9 Simple Hacks To Be More Confident At The Gym

Whether you’re a newbie or you’ve been going to the gym for a while, it’s normal to lack confidence at the gym. You may find yourself comparing your looks or the way you perform exercises with other people or you may have just started training and have no idea where to start or what to do!

Gym anxiety is very common, in fact people often refer to it as Gymtimidation. There are people who have been training for years and still often find themselves feeling shy or embarrassed at the gym.

But do not stress, I am here to help you with your confidence and anxiety! I have been training for 3 years and I have found a few techniques that have helped boost my confidence at the gym. Remember, we are all different so you may find certain techniques work better than others and thats okay. It’s about finding what works right for you and what makes you feel more confident working out!

HACK 1#: Wear clothes that make you feel confident

There is nothing that makes me feel more confident than walking down the street or into my workplace in a new outfit. That feeling of knowing and feeling like you look good automatically will boost your confidence levels.

Let’s say a hoodie and leggings make you feel confident, then wear that to the gym. Or maybe you feel powerful in a crop top and shorts, sweatpants and an oversized t shirt. That’s up to you to decide what you feel best in. Or if it means going shopping and buying yourself a new gym outfit. Do whatever you have to do to find outfits where you can wear them out and about and you feel good wearing them!

HACK 2#: Note down your workout routine beforehand

Make it a priority to show up prepared and ready. If you get to the gym unsure of what exercises you’re doing or what muscles you want to train, this can make you feel awkward or embarrassed because you’re walking around not knowing what you’re doing. Now this definitely knocks your confidence down!

If you prepare your workout routine beforehand you won’t have this issue. On your phone or in a notebook, note down your workout routine (exercises, sets and reps). Once you step foot into the gym you’ll know exactly what you’re doing and where you need to be to do your exercises, thus you won’t feel that awkwardness of not knowing what you’re doing and therefore helping you with your confidence!

HACK 3#: Workout with a friend

As great as it can be working out on your own, sometimes it’s more enjoyable working out with a friend or a family member! Personally, I feel more conformable working out with a friend as together we just don’t take things too seriously if one of us does something people may deem embarrassing or awkward, for example tripping over weights (I have done this many times and honestly people don’t even notice!).

Try and convince a friend to join the gym with you as it’s also a great way to motivate each other! It’s a great way to push and motivate each other to reach your goals. Training with friends is a great way to boost your confidence at the gym!

HACK 4#: Pay for a PT

If your lack of confidence is due to not knowing what exercises to do, when to do them and how to do them, you can consider working with a personal trainer. Of course there is plenty of information online about workout routines and diets, but if you feel you want professional help, personal training is ideal!

You can choose either personal training or online personal training. The difference between both is that personal training is face to face, whereas online PT is not face to face as it is all one online through constant check ins, video or phone call feedback, video tutorials and more! Choosing a PT can be a great way for to improve your gymtimidation and lack of confidence!

HACK 5#: Focus on you

A big reason people lack confidence at the gym is because they assume people are watching and judging them. In reality most people are so focused on themselves they barely pay attention to their surroundings. Of course it is not easy to just block everything out and focus on yourself, but you have to tell yourself that everyone at the gym is focused on themselves.

Focusing on you and remembering that everyone is way more focused on themselves than anything else is a great way to help your confidence!

HACK 6#: Work out during Off-Peak hours

There are hours during the day where the gyms are quieter. Usually the busiest times are in the afternoon when everyone has finished work and they head to workout at the gym between 5-7pm. The morning a lunch time are good hours to train as there tend to be less people.

Try going to your gym at different hours of the day and note which hours are the quietest. Going to the gym during off-peak hours can help you if you are struggling to feel comfortable at the gym. As there are less people you won’t have as awkward or overwhelmed to complete your workouts!

HACK 7#: Learn the gym equipment beforehand

It can feel awkward or embracing when you walk up to a machine at the gym and spent 15 minters trying to figure out how to use it. Something I have done before is to learn the machines before going to the gym. There is plenty of information online, such as Google, TikTok, Instagram, about how to use different machines at the gym.

You can watch videos and tutorials beforehand so once you step foot into the gym you´ll feel more confident knowing you understand how to use the machines at the gym!

HACK 8#: Sign up to a group class

If you feel extremely nervous working out alone, there are plenty of workout classes you can join. These classes are great as you can meet new people who are also in the same boat as you. It can help you feel less nervous being in a group setting as you will feel part of the team!

Besides helping you feel more confident at the gym it’s also a great way to make new friends who you share something in common with. You could even plan to workout together with people you meet at these classes!

HACK 9#: Find an online fitness community

Whether it’s creating a fitness based instagram account, a tiktok account or joining an online fitness forum, there are many ways to find these types of online communities. These communities are great, because it’s groups of likeminded people constantly challenging and motivation each other to achieve their goals!

Joining a fitness community can help you boost your overall confidence, make new friends and learn new things!

Are you ready to be your most confident self…

These 9 hacks above will help you feel more confident at the gym. Remember to be patient and consistent, confidence builds over time. It’s something that needs to constantly worked on. Try out these tips and let me know how they work for you. You go girl!