Does the thought of going to a group workout give you instant anxiety? But do you find it hard to get into the groove of working out at home? This was me… before I started kickboxing classes and it was me again… when trying to decide whether I was going to force myself to get into working out at home or try to find another group workout class.
My anxiety came from just staying at home working all day and night while having little adult interaction, which is why group workouts are beneficial to my life AND sanity. This may not be the case for your group anxiety workouts but the tips I’m giving out today can work for a variety of scenarios.
Let’s get started!
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Ask a Friend How They Feel at their Gym/Fitness Class
Most people who get anxious during a group workout won’t say anything. They don’t want to cause a fuss or feel childish because they feel nervous.
Take the first step and ask your friend or family member how they feel when they’re in class. Sometimes just talking about it can be enough to make them feel better.
When I used to do kickboxing classes I had folks ask all the time how I felt when I was in class. Out of all the group fitness classes I’ve done over the years kickboxing ranks number one because the environment is just so warm, inviting, and laid back. It’s truly the definition of a no judgment zone and everyone lifts each other up.
In all honesty, I’ve even considered becoming a member again because of the environment, but other things hold me back like the location and trying to fit the class times into my life with work and the kid’s afterschool activities.
Go with a Friend to Their Gym/Fitness Class
The next step is to go with a friend. If one of your new year’s resolutions is to get fit, this could be the push you need to accomplish that goal.
Everyone feels more confident when they have someone they know and love around them. It will help them to take their minds away from how anxious they feel.
This worked for me when I did my first group fitness class, which happened to be Zumba. My cousin and I use to go together and it was nice working out with someone I knew, especially since Zumba is basically dancing and some of the moves were way above my dance knowledge.
Research the Exercises Performed and Then Watch YouTube Videos of the Exercises Expected
The most common cause of group fitness anxiety is not getting the exercises right and looking silly. You can ease this problem by looking up the exercises performed online and practice them yourself at home.
You can also film yourself using your phone and watch the footage back so you’re sure that you’re getting it right.
If there are new exercises, you can also watch these and be better prepared for your next class.
This was a big one for me before kickboxing. Initially, I had signed up for the 3-class promo through Groupon and had no knowledge of kickboxing at all. Therefore, before going to the first class I did research to look up reviews and was all on their social media pages watching the videos from class, so I could know exactly what to expect.
BUT…Do you know what? All that anxiousness was for nothing because the instructors walked you through the moves and as I said before the environment is just so chill and laid back.
Purchase Workout Clothes That Make You Feel Good AND Look Good
Are you anxious about a group workout because you’re worried about how you’ll look?
Help yourself by buying suitable workout clothes. Don’t just think about how practical they are. Think about how they make you feel. The right exercise attire is the attire that makes you look and feel good.
In my case, I love working out in leggings (preferably VS Sport) and a tank top. I have a variety of cute workout leggings and a black tank top matches with them all. I look nice, get complimented on my leggings, AND most important since they are stretchy, I can do virtually any workout in them.
See Also: What Essentials to Keep in Your Gym Bag
Pick a Class/Gym That is Known for Being Low Key vs a “Meat Market”
You don’t want to feel like you’re trapped in a meat market, where all the guys are taking selfies of their abs and all the girls are pouting in front of a mirror.
Working out has become something totally out of control in some places where it seems like everyone is already fit and just there to take photos for “The Gram”.
That’s why I recommend group workouts such as I Love Kickboxing.
Go places that are lower key where everyone is there for the purpose of getting fit and healthy. Avoid places that are known for being snobbish or overly competitive and you’ll find that group workouts come with a bunch of benefits.
See Also: Why I Recommend That You Try Kickboxing This Year
If You Still Have Anxiety Start Off Working Out at Home Until You Build Up Your Confidence
Still not feeling good about going to a gym or fitness class? That’s okay because you shouldn’t force yourself to go.
One way to get used to working out is to start off at home. You can create a home gym and it doesn’t have to cost you a lot of money. You don’t need the latest equipment or a personal trainer to get started. There are plenty of programs, such as Daily Burn, apps, and even free YouTube videos that you can use.
Final Thoughts – Group Workout Anxiety Is Real but You Can Conquer It
Group workout anxiety is a real thing, but it is something that you can conquer. Whether you’re trying to get back to your pre-baby body, just want to feel better in general, or are trying to replace a bad habit with a more positive one group workout sessions can help you reach your goals and in my experience make you look forward to working out.
Have you ever experienced group workout anxiety? If so, what did you do to conquer it?
Thanks for the advice to look up videos on how to do the exercises that you will be doing with your group so you don’t get embarrassed by not knowing how to do them right. This could help so many people that are afraid of going to the gym. I hope that more people will follow your advice and use it to go to the gym more often without feeling embarrassed.