You may understand the importance of regular exercise and the benefit it has on your health, but you still can't shake the anxiety that surrounds your decision to join the gym because you're afraid you will be judged. And you're not alone.

A growing number of women have admitted they don’t go to the gym out of fear of judgment, and according to a survey by Fitrated (via Fitness Magazine), there are many things about the gym that gives women anxiety. As much as 55 percent of women are afraid of being judged because they feel they don't look fitr

But there is a way to work through this gym anxiety, and according to Precor, a way to do this is to plan your workout ahead of time. The publication notes this will make you accountable, and you can work through the things on your list, but it will also help you focus on your workout, and when you are truly focused everything else won’t matter.

Another way to break the anxiety would be to start exercising during the off-peak hours to avoid the crowds and the fitness junkies. You may feel more at ease when there are fewer people, and the publication notes how it will give you time to observe others using the equipment to get a better understanding of how everything works. Fitness magazine also notes that many women feel anxiety because they are unsure of how the equipment works, but the best way to resolve this would be to ask a trainer or watch YouTube instruction videos online.

There is safety in numbers, and bringing a friend to workout with at gym is like having a safety blanket. According to My Fitness Pal, Cassy Velez, NASM-certified personal trainer, claims that “Social support is a huge element when it comes to starting and maintaining a health and fitness routine.”

You could also try out group classes, and according to Fitness magazine, there's no shame in hanging around the back of the class until you feel confident.

Lastly, remember you’re not alone in feeling the way you do, and no one is there to judge you, and if they are, this simply suggests that they are suffering from their own insecurities. According to Routine Excellence, the majority of people are unconcerned with what you’re doing. Have confidence, and remember the reason you are in the gym in the first place.

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