| beautiful people -- buffed musclemen and lithe
supermodels. Nothing could be further from reality! Most people at gyms are
not perfect and are there to improve their health and appearance, too.
Indeed, you can be confident that most people are too busy worrying about
themselves to pay much attention to you! If you’re still shy, try to break
yourself in slowly by going at off-peak hours, such as early morning (5:30
a.m.), late morning (11:00 a.m.) or late afternoon (4:00 p.m.). The first
thing to do when choosing a gym is to visit one that is convenient to your
home or office. The more convenient the location, the more motivated you
will be to work out. Try to go at the time of day you would probably choose
to work out, to see how crowded it is, the types of people who go there
(i.e., if you are a new mom, you might prefer working out with other moms,
not body builders), and how friendly and interactive the staff is. If the
staff acts haughty or makes you feel uncomfortable, try somewhere else. It
is also a good idea to check out cleanliness of the facilities, particularly
the showers and workout equipment. Mildew can be a real turnoff. It is also
a good idea to inquire into the staff’s qualifications. You are sure to get
better assistance and training from a professional, not a college kid
working for the summer. Many people like to join a gym with a friend, both
for moral support and for motivation when you are looking for excuses not to
work out. Of course, some people consider working out a very personal
matter, and prefer to “go it alone,” which is fine, too. Don’t forget –
going to the gym should be a fun, relaxing experience and if it isn’t, you
need to find a new one. |
