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Are you nervous about going to the gym?
Having second thoughts on entering the gym with your skinny physique?
We have 5 practical tips to help you head into the gym with confidence and get over gym anxiety.
As a skinny person who plans to go to the gym for the first time, your mind is probably riddled with these questions: “What if they all laugh at me?” or “Which training equipment should I use first?”.
We will be your guiding hand in making your first gym visit a comfortable and rewarding one.
Before reading on, keep in mind that everyone started out as a newbie in working out.
There’s no reason to feel ashamed, embarrassed, or scared if you are planning to hit the gym as a skinny person. It’s all good, bro!
The Gym is not an Evil Place.
Perhaps the most common misconception about the gym is that it is always a place filled with arrogant bodybuilders or athletes who are full of themselves.
Believe it or not, the gym can be one of the friendliest places to go to – especially if you are on the skinny side.
Gym goers understand why a skinny person like you is entering the gym.
They know that you are in there with a purpose – to build muscle, improve your strength, and feel better about your body’s appearance.
More often than not, people in the gym are ready to give you advice on your training routine and are happy to offer suggestions in a kind way if you are doing something wrong.
With that in mind, we give you 5 friendly tips to help you step into the gym on your own without feeling weird.
Do Your Homework.
Now that you’ve decided to work out, that doesn’t mean stomping your way into the gym and trying to lift the heaviest barbell you can find.
Building a muscular physique isn’t just about lifting weights all day – you need a well-structured fitness program that caters to your muscle-building needs.
Plan which muscle groups you want to strengthen, learn how to use gym equipment the right way, and create a training schedule for you to follow every week.
There are loads of videos and articles online that cover the best training programs for skinny people.
Read up and broaden your knowledge on how muscle growth takes place, what kind of exercise you should perform, and what adjustments need to be made in your diet.
Once you have a basic understanding of how you plan to train your body, that’s the best time to suit up, head down to your local gym, and start sweating it out.
If you have any questions in your mind, there’s nothing wrong with asking a gym goer nicely for some advice.
A friendly piece of advice: It’s always a good idea to ask someone who is currently resting and not in the middle of an intense set. 😊
Focus on your Goal.
Let’s be honest here.
As soon as you step into the gym, don’t expect everyone to lay out a red carpet, hoist you up on their shoulders, and cheer you on like you are a bodybuilding god.
One or two people might give awkward stares – but that’s it!
It would be weirder if no one noticed your presence at all, as if you were an invisible being making the gym equipment move on its own.
Whenever you feel self-doubt setting in, always remember why you started working out in the first place. You want to improve the way you look.
You want to feel better about yourself. You want to step out in confidence and leave your skinny self behind.
Each rep you perform takes you one step closer to achieving that healthy physique that you’ve been dreaming of.
Go to the Gym on Off-Peak Hours.
The truth is, people go to the gym to work on their own bodies – not to sit around and make fun of other people exercising.
But if you really feel uncomfortable exercising with lots of people around you, you can opt to use the gym at a different time.
According to Brandon Mancine, a fitness expert with 20 years of gym experience, 10AM to 5PM are the off-peak hours for most gyms on weekdays.
During the weekends, most gyms have less people working out after 11AM.
The less people there are in your surroundings, the easier it is for you to focus on your workout. It also reduces the chance to wait around for machines to be available for you to use.
Patience is the Key.
Enter the gym with the mindset that building muscle requires time.
There’s no such thing as achieving a well-toned physique after just a few days of working out.
You need to put in hours of hard work, discipline, and commitment if you are looking to exercise your way to a muscular body.
Starting out skinny can actually be a good thing. You don’t have to worry about burning off excess fats or limiting the amount of food you consume each day.
All you really have to focus on is increasing your caloric intake and working out to tone your muscles.
Start taking pictures of yourself after your very first gym visit.
With regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a healthy lifestyle, you will gradually notice visible changes in your physique as time goes by.
Be Friendly and Respectful.
The last thing you want is to attract negative attention to yourself.
Showing off an arrogant, swaggy, or smug attitude in the gym can earn you disapproving looks from everyone in the gym.
It would surprise you to know that most gym goers are just like you – people who have their own fitness goals to hit and are willing to help out beginners at the same time.
Just stick to your reps, focus on your routine, be mindful of other people’s space, and you should be all right.
Is It Weird To Go To The Gym Alone?
It would be great if you had a buddy to workout with: someone who can guide you on your fitness journey and give you the motivation you need in building a muscular body.
But if you don’t have anyone to accompany you on your gym visits, there’s no need to worry or freak out – just go ahead and do it!
Always keep in mind that people go to the gym to improve their physique.
It is extremely likely that those muscular dudes around you also started out with a skinny physique just like yours.
Show up regularly in the gym and you will run into people who may eventually become good friends.
Basic Gym Etiquette for First Time Beginners
As you step into the gym, it’s easy to lose yourself in the chaos of people lifting weights, yelling and grunting while performing reps, and throwing barbells around.
Despite this seemingly terrifying scene, these gym goers are actually refined people who follow a basic code of conduct.
As a first-timer, there might be some gym etiquette rules that you are not aware of.
Showing courtesy in the gym creates an enjoyable experience, not just for you, but also for the people around you. Here are some do’s and don’ts for you to remember:
Return it where you got it.
This is arguably the most important rule in the gym. Leaving your weights on the ground after you exercise is downright rude and dangerous.
After using a piece of gym equipment, make sure to put it back where you got it.
Always ask first.
If you are not sure if someone is using a machine or a piece of exercise equipment, it is always better to ask. Don’t just walk up and hop on a machine that someone might still be using.
Respect other’s personal space.
You don’t want people standing beside you and watching you lift weights, do you?
If you are waiting for someone to finish using a piece of equipment, it’s not the best idea to hang around, cross your arms, and tap your foot impatiently in front of the person.
Find another machine to use, or move away and take a breather while you wait your turn.
Don’t be an equipment hog.
If you have the entire gym to yourself, you are one lucky fellow.
But when it gets crowded, you have to be willing to share a machine – especially if you see people waiting for you to finish your sets.
Wipe your sweat off of machines.
There’s nothing worse than picking up a dumbbell or barbell that is all wet with someone else’s sweat.
Wiping down machines after using them is a must.
This shows people around you that you value hygiene and cleanliness.
