Is gym anxiety a genuine concern or a trend created on TikTok to go viral? 

‘Gymtimidation’ is a phrase to describe anxiety about going to the gym and exercising in front of other people.  

The phrase has recently become more popular on TikTok as users describe their fear of not exercising properly.  

Personal trainer Jillian told Lunchtime Live said she has never experienced gymtimidation with clients – but people might get anxious in self-guided exercise.  

“It's not knowing what they're doing,” she said. “They're in the gym, they're wandering around, everybody seems to know what they’re doing, and they don’t know how to use this machine or that machine.” 

“When people sign up to the gym, they might half an hour introduction with a personal trainer, but that’s not enough time to actually know what you’re doing.” 

Guidance

Jillian said gyms should make more effort to give members guidance on how to use machines and exercise properly.  

She also recommended people go to a personal trainer in the beginning to gain more experience and confidence.  

“It’s expensive, however it’s a lot more costly in the long-term when you really injure yourself in a gym environment,” she argued.  

Social media

Listener Alan said gymtimidation is just another “pedal term to get a few more likes on TikTok”.  

“There’s nothing to be intimidated by,” he said. “When you go to the gym, most people are working out – they don’t even notice you because they’re so focused on what they’re doing.” 

Alan said it can be “nervous” to go into a new environment – but people have no reason to be intimidated.  

“This is probably the impact social media has on people,” he said. “It’s making people socially weak. People need to go off social media for a while and see the way it really works.” 

More often, people go the gym to post about it on social media, according to Alan, which can make the space seem intimidating.  

“If you're paying money to go to the gym, you're going there to better yourself,” he said “You're not going to take pictures.” 

Comparisons

Listener Elaine said any environment you go into for the first time can be intimidating – but the gym can create a particularly nerve-wracking environment.  

“You’re comparing yourself,” she said. “We start when we’re younger, seeing what children the same age as us are doing, and parents comparing little Mary and little Johnny to each other.” 

“We compare ourselves to others in the room. And that is where the issue is – maybe a bit of self-confidence as well.”