Not Ready For The Gym?

Body under construction

What were your thoughts when you wanted to sign up in a gym?
Unfortunately, we ,women, are more intimidated than motivated by the idea of going to the gym... And this really sets me up. Has the Fitness industry come so far that, before we can actually hit the gym, we need to get in shape beforehand in order to feel welcome? 

If you have ever watched 'Pumping iron', you've probably seen that sequence where a newbie is exercising next to Arni the legend... Seriously, if Venice Beach, where tons of awesome and famous bodybuilders workout, can make you feel welcome, why not your local gym?

When I first hit the gym, I was only 15 years old and, fortunately, it were my parents who took me there because I was bored at home and didn't want to be alone all day long doing silly things... And this really changed my life. I've learned so much over the years and gained lots of experience, especially over the last year. And I realized how our actions can have an impact on other people's comfort in the gym. 

I mean, do you really think that they don't see your looks when they want to use 'your equipment' ? Or, do you also behave like this outside of the gym as well? I mean, does your actions in the middle of a workout match up with your self-perception of who you are the rest of the days? 

The iron gives you self-confidence, but let's be honest, people ,especially newbies, don't feel comfortable at all in the gym.

And this is why:

• Too many posers:

Let's make it short and 'sweet'... 

Posting your half-naked body along with a motivational quote isn't always altruistic... Most people just do it for their own self-confidence and, in order to boost other people's self-esteem, they are just expressing their self-confidence which can be very intimidating for newbies. 

• Overload of information:

New training programs bloom like flowers every year. You know that nothing disappears on the Internet... Therefor it's totally normal to think that you just found 'the right program' that could finally help you.  I was in the same situations years ago. I was a complete newbie and had no clue what was good or bad for me. If you have that many different types of diets and trainings routines, it can be very frustrating and irritating to pick out the right and healthy thing.

After all, consistency is the key. Nothing will ever work if you try out new things twice a month. But if we only knew this sooner... right?

But at least we are not totally doomed. There's still something to do about it.

• If you see a new member in the gym, who also seems to have no idea what he's doing (especially regarding his/her form during an exercise) , try to explain the movement in a nice and friendly way so that they don't feel completely out of place and fall off the workout wagon again.
• Don't criticize people who are just doing cardio, yoga or only lifting light weights, especially when they are totally new to the world of fitness. After all, it's still better than sitting on the couch , wrapped up in a blanket like a burrito,eating fatty snacks. I know that sitting around on a steady-bike isn't the most efficient way of losing weight, but let's be honest, at least those people take action. Before I really lifted heavy ass weights some years ago, I was also sitting around on a bicycle for over an hour and maybe doing that one or another set on a machine when nobody was watching.
• Just start. If you are confident and not intimidated by new places and things, keep going back and improve yourself even more. It's a wonderful journey and even if you are not going to publish it (which isn't necessary at all for your personal success), you are still empowering your friends by your success.
• Even if you are intimidated and a beginner, at least try to go back one time again. Get your workout clothes on and move. If it takes two weeks for you to feel comfortable in the gym, well then that's how it should be. 

Hitting the gym and working out is a great reward that everybody should have experienced at least once. Break down the barriers of exercise and help beginners to feel comfortable and to develop themselves in order to reach their goals.

my personal first progress

I also do some yoga once in a while