Gyms, you either love them or hate them. You might love the gym because of the wide variety of exercise machines, but what if the gym isn’t your thing? More often than not, gyms can be quite intimidating to newcomers; whether it be because of how fit the crowd tends to be, or because you don’t know where to start. The thing is though: that’s OK. Everyone starts somewhere! One of the best ways one can approach the gym or exercising from home would be to not sweat it too much. Try to go into it with a strong and open mind. No amount of extra stress will make your workout better, but rather make it worse. The biggest piece of advice would be this: have fun!
Start small and listen to your body
A good piece of advice would be to start small. Whether it be with small weights, small sets, or even small goals. It’s best not to start with a really high standard for yourself, especially if you are new, and nothing is worse than pulling a muscle or overwhelming your body by starting off too intensely. Go into the gym with realistic goals, and listen to your body and mind. The only real pressure is how much you put on yourself. Just as long as you focus on yourself while at the gym, you should be set.
Don’t stress — or bring a friend
Most people go there to workout, not to judge, and that seems to be the universal unspoken rule. Sometimes it is best to just put on your earbuds and listen to whatever gets you pumped. If tuning out the whole world isn’t your thing, working out with friends alleviates so much pressure. Find a friend with a similar general fitness as you, and that way both of you can keep each other accountable and motivated. And if you ever feel intimidated by other individuals at the gym, you know your friend has your back.
Keep it clean
Personal hygiene was already a priority pre-pandemic when it comes to gym niceties, but it’s especially important now to keep yourself and your space clean when visiting a public space. Be sure to wear your mask at all times (and put extra energy into finding one that’s comfortable for your face!), wash those hands and follow all cleaning instructions at your gym to help everyone out.
Alternatively…
If gyms still aren’t your thing, there are still so many ways one can exercise without getting a membership anywhere. Skateboarding, biking, hiking, rock climbing, running and walking are all great ways to stay fit. If you want to workout without even leaving your own property, it is best to develop your own workout routine. One can easily do push ups, situps, planks etc… all while in your own space. You could also do yoga, meditation and breathing exercises as those can help remove stress, all while working out your mind, body and soul. There are also immense benefits to taking cold showers, and even taking ice baths. If you want to take your fitness and/or mindfulness to a whole new level, the Wim Hoff breathing method has got you covered. The Wim Hoff breathing method is something that can help boost the body’s natural immune response, as well as control their sympathetic nervous system.