FOR SOME PEOPLE, strolling into the gym ready to go hard on the treadmill or flexing their muscles in the weights room is easy as pie.
But for others, the thought of stepping foot inside a gym and being judged by all those uber-buff, athleisure-clad fitness enthusiasts is a terrifying prospect.
Here are some common barriers:
Self-efficacy
Self-efficacy refers to a person’s confidence in completing specific tasks. As we age, there can be a loss of enthusiasm for most activities, except walking. The loss is a perception of decreased fitness and body competency. Sadly, having a sedentary lifestyle creates further deficits in body competence, leading to eventual cumulative fears.
Fear of Injury
When older adults believe that their bodies are unfit and incompetent, they naturally fear injury. Fear of falling, getting hurt, and general safety are barriers for older adults. A sedentary lifestyle exacerbates their losses in self-efficacy and fear of safe locomotion.
Inertia
Apathy or laziness for many older adults is the reason for not exercising: boredom, a lack of energy, or the determination necessary to exercise.
Depression and Anxiety
Body competency and mental sharpness in older adults dealing with life changes, retirement and caring for frail persons more senior than themselves. Feelings of depression are among the top five reasons for reduced activity in both older adult exercisers and non-exercisers.
Self-consciousness
Older adults consider the worst part of ageing to be the changes to their physical appearance. Poor body image makes them fear exercising in gyms or other public areas.
Health Problems
Chronic illness, joint pain, disability, etc., are common health problems that can keep older adults from exercising. They may fear pain, further injury, or sickness or assume that they can’t physically do the work.
No Time
Older adults spend a lot of time at doctor visits and pharmacies, which they say doesn’t allow them to exercise—or juggle multiple responsibilities, such as caring for grandchildren or older parents.
Try taster sessions
Shop around to find the friendliest gym near you, many offer free taster sessions or day passes, so you can check out the members and see if it has people like you too.
You will be surprised to see most people don’t care what’s happening around them because they’re too busy doing their own thing.
Go with a friend
Taking a gym buddy is always a good first step– safety in numbers – especially someone who goes regularly – you feel less self-conscious.
Ask for help
The staff are there to help, so don’t be afraid to ask for assistance, or just a few tips, if you need it. Many gyms require an orientation session, which can be helpful if you want to know which machines to use and ask for guidance on how to use them correctly.
Book a personal training session
If in doubt, seek help from a professional. A personal trainer can help you decide how to use your time in the gym, whether you’re looking to build muscle, lose fat, improve your cardiovascular fitness or a mixture of all three.
And you don’t always have to sign up for weeks or months – one or two sessions might be all you need to get your confidence up so you can go it alone.
