Fitness Fears and How to Work Through Them

Don’t let fitness fears keep you from the body you want.

If you aren’t a regular gym-goer, chances are that you may have some mental blocks against it.  Going to the gym, especially if it’s your first time can be really daunting. Unfortunately, in our society fear is a huge motivator, but it also keeps us from doing things that will benefit us greatly, such as getting in better shape.

These fitness fears are often enough to keep us from getting out of bed and hitting the gym, but there is one thing that nobody really tells you: Everyone has fitness fears.

Even people who have gone to the gym consistently for years still have insecurities. The only difference is the level that we let these insecurities impact our daily lives, especially in terms of going to the gym.

READ MORE: The Five Unwritten Rules of Taking Motivational Gym Selfies

So here are a few fitness fears you should throw out the window today! If any of these have ever stopped you from getting the body you want, I urge you to read on, and then commit to ignoring your fears and marching forward on your fitness journey without fear!

Feeling like you aren’t fit enough. Everyone has to start somewhere. If you want to start doing some pushups and sit-ups at home to increase your stamina, great. But don’t think you have to already be fit to step foot inside a gym, because that’s the exact opposite of the reason gyms exist in the first place.

Feeling like your clothes aren’t cute enough. You don’t have to be decked out in Lululemon to hit the gym. In fact, the more you go to the gym, the less you will care what you are wearing, or look like. The gym is a tool to keep healthy, nothing more and nothing less. Every time you go to the gym, your body will look that much better, regardless of how you are dressed.

Fear of looking stupid/being unknowledgeable. Again, everyone has to start somewhere. Luckily we have the world’s knowledge at our fingertips and can research workouts online before we go. If you have questions about a machine, don’t be shy to ask for help from an employee, after all, we are paying exorbitant amounts to use the gym facilities, so a little education should be included if you ask me.

Fear of sweating in front of people. It’s 2019. Everyone sweats. If you aren’t sweating, you aren’t doing it right. So lets’ remove the stigma of sweating and embrace it!

Fear of injury. The last thing you ever want to do at a gym is injure yourself. You can avoid this by stretching and warming up, taking it easy (especially at first) and not pushing your limits until you are sure of your form. You run the risk of injury every time you step outside your door, at least at the gym you are working on becoming a better version of yourself.

Fear of being judged. I wish I could say that nobody at the gym judges others, but unfortunately it’s human nature to judge. I will say that people are a lot less judgmental about fitness journeys at the gym, because everyone there is in the same boat, for the same reason. It’s probably impossible to get through a day without being judged by someone, but its important to remember that all judgment comes from insecurity somewhere down the line. So anyone who judges you for trying to upgrade your body is probably dealing with fitness demons of their own.

Hopefully these tips and tricks help you move past your own fears, and conquer the gym like the fearless fitness-fiend I know you are!