Gym-timidation

Gym-timidation: the fear (or intimidating feeling) one gets at the thought of going to the gym.

I've heard lots of stories from girls, they all want to lose weight and get in shape, but they're all terrified of going to the gym. Earlier I wrote a post about how to be a lady boss in the gym, but I think it's necessary to help girls find the confidence to even enter a gym!

So, I've come up with some advice to help you get over your gym-timidation, and eventually become a lady boss in the gym (and maybe even in life)!

Some of the most common reasons I've heard for not wanting to hit the gym are: "I need to get in better shape before I go to the gym," or even worse, "I feel like everybody is laughing at me and judging me,"yet another reason is, "I don't know how to use any of the equipment and I'm scared to ask for help." Don't get me wrong, these are all valid reasons, but luckily there are ways to get around these three common fears.

"I need to get in better shape before I go to the gym"
The entire purpose of going to the gym is to get in shape. All of the people at the gym that seem to be in perfect shape are only that way because they started from the exact same position you're in. They made a conscious decision to make a change, and took measures to do so. So, when you're not sure if you're ready to go to the gym, just remember that at the beginning nobody was ready; but they realized they needed to make a change and they made themselves go, no matter how tough it is.

"I feel like everybody is laughing at me and judging me."
Unfortunately, this is something that you'll feel in tons of different areas of your life. For example, anytime I want to ask a question in a class, I feel like the answer is obvious and that the rest of my classmates will laugh at me for asking. But, in reality, most of the class probably has the same question; nobody will laugh at me for asking a question and I know that; just like nobody will laugh at you for going to the gym. It's more likely that they'll encourage you and cheer you on when they see you really pushing your limits!

However, feeling like people are laughing at you is a very human thing; just remember everybody is there working on themselves, so the chances of people judging you is slim to none!!

"I don't know how to use any of the equipment and I'm scared to ask for help."
The good news is this: almost every piece of equipment at the gym has step by step instructions on how to use it, and exactly what muscle group it will target! Gyms understand that lots of people are starting from square one, and have probably never used the equipment before. If you don't understand exactly what the directions are telling you to do you have two options.

1. Ask a gym associate for help; it's their job to help you, and if they're not busy helping somebody else they'll be more than willing to help you. 
2. Wait for somebody else to use the equipment before you, and watch what they do then imitate it when it's your turn.