Are you just starting your fitness journey? You are not the only one who feels like the gym can be an intimidating environment, especially when you're just starting out! I am going to give you five basic tips that will help you feel more comfortable and confident in the gym!
1. Wear something you feel CONFIDENT in
You don't need to go fill your closet with the most expensive activewear. However, you do want to make sure that you have a few different outfits that you feel confident in. If you feel self conscious in a crop top, don't wear one to the gym quite yet. With everything else you'll be navigating at the beginning of your fitness journey, you don't want to be constantly tugging on your clothes or looking in the mirror regretting what you decided to wear. Worry less about style and more about comfort.
2. Wear a hat and headphones
The gym can definitely be a male dominated environment. It is common to be worried that other people may be looking at you or judging your form. I promise that most people that go to the gym regularly are there for themselves and don't pay attention to anyone else.
A great way to try and keep more to yourself is to wear a hat and put in some headphones! This will make it much less likely for someone to come and spark up a conversation with you. A hat will eliminate a lot of eye contact and headphones will help you just stay focused and not hear what's going on around you. Of course it can be fun and ok to be social but I understand that aspect of the gym can be very nerve wracking at the beginning!
3. Have a workout ready to go
When you get to the gym, warm up on a stair master or treadmill, so you can look out at the gym and spot where different machines, free weights and cables are. Have a workout pulled up on your phone that you can refer to, so you know what you're looking for and have a plan! This will help you feel much more comfortable than wandering around the gym and not being able to find what you need.
You can even start with looking up a dumbbell only workout, grabbing a pair of dumbbells in the free weight section and doing your entire workout in one spot. That is a great way to start!
4. Create a workout playlist
Creating a workout playlist will help you with your workout at the gym and help you actually get to the gym. Ahead of time, create a fun playlist that you'd enjoy listening to while you lift. When you are resting between sets, you can grab your phone and find a new song on your playlist. This will help the time pass and make you feel comfortable while you're resting.
5. Take a Pre-workout
Always being motivated to workout just isn't realistic. Something that I do in combination with everything I mentioned prior, is take a pre workout before I lift. This will help you feel pumped and ready to go, even if you're a bit tired or worn out from the day. There are so many different pre workouts on the market with different amounts of caffeine, so make sure you start out with 1/4-1/2 of a scoop even if it recommends taking one full scoop. You can always work your way up, if you feel like you need more of a boost! You also need to make sure you aren't taking pre workout on an empty stomach. I always recommend eating before you lift unless you lift very early in the morning and you prefer not to eat that early.
There are also non-stimulated pre workouts that will help your blood flow in your muscles and give you a great pump without the caffeine. I will link the stimulated and non stimulated pre workout that I take below!
Stimulated Pre-workout - http://tidd.ly/fa4214a7
Stimulant Free Pre-workout (no caffeine) - http://tidd.ly/c562b9c6
Give all of these tips a try the next time you go to the gym!
If you are looking for more help with training and nutrition - email me at rachelhughesfit@gmail.com
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