Two Ways To Deal With Social Anxiety At The Gym

Posted on

Most people know they should be exercising on a regular basis. When you have social anxiety, however, going to the gym can feel like trying to qualify for an Olympic event. While you can exercise at home, a gym has a wide variety of equipment and services that make visiting one worthwhile. Here are two things you can do to ease your anxiety, so you can get the most out of your gym experience.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

One common reason people feel anxious about going to the gym is they worry they'll look stupid or silly in front of the other members. Coupled with the fact people have a tendency to compare themselves with others and you have a recipe for serious gym anxiety.

It's important to understand most people you meet in the gym are dealing with some level of self-consciousness too, but that's a bit of cold comfort when you're breaking out in a sweat for all the wrong reasons. Therefore, one way you can ease your own feelings of anxiety is to prepare for the gym visit as much as possible.

Take a tour of the facility beforehand to get a sense of the layout, where the different classes and exercise machines are, and the gym's rules. This will reduce the likelihood you'll make a mistake that may draw unwanted attention to yourself. It may also help you locate out-of-the-way spaces in the facility where you can go to get a little privacy during your workout.

Another thing you should do is create a playlist of your favorite songs. Working out to music can help you focus on what you're doing and make it easier to ignore everyone else in the room.

Workout When No One's Around

A second option is to go to the gym during times when people are less likely to be there. The exact times will differ depending on where you live, but gyms tend to be slower in the early mornings and late evenings. With fewer people around, you'll feel less pressure to avoid embarrassing yourself, which can make working out more enjoyable.

If you can afford it, you may want to opt for private training. Having another person there to guide you through the exercises can help you feel less exposed. In some gyms, trainers have their own personal spaces where they put clients through their paces, so this may be a good way to get a great workout away from the rest of the crowd.

For more information about this issue or help putting together the best exercise plan for you, contact a business such as Halevy Life.


Share