25 Sep Common Excuses for Avoiding the Gym

If you don’t have the space for workout equipment at home, you might want to consider heading over to the gym for a workout until you are able to create your own at-home workout space.  If you find yourself spinning your wheels and failing to sign up for a gym membership, you may be suffering from what we refer to as “gymphobia.”

There are many reasons that people experience gymphobia.  Do any of these sound like you?

Big Gyms are Scary

Depending upon where you live, it may seem like the only gyms available are large super-gyms.  If these gyms make you a feel a bit nervous, do a little more looking around and you will probably be able to find some smaller gyms in your area too.  If you really do have a phobia of working out in a larger gym or if you are feeling frightened by the thought of attending a gym, visit several different gyms so you can get a feel for the layout and get more comfortable with what the gym has to offer. Of course, if you set up a home gym, you won’t have to worry about it!

I Feel Self-Conscious

Many people feel self-conscious about attending a gym.  You may be afraid that everyone at the gym will be in better shape than you or that they will be staring at you as you workout.  The important thing is for you to remember that you are at the gym to help improve your own health and that the opinions of the other people at the gym do not matter.  In addition, many of the people at the gym probably feel the same way about their bodies and are too busy working on their personal routines to worry about what you are doing with yours.  Once again, if you set up your own home gym, this won’t be such a concern.

I Don’t Know How to Use the Equipment

If you have never used the gym equipment before, you likely won’t know what to do with it once you arrive at the gym.  Don’t worry!  You aren’t the only one to be confused by the equipment.  Just ask a staff member to take you around to all of the equipment and show you how to use the machines.  After you get familiar with them, you will be more comfortable and able to use the machines to their fullest capabilities.  Even with a home gym, you will have to get familiar with your equipment before you can use it fully.

I Don’t Want to Take Classes

If you are uncomfortable using the machines or if you don’t know how to put together a good exercise routine, you might want to take some classes.  Depending upon your fitness level, however, the class may move too quickly or too slowly to suit your needs.  Even if this is the case, taking a class may help give you some good ideas for creating your own home routine once you get the equipment installed in your home.