As a beginner, entering a new gym can be intimidating. There are so many machines you’ve never seen before and you may find yourself amongst a crowd of very fit people. Feeling a little out of place, this may cause you to stick to one corner of the gym, not venturing into the areas that’ll really bring you optimal results – the free weights section.

Don’t let this happen to you. While it’s true the gym can be scary at first, it doesn’t have to stay this way.

Let’s look at four ways that beginners can get past their gym fears and onto greater success.

Book A Session With A Trainer

Perhaps the single best way to overcome your gym fears is to simply book a session with a personal trainer. The trainer will help be with you at all times, guiding you around and giving you the direction you need.

This goes a long way towards putting your mind at ease, giving you the comfort of knowing you aren’t doing anything wrong.

Many trainers cater to beginners and some gyms even provide free introductory sessions, so be sure to inquire about this.

Buddy Up

Doing anything new is less scary when you have a partner by your side, so also consider buddying up. Find a family member or close friend who’s interested in improving their fitness and hit the gym together. When in pairs, you’ll feel less alone and between the two of you, may be better able to figure out how to navigate some of the equipment in there.

And always remember, there should always be gym staff on hand to show you how to perform any given exercise if you really need the assistance. Don’t attempt to do something you aren’t sure of or you could wind up injured.

Ease In Slowly

Also remember to ease in slowly. It may be a little overwhelming at first trying to learn how to use all of the machines, so work your way into it. Learn one or two new machines or exercises per day and then focus on what you already know. You’ll be a pro in no time.

Many beginners also find that working on the machine weights tends to be less intimidating than doing free weights, so also consider this while you are finding your comfort level.

Consider A Woman’s Only Gym

Finally, if you are a woman and find you feel intimidated by the gym due to the number of men who are in the free weights section, why not consider joining a woman’s only gym? These are becoming more and more popular amongst the female crowd and can be an excellent way to get past your gym fears and feel more comfortable.

So there you have a few quick tips to know and remember. As you get going, you’ll find that it’s not nearly as scary as you first thought and before you know it, you’ll feel like the gym is your home away from home.

[Image via Getty]