How to stop being scared of the gym!8 Aug

We know that taking those first steps into the gym can be a daunting prospect, so we’re here to put your minds at ease!

Scared of setting foot in the gym? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. When you’ve never been to the gym or even exercised before, it’s totally natural to be worried about trying something so new. Whether you’re worried about your technique, what other people will think, or even what you’re wearing, we’ve put together a few tips below that we hope will make you feel more comfortable going to the gym!

1. If you’re worried about what to do, ask for help!

If you’ve never been in the gym before, you’re probably not going to know what to do. There’s loads of equipment in there for all sorts of exercises, so it can be overwhelming seeing it all and not knowing what to do. The answer is simple though: just ask for help! Our lovely Gym Instructors are fully trained and will be able to help you out with any questions you have. If you’re a Brio member then the Member Journey programme is included in your membership too – so grab a Gym Instructor and book your initial appointment. They’ll go through your goals with you and put together a bespoke training plan and run through it with you, so you’ll be comfortable working out solo!

2. Not sure what to wear? Keep it simple!

Yes, some people will go to the gym dressed in the latest, tight fitting sports gear, but that’s not a requirement for working out. If you’re not sure what to wear, just keep it simple with shorts or jogging trousers, a t-shirt or vest and some comfortable trainers. Don’t forget a decent sports bra, ladies! As long as you feel comfortable in your workout gear, that’s all that matters.

3. Forget about people staring at you!

If you’ve never been in the gym before, it’s easy to get it into your head that you’ll walk through that door and everyone will stop what they’re doing and look at you. Trust us though, that’s not the case. We promise that the vast majority of people there will be far too busy worrying about themselves to look at you! They’ll be focusing on their technique, or counting reps, or even just gazing at themselves in the mirror (we all do it sometimes!). Most importantly, if you’re in the gym then that shows you’re making a conscious decision to improve your wellbeing, and most people will respect you for that, so just keep that in mind!

4. Still worried? Stick your headphones in!

Nothing’s better than music for drowning out the world around you. If you’re still feeling uncomfortable, just pop your favourite playlist on and get on with your workout. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you forget about everyone around you!

So, there are a few ways you can make the gym a less scary place! If you’re a seasoned gym-goer and have some tips that helped you when you first started out, share them below!

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