Overcome Gym Anxiety: 5 professional tips to combat fear of the gym

You can get involved in thingsDo as much as you want, but if your first visit to the gym makes you feel anxious, then you are unlikely to achieve your goals. This exact fear is widespread and is called gym anxiety. Just the idea of ​​itEntering the gym and being exposed to the gaze of those exercising can cause anxiety. So that you can from now onno more worrying about gym anxietyhave to, thereLes Mills head trainer Jess McDonald has five good tips that will guarantee a successful start to the successful gym year 2025 - without any fear.

Before you can work on achieving your sporting goals, you need the necessary motivation. However, this usually quickly disappears into nirvana once everyday routine sets in. It is much more important to turn motivation into habit. This is also shown by a study that Les Mills conducted together with Iowa State University. The group fitness leader found:With the right preparation and targeted motivation, training frequency can be increased by a full 200 percent - even before you enter the gym.Having specifically formulated goals (for example: “45 minutes of exercise twice a week”), team workouts and favorite sports makes it much easier to go to the gym.

It's only stupid when you're there and the gym anxiety kicks in. All projects are gone becausethe evaluation, unknown devices and the new surroundings make you feel so uneasy that you want to leave straight away.Les Mills head trainer Jess McDonald has five valuable tips to combat this fear.Then it works with motivation as well as habits and self-confidence in the gym.

"Ironically, most people say they go to the gym for theirto strengthen. However, many people avoid the studio because they feel unsafe. It may seem obvious, but try not to think about others - remember that almost everyone is focused on their own training and not what you are doing. If you focus on your own progress rather than comparing yourself to others, you'll achieve the best results - and feel better along the way."

"Gym anxiety can be more pronounced in certain areas where you feel less comfortable - for some it's the cardio area, others may not want to enter the cycle studio, and many find weight training on the main floor particularly intimidating. During If you want to avoid these areas, it is better to familiarize yourself with them. Many studios offer introductory sessions or guided tours where trainers show the different areas and explain the different areas If you know, visit regularly to feel at home. If you feel more comfortable with fewer people, plan your visit during less busy times."

"Don't be afraid to ask the staff for help - that's what they're there for! The trainers will be happy to answer your questions and show you how to use the equipment correctly. If you're looking for personal advice, invest in a personal training session or two sessions. This will help you get to know the equipment and start with an individual training plan."

"Set realistic goals and create a plan - this gives your training purpose and direction. What matters at the beginning is progress, not perfection. Whether it's running for ten minutes without rest, lifting a certain weight or exercising regularly - celebrate the small successes along the way. This will boost your confidence and make you think more positively about your efforts. When choosing exercises, think about the seven basic movement patterns: squat, hip flexion, lunge, push, pull, rotation and walk Staying strong in everyday life should Your program will include these movements. Personal trainers can help you create a suitable plan."

"Activities that combine social interaction and expert guidance are fun and confidence-boosting. In group training, you benefit from collective energy. A good instructor will make you feel comfortable without emphasizing your "beginner" position. Just follow along the instructions, and you'll get an effective workout without having to make your own decisions."