Apr175 common fears about starting an exercise program
Let’s face it… Deciding to join a gym, hire a trainer or simply start working out can be down right scary and intimidating. This internal fear often keeps someone from starting up. But is it that bad? Of course not! Let’s look at the 5 most common fears about starting a fitness program in order to better help overcome them!
1) The fear that you are not “fit” enough to start.
It does not matter where you are at in your current fitness level. Once you start any workout program, it can be easily be modified to fit your needs. If you hire a qualified trainer they will be able to help you find the right level of exercise intensity to maintain in order to achieve your goals. The main reason you begin an exercise program is to get in shape, so remember that most people are not “in shape” when they start. If you get started and begin to feel that what you are doing is too much, then start to pace yourself more and and start a little slower.
2) The fear that you will not be able to perform everything due an injury or condition.
As with the above fear, any great coach or program will modify workouts to work around any particular injury or condition. One of the best reasons to hire a coach would be because of an injury, as a trainer or coach will be able to help instruct exercises without aggravating the problem. This is something you might not be able to do on your own.
3) The fear of not knowing where to begin or what to do in the gym.
There are so many exercise options out there. Therefore, it is not surprising that many people have no idea where to begin. There are two ways to attack this. The first is to decide to educate yourself. Pick up a book that explains muscle groups or start at home using a workout video to bolster your confidence. The second option would be to hire a qualified coach who can show you exactly what to do with proper forms and techniques.
4) The fear of being too sore.
It is completely normal to be a little sore after the first few workouts. It is important to understand that is perfectly okay. Please just make sure to stretch and foam roll the sore areas in order to help aid in recovery. If you are not sure how much exercise is too much, the next step would be to hire a personal trainer who can teach you how to do exercises without hurting yourself and help aid in understanding your limits. It is also important to include rest days into a workout routine.
5) The fear of failure.
This one is big! People may be afraid of failure and not even realize it. If you are not aware of it, this underlying fear can lead to procrastination or the lack of motivation to even try at all. The best way to tackle this is head on! Write out your goals and tell people about them! Make them SMART goals. If you find yourself always worry about failing, you will limit yourself and never start. Do not be afraid to start off slow and aim to reach small goals in order to build confidence. Embracing this fear from the start will not be easy, but it is a necessary step toward reaching your goals.