{"id":4759,"date":"2019-10-30T15:00:40","date_gmt":"2019-10-30T07:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/paulstokes.com.au\/?p=4759"},"modified":"2021-04-14T12:52:34","modified_gmt":"2021-04-14T04:52:34","slug":"is-your-lack-of-confidence-stopping-you-from-going-to-the-gym","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paulstokes.com.au\/is-your-lack-of-confidence-stopping-you-from-going-to-the-gym\/","title":{"rendered":"Is your Lack of Confidence Stopping you from Going to the Gym?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever struggled to get out the door and to a gym? Or did you get to the gym yet struggled to get going? If yes, then, you are not alone!<\/p>\n

Sometimes it is a challenge to leave the house to do that workout. We have all sorts of demands on our time and energy. Sometimes we even stop ourselves because of our fears. Fears about how out of shape or unfit we see ourselves as being. Or perhaps it’s because we have other ‘more important’ things to do.<\/p>\n

We all experience times when getting out the door and to the gym is challenging. This can be regardless of how experienced we are.<\/p>\n

So this article will help you get out your door and into the gym. You’ll find some strategies to overcome fears, build your confidence and tips to help you along the way.<\/p>\n

What’s stopping you?<\/h2>\n

From a beginner to an experienced gym participant, we’ve all been challenged to get to the gym for a wide variety of reasons.<\/p>\n

You might hesitate going because you are new and do not know what to do. Maybe you don’t know how to use the equipment. Or maybe you feel you are out of shape as compared to your previous fitness levels.<\/p>\n

Well, gym instructors are always on hand. They can introduce you to the gym and help you get familiar with the facilities and the equipment.<\/p>\n

New joiners are generally shown around by a gym instructor.\u00a0 They might ask you what your goals are, what you want to achieve and how often you intend to come to the gym. They then design a program and show you how to do each exercise.<\/p>\n

What if you are an experienced gym participant yet have not attended in a while? Gym instructors can also help you get back on track by revisiting and re-designing your program.<\/p>\n

Another thing you can do is to identify all the reasons why you are going. Make a list. Evaluate your reasons to determine what is stopping you. Then, ask yourself, what do you want instead? This can help you came up with solutions to those reasons.<\/p>\n

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In addition to overcoming any fears about actually going to the gym, you can also build up greater confidence to help you get through the door.<\/p>\n

Flex those confidence muscles<\/h3>\n

Confidence or lack thereof is another reason some people do not go to the gym. This is often based on past experiences and your own perception of how you ‘measure up’.<\/p>\n

You can, however, give yourself a boost of confidence and strengthen your overall confidence levels, just like you strengthen your body when you do exercise.<\/sub><\/p>\n

So, to start you strengthening those confidence muscles, reflect on recent successes and times when things went really well.<\/p>\n

Or, imagine what it would be like to have great success? What contributed to your success? What factors made a difference? Why did you succeed?<\/p>\n

Recognising what elements you have within your control means you can then re-create them again in whatever context you want that boost of confidence.<\/p>\n

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Take credit where credit is due, and let go of anything that is not within your control.<\/p>\n

Another way to boost your confidence levels is through using visualisation exercises.<\/p>\n

Watch Your Movie<\/h2>\n

You can boost your confidence levels and help you get through that door to do your workout by using a visualisation exercise which is just like watching a movie – where you are the director as well as the actor!<\/p>\n

You imagine, in as much detail as possible, the scenario where you want more confidence, such as after your workout or after several weeks of regular exercise.<\/p>\n

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Watch yourself in the scene doing all the things you are doing as if with strong levels of confidence. What would you be doing? What would you be seeing and saying? How would you be now? How would you be feeling?<\/p>\n

Then, whenever you feel you want to give yourself a boost, such as getting you out the door and to the gym, recall that movie!<\/p>\n

Tips to get through the gym doors<\/h2>\n

In addition to exploring any fears that might be stopping you and doing some confidence-building exercises, here are some tips to help you through those doors.<\/p>\n