Now that everyone is settling down into another year in college, it’s time to set new routines and habits—and what better habit to implement than going to the gym?
But, for so many of us, it’s terrifying to walk into a room full of other people who look like they were born at the gym. When I first started going to the gym in high school, I was completely convinced that people would stare at me. Even after a year of consistency under my belt, I was still nervous to enter the gyms at Rutgers for the first time because I didn’t know if my routine would be considered “normal.” It’s also undeniably hard to not compare yourself to all the “better” people in the gym.
Once you do start getting comfortable with the gym though, it’ll become something that will boost your confidence. So, here are some personal tips that helped me get through the door in the first few weeks!
- Remember that everyone starts from the bottom.
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You know that girl in the gym? Her progress didn’t come from nowhere. So many gym-goers didn’t have a clue what they were doing at first, and they acknowledge that others are also looking to start improving themselves. In fact, I found that the people at the gym are some of the most supportive people out there!
- People don’t really care what you’re doing.
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The gym is a place for self-improvement—meaning that most of the time, people are focused on themselves. It might feel like all the attention is on you, but eventually, as you go to the gym more and more often, and grow more confident, you’ll find yourself only focusing on your own workout too.
- Have a plan!
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Walking into the gym with no idea of what you’re doing might make you feel awkward and out-of-place. Find a routine that you like before your workout, research any movements that you’re unfamiliar with, and go for it! Of course, plans can change—but even just having a simple idea like “I want to do cardio today” can definitely give you that confidence boost you need.
- Go with a friend.
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Everything is a lot less scary and a lot more fun with a gym buddy! Plus, it’ll help both of you stay accountable.
- Don’t be so hard on yourself.
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Seriously. Don’t force yourself to do the same weights as someone else. Not only does it increase your risk of injury, but it can also discourage you. Remember that everyone is different! Listen to your body and choose what works for you. (If that means doing a modified version of an exercise, using lighter weights, or going slower on a cardio machine, that’s more than okay.) Eventually, you’ll be able to build up to your goals.
