Conquer the Weight Room

As humans, we often look for connections. Connections with other humans are the basis of our daily interactions, our level of comfortability in our everyday lives. Often times, connections are much more easily contrived in the midst of common goals.

Imagine a room of motivated individuals, all looking to accomplish similar goals in order to achieve a more fulfilling reality: the gym can be the workplace of prosperity. Although on paper this seems like a Utopian concept, to many, the gym can be an extremely difficult and stressful experience. But why is this? Why does the gym seem to intimidate so many people, to the point of overtaking control of their desire to self-improve?

Ultimately, the gym is a place for everyone to enhance his or her health as well as self-confidence, despite many seeing the gym as a disheartening experience. Too often, people compare their physical strengths and weaknesses with others attending the gym, rather than focusing on the beneficial mental effects of the weight room. In order to get the most out of the experience, I have found it useful to encompass my mind by music, muting my environment completely.

Anyone you see as a role model in the fitness community, in terms of physical appearance, was once where you were. These people would never accomplish the things they have without first stepping over the hurdle of comfortability and confidence in a gym setting.

“Try to familiarize yourself with different machines and workouts before coming to the gym and also to have a workout plan, that way you look like you know what you're doing.” Griffin McDermott, a University of Maryland student and avid gym-goer says.

As for anything in life, goal-setting and having a plan for achieving those goal relieves a great deal of stress - with goals in mind, it will be difficult to focus at all on the uneasy feeling often associated with walking into a crowded weight room.

As stated by CEO of fitness company Swoledrik’s Fitness, as well as nutritional product distributor for AdvoCare, Gunnar Moldrik believes he has found the key to eliminating intimidation in the weight room. Rather than treating the occasion as just another day at the gym, he believes that, “[the weight room] is more than just lifting. It’s about creating a new lifestyle dedicated to bettering yourself!” In this fitness guru’s opinion, he believes this is the key to combat the uneasy feelings often - and naturally - associated with the gym.

Once you’re able to overcome this apprehensive nature, exercise will truly prove you benefits galore. According to an article written by nutrition and fitness writer Jody Braverman, published by Livestrong, benefits of weightlifting include decreased risk of harmful conditions including diabetes, building mental strength, and increased heart health, just to name a few. Even while leaving out the obvious physical changes that will occur with time at the gym, there are many additional health benefits that can ultimately result in a longer, more satisfying life.

Rather than allow feelings of trepidation to seemingly overcome your mindset in pursuit of fitness, think of your goals and plans to reach them - through these, guidance will find you.