people over the years, as like everything in life, when you do something a little outside your comfort zone, it makes you fee uncomfortable. 

The reality is that while you’re worrying about everyone in the gym watching you figure out how to adjust the leg press…they aren’t watching you! Everyone is just cracking on with their own thing, usually with their head phones in, and totally zoned out. 

If you have ‘gym worry’ then ask one of the gym instructors how to use the kit or for some guidance. 

I used to work on the gym floor as an instructor back in the day, and believe it or not, we really want people to ask us questions! 

A good gym instructor wants everyone in there to have great technique and get the most out of their workout…and they find it way easier to make this happen when people ask for help than when they have to approach gym users and try and correct their technique!

It’s actually the main part of an instructor’s job to make sure everyone is exercising safely and correctly, but even though they all seem super confident, a lot of instructors don’t feel super comfortable walking up to members and starting conversations.

Basically, you’re itching to ask for help but feel shy asking, and they are itching to help and feel uncomfortable asking…so as soon as you make the first move they will jump at the chance to help. It’s a bit like dating…sometimes you’ve just gotta make the first move!