Some tips for increasing your confidence in the gym

We have all been in that dreaded position where we enter the gym and it feels like every single member has come to the gym at once and knows exactly what they're doing. You look around and all the treadmills, bikes and cross-trainers are taken, and the weights area is inhabited by guys in hooded tank tops and a disturb if you dare attitude...

At this point, you have two options; turn and go home, or stay and work around it.

While I completely understand why many would choose option one, before you do, I'd like you to remember the following few tips.

1) No one in the gym has any more right to equipment or space than you do. We all pay fees to be there, and are only doing ourselves a disservice by not using it.

2) Remember that before every experienced gym buff, there was once an inexperienced novice. The person who you are afraid to disturb, or ask to work alongside, was once in your shoes and would not be where they are now if they hadn't once said ... "Eh excuse me, could I please borrow the 8's?"

3) Regularity is key. I know you're busy, and it's easy to say "oh I'll do that next week", but always remember you NEED to do this - even a little bit helps.. Exercising regularly isn't a passing fad, it's a necessity to manage weight, improve mental well being and boost just about every bodily function.

And if all that sounds great to you, but you'd still rather have a bit more experience and knowledge before you choose number 2, thats where I could come in!

My dad loves weightlifting, and had my brothers and I in the gym from about 12 - I even won some competitions! But you'll see from the pic above that in my later teens and early 20s, a diet of bread, pasta and some beers led to an overweight inactive shy gym goer that might have chosen to just go home.

But I had my dad and others who helped give me some confidence back, and it mainly came through having a plan, and more importantly seeing results.

So, if you would like help with your exercise habits, need a plan, or are lacking in the confidence necessary to get the most out of your workouts, why not get in touch. 

What have you got to lose? Except maybe those stubborn last few pounds!