Gym Intimidation
Thinking about getting your first gym membership? That's awesome! It's a great step into a more positive, healthy, and fulfilling life! You probably have an appointment booked to visit a local gym in your neighborhood and don't know what to expect. You might be beginning to have butterflies and a tiny bit of regret. "Do I really want to go? I don't want to look like a tool. What am I really getting myself into?' These are all normal thoughts and reasonable questions. Anytime you start something new and out of the ordinary of your comfort zone, it's going to be intimidating. A new job, an important work meeting, group activity, hobby, etc.
Our minds are automatically wired to be on the fences with the unknown. It's a type of protective measure that is triggered and that is okay! For some, it may be less of a problem, for others it may pique their interest, but for most it becomes hesitation.
Regardless of which scenario you are in, commit. Check it out, ask your questions of uncertainty and make sure that your concerns are being met. Putting in work for healthy reasons is hard, but living an unhealthy sedentary life is just as hard. It's an investment for you and your overall health. Some locations in the City of Calgary tailor to specific demographics. For instance, a franchise location downtown Calgary has less square footage for their free weights verses every other location in the city. I found this location more convenient for many office workers that have limited time and can focus more on cardio than weightlifting. Because the main space is filled with cardiorespiratory fitness options. From what I've seen and heard, there are less of the stereotypical "juice monkeys" aka "roid monkeys" throwing around all the heavy weights and grunting like King Kong.
It's also one of the nicest locations in their franchise since it was a former bank from the early 1800s (I believe) with the whole building built with stone and bricks with beautiful finishing's inside and out. Of course, there have been some modern-day upgrades to facilitate building codes for safety and such.
I will always remember the first gym I chose to commit to for a 2-year term. It was attached to one of the City's former popular malls and they even had a separate entrance that you can enter within the mall. A part of me was always excited to go in and look cool walking through the hallway from the mall into the gym. I guess I just wanted to look cool for any of the females walking around and shopping. But every time I approached the door and made my way into the gym, I suddenly became extremely intimidated by the body builders and athletes that obviously knew what they were doing. Sometimes I would even question myself, doubting my capabilities and potential, telling myself that there's no way I can look and be in great shape like them.
Social physique anxiety. It’s a real thing! “I feel like everyone is staring at me”, “I feel self-conscious working out in front of people and looking incompetent”. Similar phrases you might say or think of; they are valid and okay. Fortunately, people become either extrinsic or intrinsically motivated that they get lost in their own world. Everyone goes into the gym for their own reasons and goals like accomplishing a new Personal Record (PR) or completing their workout in a short time frame so they can get on with the rest of their day. I can’t speak for everyone, but I know I stop and notice anyone that might injure themselves, so I stop what I am doing to help. Or majority of the time I stop and notice a beautiful individual which becomes a distraction for about 15 seconds, and I realize I shouldn’t be a creep and stare.
One of the best advices I was given is that we all have our own chapters in life. We should never judge ourselves based on someone else. Everyone started at some point, and we all get somewhere at our own pace. Consistency over complacency is key when starting new habits and routines. Try setting up your own Outcome and Process goals.
Process goals refer to the process of goal pursuit. For example, if your Outcome goal is to lose 20lbs, set yourself a process goal to show up at the gym 3 times a week. Your process goals can always change if they are achievable and reasonable. Little steps are still progress but not taking steps is regressing. So, remember, even if you aren’t taking big strides to achieving your goals, taking the small steps like committing and signing up for a gym membership is progress to a healthier and more fulfilling life.
