Apr 29, 2022 09:00:00

What are the 6 ways to overcome the 'gym phobia' that makes you feel anxious and scared about going to the gym?

There are people in the world who have ' gym timidation ' who want to go to the gym for their health and muscle training, but cannot get rid of their fear and anxiety about the gym. increase. Dr.

Jenny Meggs , a sports psychology instructor at Lancaster University, explains useful 'six ways' to overcome such gym phobia.

Six ways to get over'gymtimidation' – your anxiety of heading to the gym
https://theconversation.com/six-ways-to-get-over-gymtimidation-your-anxiety-of-heading-to-the-gym-174740

'Jim phobia' is fairly common among people who visit the gym for the first time or go to the gym for the first time in a long time, and in a survey of 2000 Americans, about half experienced gym phobia, and the United Kingdom. A study showed that one in four women was afraid of Jim.

'There are several reasons people are afraid to go to the gym,' Meggs said. 'I go to the gym because I'm afraid of being judged by others, I'm afraid that certain exercises may not be appropriate. I'm afraid of comparing myself to other people . '

But one of the biggest reasons many people are phobic to Jim is that they consider Jim to be an 'unfamiliar or intimidating place.' Humans tend to prefer predictability, and uncertainty is associated with emotions such as fear and anxiety. 'This is a lot of anxiety about'I don't know what's going on at the gym'because it's hard to tell from the outside what's going on at the gym,' said Meggs.

Meggs also points out that people who go to the gym for the first time have less self-efficacy, which is the recognition of the possibility that they can achieve their goals. Self-efficacy is a belief in one's skills and abilities and is deeply linked to human motivation, so low self-efficacy can contribute to the hesitation in going to the gym.

To avoid these emotions that lead to gym phobias, Meggs recommends six methods:

◆ 1: Focus on simple muscle training at first
Suddenly trying to do difficult muscle training will increase anxiety, so it is better to plan an exercise that is simple and easy to master at first. Also, having an alternative exercise in case the gym is crowded and you can't use the machine can help reduce anxiety.

◆ 2: Find out about gyms and machines in advance
Not knowing where the gym is can lead to anxiety, so it's helpful to research the gym and the machines there in advance, and in some cases online to find out how to use the machine, to relieve gym phobia. Also, on the first day, it is good to reserve the guidance of staff and personal trainers instead of doing everything by yourself.

◆ 3: Decide on a training routine in advance
Instead of going to the gym and trying to figure out what to do, Meggs said he would search for training for beginners online or talk to a personal trainer to predetermine a training routine. Recommended. By deciding what to do in advance, you can prevent anxiety about 'I don't know what to do' in front of the machine.

◆ 4: Participate in group exercises for beginners
Instead of going to the gym alone from the beginning, you can take part in group exercises for beginners. It has been suggested that being with people in the same position may help increase self-confidence and reduce anxiety, and exercising with others

is also beneficial for mental health. I am .

◆ 5: Aim for a time when it is not crowded at first
'Go to non-peak hours at first, which may help you get used to the gym and give you confidence, and less people may be less nervous,' said Meggs. I am.

◆ 6: Accept anxiety and tension
Everyone who tries new things feels anxiety and tension, and people with gym phobia can take a step forward by admitting and accepting that they feel anxiety and tension. As a way to deal with tension, Meggs recommends the practice of mindfulness .