Gymintimidation
Picking up heavy things and putting them down again… seems a simple enough concept right?
Yet this January seems different to the others. I have been exercising religiously for the last 5 years- this was not my first rodeo. I just couldn’t seem to shake this pressure of having the perfect 5x a week exercise routine in January.
Being bombarded constantly on social media with “New Year, New You” is in full swing. Everywhere there is the hustle of a morning Açaí bowl and HIIT workout. If you haven’t taken up a new hobby, then you most likely have plans to become a ‘healthier, happier you’. Don’t get me wrong, this is probably wise and I have definitely had a few new years resolutions like this in the past. But it seems that the pandemic has left everyone wanting to ‘seize the day’ a little more aggressively than usual.
I have mainly been bothered by Gym intimidation or ‘Gymintidation’ (verb/noun). The feeling when entering the gym you are afronted by obnoxiously bulky men and gorgeously toned women and want to turn around and go home. Yep, that’s me. For a whole week after New Year’s Day, I would get dressed in my new TALA leggings and Gymshark sports bra only to get to the changing rooms and leave.
Eventually, I shook the feeling off and I’m back to making awkward eye contact with men when hip thrusting and queuing to get water. If, like me, you have succumbed to the pressures of exercising in January and want to overcome ‘Gymtimidation’ then here’s a few things that I found helped me.
- Don’t go.
You heard it. If it doesn’t feel right, don’t force it. I wasted so much time walking and getting the bus for no reason. Instead, I could have spent that time walking through a lovely park or by the beach. This is still light exercise (for most) and does wonders for the mind too.
2. How exactly are you exercising?
Okay so you have decided you want to get out of bed. Now what? I was so bored with the usual picking up heavy things, that I decided to give yoga and Pilates a go. And do you know what? Turns out it isn’t just for your Grandmother or your cool aunt, it can be as challenging or as breezy as you like it. Also, all you need is a mat or carpet and requires little space. This makes for very efficient travel from(and back to) the bed.
3. Podcasts not music.
If you have found yourself in the gym. First, congrats we made it. Secondly, what you listen to matters. If loud grunting isn’t for you, make remembering earphones a conscious effort and a workout playlist. The playlist is personal and can be very effective for PB’s however, podcasts really come into play on the treadmill or mat. Stick on your favourite podcast you might listen to while waiting for the bus and just go through the motions of the workout. Personally, I love ‘agony aunt’ style podcasts and find myself giggling through but there’s hundreds out there. The interest you take in listening to people talk can be far more distracting than Disclosure or Rudimental, trust me.
Give these a go and see where they take you- even if it’s just to the living room for yoga.
