Gym Tips for Newcomers

Hey, welcome to the gym! Are you experiencing gym-timidation?

Over half of gym goers admit to avoiding going to the gym due to intimidation and anxiety, and that really isn’t pleasant but, you know what that tells me? People at the gym are just like us. They’re so nervous about how they’re presenting at the gym that they don’t have the time to pay attention to anyone else. Even so, we all start somewhere so here are some tips for gym newcomers.

You can ask for help

Starting off obviously, there are staff in the gym who are readily available. But also, your peers in the gym can be some of the best advisers. Think of it like this – if a person has amazing muscle definition, their gym journey has likely been a lengthy process that they are proud of and often look back at their process.

We all start somewhere and these types of people will be able to resonate with that sentiment.

Avoid the rush hour traffic

Going to a busy gym is not fun. Midday and after 7pm are the best times to go to the gym to avoid large crowds. Your gym may also have an app feature which tells you how busy the gym is.

Use the free weight sections

All the machines can be scary, and it can feel like you’re preventing someone else from using them, so make sure you utilise the free weights section. It will take the pressure off your timing and can be great while you adjust to the new setting.

Give that machine a go!

When you have the time and confidence, have a peek at all the machines you’re unsure about. They will have an informative sticker containing information on how to use it, and which muscle groups it targets. Knowing this information can be useful when creating a personal routine.

Get a notebook

If you’re an organised person, or even a little bit of a scatter brain, getting a book to organise your thoughts can make this process a lot easier. You don’t need to take the book in with you, you could even use the notes app on your phone, but if the words are in the paper – they’re not swimming around in your brain. Creating routines is a lot easier when you don’t have to remember everything.

Lastly, you know what’s coming… Have fun!