How to Drip in Confidence at the Gym

You’ve decided to take the steps to better your health and fitness by going to the gym. How exciting! This is an extremely positive step– although, it also sometimes brings uncomfortable feelings of self-consciousness, anxiety, and doubt. 

These feelings are completely normal to have when you’re starting something new, especially when you'll be around other people working towards similar goals. The gym can be an overwhelming place at first, but it doesn't have to stay that way. In fact, with time the gym can become a safe place to release your stresses, accomplish your goals, and feel your greatest in. The more confident you are, the more you’ll enjoy your gym experience, and the more likely you’ll return.

It’s much easier to go to the gym with defined, meaningful goals because they give you a stronger sense of purpose in being there. You’ll then have a much larger focus you value beyond the people around you. It is also much easier to get in the zone of a particular workout like arm, back, or leg exercises once you start setting goals. Therefore, to be confident at the gym, always try to show up with a plan.

This guide will reveal tips and techniques that can help you not only show up to your workout but how to be confident at the gym. Don’t allow a struggle to feel confident to deter you from reaching workout goals that can change your life.

Some of the major steps you can take are:

• Dress Confident to be Confident at the Gym
• Know What Your Goals Are
• Set a Time Limit
• Familiarize Yourself With the Equipment

Dress Confident to be Confident at the Gym

This one may be obvious, but to feel confident, you have to be confident in what you are wearing. 

Many of us have experienced the discomfort of ill-fitted workout gear that leaves us more focused on what we’re wearing than on what we’re doing. Whether your clothes are too tight in some places or too loose in others, you never want to wear an outfit to the gym that you have to constantly adjust. This is why it’s so important to wear clothes that fit you well, move with your body, and work well with sweat and stretching.

To have confidence at the gym, it’s not only crucial to wear a comfortable outfit, but also an outfit that YOU feel good in. If you don't like the color yellow on you, don't wear it to the gym. Investing in workout clothes that you look and feel good in can be the difference between skipping the gym or being eager to go. When heading to the gym, make sure you are fully comfortable in your outfit from head to toe. 

Consider wearing high quality workout gear that you feel both beautiful and comfortable in. Whether you prefer brighter, cheery colors or a classic black look, wear what makes you feel confident.

Know What Your Workout Goals Are

It is easy to feel intimidated at the gym, especially when you’re a beginner and everyone around looks like they know what they’re doing. You can combat these feelings of self-consciousness by defining exactly what your workout goals are before going to the gym. 

Whether you want to focus on achieving a set number of exercises, lifting a specific new weight, or running a specific time over a set distance, it's valuable to know what you’re going to work out for the day and what you intend on accomplishing. 

As you move along in your gym journey these goals will surely change, and that’s okay. It’s often a sign of improvement and knowing what you want. It is still extremely beneficial to outline your goals when you’re first starting though, even if you're not entirely certain what you desire in the long run yet.

It’s much easier to go to the gym with defined, meaningful goals because they give you a stronger sense of purpose in being there. You’ll then have a much larger focus you value beyond the people around you. It is also much easier to get in the zone of a particular workout once you start setting goals. Therefore, to be confident at the gym, always try to show up with a plan.  

Set a Time Limit

Another practice that can help you be confident in the gym is setting a time limit for your workouts. This is another way to help you focus on the goals at hand. When you know you only have a specific amount of time to accomplish what you desire, it is less likely that you will be distracted by the people around you and thoughts of self-consciousness. However, make sure you are giving yourself enough time to accomplish the goals you’ve set.

Choosing a specific set time to go to the gym can also help you set reachable goals where you don’t under or over-do your workout. The more goals you successfully reach, the more confident you will be. Therefore, in the process of growing your confidence at the gym, it is very beneficial to have an idea of when you’ll go to the gym and how long you plan on spending there.

Familiarize Yourself With the Gym Equipment

A major step in how to be confident at the gym starts with knowing the gym. It can be daunting to first set foot in a gym with weird, large machines when you have no idea what they do or how they’re used. You can reduce this intimidating feeling by taking the time to familiarize yourself with the equipment.

This step will not only make you feel more confident when you go to the gym, but it can also improve your workouts. There might be a machine you discover is of better use to you and your goals than one you’ve been using. Knowing the gym equipment can change your views of the gym from intimidating and unknown, to a place you understand and can relax in.

How to be confident at the gym doesn't come in one easy answer. However, there are many tips that can help you take those steps to a more rewarding and comfortable gym experience. Don’t let your confidence hold you back at the gym when building your confidence can be what drives you forward to achieving your goals.