Would you like to go into a gym or health club, but feel too intimidated or scared to do it? Do you feel like everyone will be watching you and judging you?

Remember this: No one just happens to be in great physical shape. It takes work. Sure, there are some people who don’t have a hard time getting in better shape. But they still have to work at it. Some people struggle to get weight off. And some struggle to put weight on. Everyone is there for a reason—to get in better shape. No matter how they act, everyone started at the beginning.

When I first stepped into a weight room, it was a far cry from what is available now. There were mostly just boys working out. (Not intimidating at all for a shy 15-year-old.) A monster of a machine stood in the middle, with attached stations extending in every direction, surrounded by countless dumbbells, barbells, and benches. There was no one to take me through and show me how things worked. So I just watched people and figured it out. I’m sure I did some things completely backward. But my motivation to get stronger outweighed the embarrassment of how foolish I might look.

When I joined my first Nautilus Club, the salesperson quickly pointed to the different machines and told me what they worked on—chest, back, shoulders, legs, etc. Luckily, most had descriptions and diagrams explaining how to use them. Within a short period of time, I felt pretty comfortable.

If the machines aren’t intimidating enough, there are the different types of people you’ll see. These are the typical characters found in most gyms and health clubs.

• Front desk employees who mostly just want to help you get into the facility efficiently
• Floor fitness employees—they will help you out if you have basic questions
• Trainers working with 1 or 2 people, taking them through a workout
• People lost in their own workout routines wearing headphones
• People in excellent shape vigorously training
• Friendly looking people who actually make eye contact with you (Yea!)
• People posing and looking at themselves in the mirrors (They don’t know you exist.)
• People who may or may not be beginners, because what they are doing resembles nothing like an exercise, and can likely cause serious injury
• And people not working out much at all, but socializing—this is their social club

Most of these gym-goers are friendly. Even the ones who seem to ignore you. A couple of weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if a grumpy-looking man was finished with a leg extension machine. He looked unfriendly and angry about something. But when I asked him if he was finished, his whole face broke out into a big smile. He was, in fact, very friendly. Now we wave to each other.

Rarely do I see people acting overtly rude to anyone. But, like the rest of society, there are always some people who are just miserable and feel they have to make everyone else miserable too. It happens.

6 Things You Can Do To Feel Less Intimidated and Nervous.

1.            Have a fitness instructor take you around and show you how to use the equipment.

Most places offer a free session upon joining to show you how to use the machines. Some even offer a free training session, where they take you through a short routine. Use this offer. You will feel better when things start to look familiar. Remember that this free walk-through is designed to show you how to use everything. They won’t be designing a workout program for you.

2.            Hire a qualified trainer on-site to work out one-on-one with you.

Make sure you choose a quality trainer and have them take you through your workouts. You can decide to use them on a short-term or long-term basis.

3.            Join with a friend.

Like anything else, doing new things with your friends isn’t nearly as scary as when you’re by yourself.

4.            Keep reminding yourself that no one, and I mean NO ONE, was born knowing all about fitness.

                We all learned from someone, by reading on our own, or by taking a course.

5.            If you are that uncomfortable, don’t do it.

You can get excellent results with a well-written in-home workout program. You may need to get some equipment, like dumbbells, exercise bands, a mat, a big exercise ball, maybe a treadmill or exercise bike, or bench, and maybe some other odds and ends. You can do quite a lot with basic equipment. There are people who can help you with what to get and what to do.

6.            Contract an online coach to create a program for you.

Your coach will have diagrams and videos to show you what to do. Make sure you choose a quality coach. Good online coaching is often more than the exercise program you get with a personal trainer. It includes instruction in all wellness areas—mind, body, nutrition, and life. An online coaching program can be designed for working out in a gym or in your home. An experienced coach guides you, encourages you, and helps you when you get stuck. We all get stuck. Contact me for information about “Active Living Fitness by Karen”, my online coaching program.

You CAN become comfortable going to a gym to work out. I have helped hundreds of people learn their way around and become comfortable in many different types of workout facilities. Just remember that people are generally nice and helpful in workout facilities. More often than not, no one is looking at you. (They are looking at themselves in the mirrors.) Most strength training and cardio machines have directions with diagrams on them. Ask for help. And who knows, you may even make new friends.

Karen