I'm going to let you in on a little secret: I wasn't always confident in my body and I didn't always feel at home in the gym. And sometimes... I still don't! Since this is my first EVER blog post (yay!) - I'm going to hit you with a little personal, background info sprinkled in with some motivation.
So let’s start by taking a trip back to 2011, shall we?
I was 16 then, and just made the decision to stop taking dance classes. I was about to enter my senior year of high school, so everyone (especially my mother) was asking me the question that all 16 year olds love to hear: “What do you want to do with your life?”
Up until that point, “dancer" had been my identifier and it was my answer to the “what do you want to be when you grow up,” question for as long as I could remember. But, dance had kind of fallen off of the table for a lot of reasons. Outside of dance, I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do. But, I was really into eating healthy and the idea of studying something in college that would ultimately put me behind a desk everyday... made me physically ill.
So, long story short, I learned that Exercise Science was a thing and I started taking college courses at the Community College near me to see if I liked the program. One semester in, I was hooked. I finished out my Associates Degree and then went on to complete a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science. I graduated early and moved to Philadelphia where I was fortunate enough to get a job right away, and learn from a lot of talented people in the industry.
This is the backstory that is heard by 95% of the people who meet me. It’s my resume. It’s my elevator pitch of who I am and what I’ve accomplished. But, let’s rewind a smidge.
At 16, I danced and I ran. And I maybe did the occasional at-home online workout or Jillian Michaels DVD if I was feeling it. At the time, being in the gym terrified me. I wanted to like it - but I had no freaking clue what to do when I went there. I liked working out at home because it was “safe.” There were no super fit people at home watching my every move, and no one could judge if I did something wrong. I had no idea what gymtimidation was at the time, but I had a bad case of it for sure.
At 17, two and a half semesters in to my Exercise Science degree program, I decided it was time to get over my fear. (I mean, helllllooo I wanted to be a trainer - I needed to do this!) I started working at a gym by me as a front desk person and once I got semi-comfortable in that position, I started working out there. But guess what I did? Yup… Cardio. I lived in that cardio section. I did the ellipticals, the stairs, the treadmill, you name it. Sometimes I ventured over to the mat where I would do some abs or some Jillian moves, but for the most part I stuck with the trusty cardio equipment.
After a few months of being the cardio queen, I got bored. I wasn’t seeing results anymore (shocker), and everything that I had learned in the few classes I had taken so far made me understand that I needed to be lifting weights. So, I did a little digging into my textbooks and did some other research, *google*, and I put together a few circuits of exercises with weights that I knew I could do correctly. With my new little arsenal of knowledge - I ventured out into the jungle that was the weight room. I stayed in the corner and kept to myself, but I did it. It was uncomfortable and I’m sure my form wasn’t the best, but I did it. Little by little, I gained more confidence in my lifts. I made friends with people at the gym. I asked them, my professors, and other trainers at the gym for advice. It was a long and messy process (talking like 3+ years long) to get comfortable in the gym, but it happened for me. And it can happen for you, too!
I think that a lot of people just assume that I (and other trainers/fit pros) just have always loved working out and are inherently good at lifting and always feel confident in the gym. And maybe for some people, that’s the case. But as you just read, for me, it wasn’t. And, again, sometimes I still don’t feel confident. That’s what’s awesome about fitness though; it provides you with a means to constantly learn and change and grow. My goal with this platform is to share the knowledge and experiences I have built up over the last 7 years so that you don’t have to be like 17 year old me walking into a gym for the first time, alone & scared shitless. Part of my job as a trainer is to make you feel confident in yourself and your abilities so that you can feel a little more prepared for when you are forced to be uncomfortable.
If you’re 17, 25, 35, or 40+ and you are thinking you might have gymtimidation, too - here’s 5 ways to fix it (or at least manage it!):
1. The Buddy System.
“I’m not going unless you go.” How many times have you said that to a friend about going to a party, or an event? Most of the time it’s because you’re a little nervous of the unknown. Who is going to be there? What am I going to do? Who am I going to talk to? When you have a friend that you show up with - you know at least one answer to all of those questions and that alleviates most of the pressure and anxiety that you’re feeling. WELL… Why not do this for the gym?? Get yourself a buddy that wants to work out, too, and commit to a schedule. Show up, and conquer the gym - together! You’re more likely to stay accountable with a workout partner and, besides, everything is more fun with friends.
2. ASK for HELP!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If there’s someone at the gym that you see ALL the time, and they look like they know what they’re doing - make a connection! Ask them to spot you, or ask them to check your form real quick. 9 times out of 10 - people are willing to help. And if they’re rude to you, don’t take it personally. They’re probably on a tight schedule (or that 1 time out of 10, they’re actually just an asshole). You also can use personal trainers in your gym as resources. Don’t go up to them expecting a full free workout plan, but if you ask a quick burning question - they most likely will be happy to help you! You also have an amazing resource at your fingertips (ahem, cough, cough... ME!) Feel free to reach out with any questions and I will help you in any way I can! Or check out my programs for purchase here.
3. LEARN.
Read articles. Watch videos. Really listen to trainers that you admire in group classes. Absorb as much information as you can and then apply that. (Just make sure the knowledge you are absorbing is coming from a reputable source!) Knowledge is power. The more information you have, the better equipped you are, and the less gymtimidation you will have.
4. Have a PLAN.
Just like me at 17, you probably have no idea what to do on half of the machines at the gym. Or you have no idea how to put together a workout that will last a full hour. Well, in just a few short weeks there will be guides on my site that will give you a solid plan to follow. OR, you can apply for personalized coaching with me, now! Walking into the gym knowing what to do and where to go is 1000% going to help alleviate the anxiety of being there. And, if you are serious about your goals… you need a plan!!
5. Just Do It.
*Cue the Nike commercial*
But seriously, the only way that you are going to get past the feelings of gymtimidation is by going to the gym! By showing up, conquering those fears and just getting your workout done. I know it’s tough, I know it’s uncomfortable… BUT it’s worth it! Always walk in with a plan and confidence (even if it’s fake!)
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