Introverts Working Out in Gyms
Getting in shape is something that many people struggle with, but for introverts the idea of heading to the gym and working out amongst other people can be a major challenge. Introverts are not necessarily anti-social, but they tend to be more particular about when they will socialize. People at the gym might offer suggestions or want to strike up a conversation and that could be a social anxiety trigger for introverts. If you are an introvert who is trying to find a way to make going to the gym possible, there are a few tips you can try.
Decide to Go
Sure, it seems simple but the actual decision to go to the gym may be something you go back and forth about. It is important to decide to go, put it on your calendar, and make sure to keep your schedule clear for that time. Once an introvert has made up their mind and decided to go out in public, they have time to prepare for it and approach the trip with positivity.
Make a Phone Call
Call the gym and find out when their least busy time for the equipment you want to use is each day. Many people hit the gym on their lunch break or right after work, so your best option to avoid crowds and conversation may be to go before work or later in the evenings. A 24-hour gym will offer you more freedom with planning your workout time.
Headphones Are Your Friend
Make sure when you go to the gym that you take your phone and headphones. While you work out you can listen to music or an audiobook and people will be less likely to want to have a conversation with you when they see your headphones.
Practice Makes Perfect
As you become a familiar face at the gym, you will find that you can smile and say hello to anyone in your path and continue to do what you were doing. After all, everyone else there has a workout to do too and probably doesn’t want to chat with you for 20 minutes.
If you simply cannot make yourself go to the gym or if you feel too uncomfortable to enjoy your workout, you can always look into setting up a home gym and work out in your own space. The expense is about the same over time as a gym membership and the benefit of not having to go out to workout is tremendous. Don't let being an introvert stop you from getting a good workout in!