Fitness Friday: Overcoming the Fear of Going to the Gym

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I now do yoga and run outside.
But before that, I was a gym rat.
And before that, I was too embarrassed to go to the gym. And so I had to overcome my fears. And everyone (even you!) can do so. Here are the most common fears about going to the gym:

Fear #1: People will stare at me & judge me
People in the gym are working out. And they are thinking about themselves. And they are often looking at themselves (in the mirror).
When working out, you are absorbed by the activity (or the magazine you’re reading). You will discover that in time. For now, just believe me: no one goes at the gym to judge people.

Fear #2: I will be surrounded by people with perfect bodies
Yes, most people at the gym have a healthy weight. But they don’t all have a Lady Gaga / Channing Tatum body. And you are not the only newbie either.

Fear #3: The equipment is dirty and full of sweat
Gyms are usually very clean and there are sanitizers and towels to clean the equipment before & after you use it.

Fear #4: I don’t know what to do
The first gym I went to offered two free 1 hour meetings with a personal trainer. If yours doesn’t, invest in at least one meeting. He will do a fitness evaluation, make you try exercises and design a training plan for you. Then, you’ll know what to do!
Later, you can update your plan by yourself or pay for a personal trainer from time to time.

Fear #5: I’m not fit enough
Every single person you see at the gym started somewhere. The runner didn’t do a marathon on his first day, the weight lifter didn’t lift 50kg on his first day. They were like you, a beginner.
The purpose is to get fit.

Do you have fear about going to the gym? Did you have some? How did you overcome them?