Whether you’re new to the gym or just getting back to working out Gym phobia after a long break.
this move can be frightening and stressful for you.
Given the prevalence of this condition, there is a scientific term to describe the feeling of stress or anxiety that many people feel when they think of going to the places to exercise, which is “gym phobia”.
Common gym phobia and its causes
One survey, according to the mental health website Very Well Mind, found that nearly half of Americans suffer from gym phobia, while another survey in Britain, for example, found that one in four women said they feel this type of phobia.
As for the source of this condition, there are many reasons why people are afraid to go to the gym, including fear of being judged by other people, and the belief that they may not be able to perform certain exercises correctly.
In addition, many feel insecure about how they compare to other gym-goers, causing them to develop social phobia.
But basically, one of the biggest reasons people may have a gym phobia is that many people perceive the gym as an unfamiliar or intimidating place.
And that’s largely because they might feel unsure about what they might encounter there, or because they might not know exactly what they’re doing there with all those machines.
But just because you’re experiencing a new situation doesn’t mean there aren’t some simple things you can do to overcome this type of fear, and most of it is about finding ways to remove that uncertainty and stress, according to Healthline.
How do you get past this gym phobia?
People tend to feel better when they can anticipate what’s coming. So our uncertainty is associated with feelings such as fear, anxiety and depression.
But if we can learn how to reduce those feelings of uncertainty and push ourselves to face uncertain environments more often, we can make ourselves better able to handle them.
Another reason people may feel nervous about heading to the gym for the first time is their low self-efficacy and personal view of themselves.
Self-efficacy is our belief in our skills and abilities, and whether we believe we have the ability to succeed in a particular situation or meet challenges. Thus, it plays a huge role in almost everything we do because it is the key to human motivation towards most things.
So when we don’t think we’ll be able to do something, it makes us less willing to try that thing in the first place. This explains why many people feel terrified of gyms and anxious about trying new experiences of all kinds.
But there are several ways you can overcome these feelings
even before your first visit to the gym, according to The conversation knowledge site:
Start with simple exercises and plan exercises that you can master quickly and are guaranteed to enjoy. It may also be helpful to include some alternative movements or exercises.
that you can switch up if the gym is busy or the equipment is in use.
Finding online resources or videos that show you how the device works may also help calm any tension.
you may have and better prepare you for what you may encounter before your first workout.
It may also help to book a one-on-one meeting with a staff member or personal trainer on your first day to get past your gym phobia.
Find a training routine online or talk to a personal trainer to plan your workouts in advance.
Not only will this help you know what equipment or gym area you’ll need during your visit.
but it may also give you a chance to get your workouts done early and in advance.
Consider attending a group exercise class for beginners.
Being surround by other people on a similar level to you can help you feel more confident and reduce your anxiety.
which will be good for your mental health.
Arrived during off-peak hours initially.
This may help you develop your confidence and knowledge of the gym.
and you may feel less stressed if there are fewer people around.
Anticipate and accept anxiety and some nerves.
It’s a completely normal part of the process of trying something new, and everyone feels it.
even people who have been in the gym for a long time.
One way to manage nerves is to practice mindfulness and awareness.
a form of meditation that involves focusing on being in the moment and any thoughts or feelings you may have.
This may help you get over any anxiety you’re feeling.
