HONG KONG A workout trend going viral on TikTok has found an audience with millions of women gripped by gym intimidation and fear of working out in public gyms.
Many women admit they feel overwhelmed walking into a male-dominated gym full of equipment they may not know how to use. As a result, they may feel anxious and self-conscious in public exercise spaces.|
This is where TikTok workouts for shy girls come in, helping those who prefer to keep a low profile at the gym, as well as those who prefer to exercise in the comfort of their own home.
Fitness influencers like Brianna Joye Kohn regularly post #shygirlworkouts on TikTok, where she has 2.1 million followers, and Instagram, where she has 1.1 million followers.
She was inspired by encountering women who were hesitant to go to the gym; either because they lacked knowledge about how to do movements like lunges or squats, or because they were afraid that others would judge them.
For Indian housewife Akriti Bhatia of Delhi, India, exercises for shy girls have been a game changer. The 35-year-old, who gained 15kg last year after her first pregnancy, says she was pressured to get in shape after her blood pressure and blood sugar and triglyceride (a type of fat) levels went out of balance after giving birth. .
I was desperate to get my health back for the sake of my baby and my family. However, going to the gym wasn’t an option because I had body image issues and felt intimidated by fancy gym equipment, she says.
Ms Bhatia hired a personal trainer and began exercising at home daily for 90 minutes with basic gym equipment. She combined her fitness regime with mindful eating and lost 15.5kg.
Experts say gym intimidation is a real problem that poses an obstacle for people who want to exercise but are put off by visiting unfamiliar fitness centers.
Women face a double whammy, says fitness trainer Abhijeet Sahoo, who trains eight women in the privacy of their homes in Noida, northern India.
Social pressures force women to strive to achieve the perfect figure [and] This pressure intensifies in male-dominated exercise environments, like the gym, where the focus is on people’s physicality, says Sahoo.
Women who suffer from body image issues feel uncomfortable in the face of inequality in these formal exercise spaces.
The workouts for shy girls are aimed at beginners or those who have anxiety about going to the gym, says Sahoo. The easy-to-use workouts help women overcome their inhibitions while empowering them to feel more confident working out at the gym in the future.
The routines can be done using just your body weight, which makes them perfect for practicing at home. All you need is a corner, a yoga mat and perhaps a pair of dumbbells, he explains.
A Sahoos client who wanted to remain anonymous talks about how strange she felt working out at the gym with so many people around her.
I felt overwhelmed by this nagging feeling that other people were judging me. Adding to my discomfort was the fancy gym equipment that I had no idea how to use. The weights section was especially scary for me as it was full of men with rippling muscles.
Discomfort at the gym can affect those who suffer from body image issues. Finnish research published in 2019 in the journal Fat Studies found that overweight people experienced harassment and ridicule while exercising. Many women in this study also reported feeling judged and even sexualized when they tried to use the gym’s weight room.
Fitness coaches offer more practical tips for shy people. When starting out, avoid busy times at the gym. This way, you won’t have to wait to use the equipment and you will have more time to learn how to use it correctly.
Try to schedule your gym session during times when there is less traffic on the machines, says Ms Sahoo. You’ll move around the gym more easily and most of the machines will be open for you to train and get the hang of. It’s also less stressful, which is good because your focus should be on well-being rather than managing your nerves.
Many clients also find it more comfortable to train at smaller training studios, where personalized, private sessions with a trainer are easily scheduled.
Another tip for overcoming anxiety at the gym is to work out with a friend. Ms. Sahoo suggests finding a friend or relative with similar goals to join a gym with you.
Most importantly, remember that no matter how fit, strong, or intimidating the people at the gym seem, they also started somewhere, probably very similar to where you are now. So persevere and you too will get there eventually. SCMP
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