The gym can be an intimidating [1] place, especially if you are new to fitness in general. The sheer [2] number of machines, benches, and cardio equipment can have your head spinning, and as you watch other gym goers confidently walk to-and-from exercises without hesitation, you may want to turn around and walk out the door than reveal your inexperience. But, don’t worry! Ringle will help get you into a routine just in time for the holidays.

Bypassing Judgment

For some reason, gyms breed insecurity. We think that every eye is on us as we run on the treadmill, do squats, or stretch, judging us critically. This is a major reason why people avoid the gym or are reluctant to start exercising. 

I’m willing to bet, however, that when you walk around the gym looking for your next exercise, your mind is not critically evaluating the appearances of those around you. Sure, your eyes may dart from person to person, but those moments are just that—momentary. They are too short to be filled with any sort of judgment, and besides, you probably wouldn’t even want to judge someone anyway; you, like most people, are pleasant and generous, too nice to look down upon the workout of a complete stranger. People at the gym are there for themselves—remember that when you think someone is giving you the side eye [3].

Running and Jumping and Lifting, Oh My!

There are many ways to put in a good workout. Some spend their entire time on the treadmill, while others participate in group classes. Others do yoga and stretch, while still others lift weights. There is no one “right” way to work out, however, and if you’re looking for guidance, a gym trainer or the internet can help you find what works for you.

You can find countless workouts online for beginners. While these all will differ in scope and focus, it’d be valuable to try different types of workouts to see what fits your tastes best, especially if you have no fitness foundation coming in. For instance, I learned early in my adolescence that I hate running, but I love playing basketball. So, when I need to get some cardio in, I don’t even look at the treadmills on the way to the basketball court. I realized this through trial and error—with enough persistence, you, too, will find your niche.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

This follows from the first two points. Gyms are frequently judgment-free zones—essentially, no one is paying you any mind, even if you’re working out right next to them. As a result, a trainer or frequent gym goer will be glad to give you some tips and tricks to navigate the gym, find the exercises that work for you, refine your form, and more. Lean on the community around you, and good things will happen.

Gyms can be scary places, but they don’t have to be with a little commitment and courage.