It's hard enough getting yourself to the gym, so when you do show up, you don't want to deal with judgement or get embarrassed. A study was done by MyProtein.com, to find out just how intimidated North Dakotans get by the gym.

Fear of judgement:

According to the study, 50 percent of people say they don't like going to the gym both because of COVID-19 and fear of judgement.

No one wants other people watching them struggle up the stair-climber, I get it.

The company found that more that a quarter of the people surveyed consider themselves ‘extremely concerned’ on how other people perceive them while working out. A strikingly small number of people were unbothered --only 12 percent. (More statistics below)

 

Figuring Things Out:

Can we talk about how awkward it is trying to figure out how to use the machines?

I swear, I've looked at a machine and thought "What is this, a guillotine?!"

The pictures help, but sometimes I just don't get it. In those moments, I feel like everyone is watching me, and I know I'm not alone. Eeeek!

My Solution:

If there's ever something I don't know how to use or do, I wait.

Like a lion stalks its prey, I wait for someone else to come along and use it and hope they know what they're doing.

Now, I don't go running over there right after they get done, because you've got to play it cool. You don't want to look to obvious. Well, it's that, combined with a little stage fright. I've got to work up the nerve to give it a go.

Another Insecurity:

It's not only about how you look, and figuring out how to use the machines. Personally, I get a little embarrassed by my weakness. Let me give you a scenario: you just finished shredding your arms on some sort of bicep curl contraption, you've only got about 20 lbs on that baby; what do you, a normal person do? You get up, wipe the machine down, and walk away. What do I do?

I move that weight setting up to abut 50 lbs, so people think I'm tough.

In this same study done by MyProtein.com, they found that 15 percent of people would pay more for a gym membership at a place that doesn't make them feel like they are being judged. Personally, I feel judged everywhere I go in life, but yes I see the appeal.

Another Gross Thing:

I wasn't going to go there, but it needs to be said. How awful is it getting off of a machine, and finding butt-sweat in your seat? If only I moved as fast on the treadmill as I do to the cleaning stations to get that scrubbed clean before anyone else sees. It's honestly painful.

Gym Fashion:

I think part of the judgment comes from the gym fashions. Like, we're wearing hats and glasses now? The scrunchy booty-lifting leggings are "in," crop tops only, and you better have a tan. The gym is like a runway! If you want to fit in, you better be willing to drop some serious money on those Lululemons and Fabletics leggings.

You just can't show up with those holey-crotched sweatpants anymore. The fit has to be on point.

The Study Produced Some Other Interesting Statistics: 

Their research found that 71 percent of people would rather work out alone, than with a partner.

33 percent of Baby Boomers were found to hit the gym in the morning, whereas 31 - 34 percent of Gen Zers and Millennials go in the evening.

77 percent of the people who responded to the survey said they prefer an indoor workout to working out outdoors.


 

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