Conquering First Time Gym Jitters

Whenever someone new comes in the door to work with me, I always try to do this one thing.

I always to try to put myself in their shoes.

I have been in the fitness world since I was probably 15.

I started because I wanted to be prepared for my first summer with the high school football team my freshman year.

I had never done anything with weights before.

I may have done some push ups and pull ups in my room, but most of my activity up until this point was from playing sports in the driveways, streets, and fields of our neighborhood after school.

In order to make sure I didn't get hurt and to make sure I knew what I was doing, I started with a personal trainer.

If I could, I would love to go back in time to relive that morning when my parents drove me to the gym for my very first personal training session.

I would love to relive the nerves, the anxiety, and honestly probably the fear I had walking into the gym for the first time.

I say this because this would help me to better understand the thoughts that you may have had, or maybe still have about entering the gym for your first time.

The gym can be intimidating. I don't think fitness professionals really address this enough.

As I write this now, there is loud music playing, weights clanking (if that is a word), and some people hitting the punching bags working on their boxing skills.

For someone who has never done any strength training, or even been in a gym before I totally understand how it can be an intimidating place.

Next, throw in a trainer such as myself who will be be watching your every move for the next hour; and I can see how that may not excite every body out there.

My goal for anyone, is to ease those initial fears and anxieties.

Whether it be by meeting you at the door with a smile, listening to your entire story to get a sense of what you are looking for and what you have or have not done before, or just taking it nice and easy and use this time to get to you a little more comfortable with the gym environment.

If you struggle with gym intimidation, here are some more suggestions.

Find an environment that you feel most comfortable in.

People love to make fun of Planet Fitness, but a space like that is perfect for those that don't want to be surrounded by loud weights and people grunting.

Remember that you go at your own pace. If you work with me, my goal is help you build a consistent routine that you can feel comfortable sticking to.

There is no rule that says in order to be healthy and in shape you have to be during burpees, endless cardio circuits, run on a treadmill, or lift very heavy weights.

You can also find an area in the gym that is tucked away from people.

Many gyms have side rooms, circuit rooms, and other areas that are away from the barbells and dumbbells.

Take advantage of these if you struggle

Bring a few dumbbells over, and knock out a quick circuit or 2.

Pick 3 exercises, do each one for 15 reps or 30 seconds, rest 30 - 60 seconds in between each one, and repeat them for 3-5 rounds.

As someone who has been in the health and fitness industry for long time, I have forgotten those first training day jitters.

However, that doesn't mean I have forgotten that you may have them too, but the good news is with time, a little effort, and consistency, your jitters will disappear as well!

If you are interested in getting more comfortable in the gym and with a fitness routine that is enjoyable and one that you can stick too, you have two options.

1. You can book a call with me by clicking this link: talk with Tim 

2. You can fill out a training questionnaire to share with me what you are interested in if you'd rather not jump right into a conversation. Click here for the form! Get the questionnaire here

It can be scary to ask for help.

However, my goal is to give you all the tools and resources you need to be the best version of yourself in and out of the gym!

All the best,

Tim Stiroh