Skip to main content

Are embarrassment and intimidation obstacles to getting more exercise? New data

New data shows you're not alone if you've ever felt intimidation or embarassment at the gym.

Man leaning on barbell in gym workout home gym
Olly Man / Pexels

Even the most experienced gym buffs had to start somewhere, and most of them were intimidated and overwhelmed when stepping into the gym at some point in the past. What machine do you start with? What’s that machine for? A barrage of questions flutter through your mind when you embark on your journey to get fit. For many people, working out can seem exhausting before you even start, especially in the modern age of social media, where we often compare ourselves to idealistic snapshots of others. If you feel that way or have ever felt that way, this new data shows you’re definitely not alone. Let’s look at the data.

New data

Guy sitting on bench at gym holding water flask wearing black with white sneakers
Anastase Maragos / Unsplash

The new data from Nuffield Health’s Healthier Nation Index is eye-opening and involves a survey of 8,000 people in the United Kingdom. The goal is to help improve people’s health. 

Here are the results:

  • 40% of people said that gyms are too intimidating.
  • 33% of people haven’t dedicated any time to physical activity in the last 12 months.
  • Three out of four people weren’t reaching the British National Health Service guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week.
  • Over half of the people who aren’t moving enough reported low motivation as one of the main reasons behind the lack of exercise.
  • 49% of people reported a lack of energy.
Recommended Videos

Younger people and those with chronic conditions were more likely to face barriers to movement. Lots of younger people said that not knowing how to get started was the main reason for not getting enough exercise.

A decline in mental health

a man looking stressed by water
Nathan Cowley / Pexels

This new data showed that the lack of physical activity correlated with a negative impact on people’s mental health. 28% reported a decline in their mental health in the last year alone. Regular exercise is beneficial for physical and mental health. Physical activity has been shown to improve sleep and a range of psychiatric conditions. Research also highlights that exercise can reduce depression and anxiety and boost your mood. Going out for that run releases feel-good endorphins that can make your day better.

Tips to get started and diminish that intimidation

Man on treadmill with sleeveless shirt in gym
Olly / Pexels

Regular exercise can reduce your risk of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and stroke. Here are some top tips to help you get started with a workout plan and diminish intimidation:

  • Consider working with a personal trainer or physical therapist for guidance.
  • Consider joining an exercise class.
  • Find an accountability partner or a friend who is also starting a workout plan.
  • Try to set realistic goals.
  • Try to make it fun and stick to the workouts you prefer or enjoy.
  • Celebrate small wins.
  • Start slowly, and don’t do too much too soon.
  • Listen to your body.
  • Monitor your progress over time with a fitness tracker to help you stay motivated and see how much you’ve improved.
  • Remind yourself of the benefits of exercise and why you’re making this effort to improve your health and fitness.
  • See if you can find a time when the gym is less busy so you have more room to familiarize yourself with the equipment and your routine.
  • Start at home with remote personal training, an online class, or just a couple of dumbbells and a few exercises until you feel comfortable heading to the local gym.
Topics
Steph Green
Steph Green is a content writer specializing in healthcare, wellness, and nutrition. With over ten years of experience, she…
Can exercising along with protein supplementation lower inflammation? New study
Inflammation is a key driver of a range of diseases, from certain types of cancer to heart disease.
man sitting in gym drinking protein shake

Inflammation is a key player that fuels a range of conditions, from inflammatory autoimmune conditions to neurodegeneration and heart disease. The American Heart Association also states that chronic inflammation is a risk factor for heart disease. Research shows us that certain social, environmental, and lifestyle factors contribute to chronically higher levels of inflammation, including poor sleep quality, chronic stress, processed diets, and environmental toxins. 

On the other hand, certain lifestyle factors can help to bring those levels down. One of those is exercise. Researchers continue to report that exercise helps combat inflammation, which also brings those health risks down and probably just makes you feel better overall. On top of that, you have all the benefits of exercise to go with it, like trimming your waistline and perking up your mood.

Read more
7 weight bench exercises to build muscle with minimal equipment
Bulgarian split squats, decline push-ups, and more
Adobe Shirtless man kneeling on bench in gym doing tricep kickbacks exercise weight dumbbell

Do you only have access to a weight bench, either in your home gym or at a commercial gym, and are looking to get in an effective full-body workout? It certainly is possible! As a personal trainer, many clients I work with have access to minimal equipment, but this doesn’t mean they still can’t see progress with their muscle growth; it’s all about being creative.

Keep reading to discover what seven weight bench exercises you should give a try to feel the burn in both your upper and lower body and get a good sweat on!
Are weight bench exercises enough for a good workout?

Read more
Plogging tips from an expert: How to get the most out of your workout
Plogging is a well-rounded physical activity with plenty of benefits, from boosting energy to bone density.
man plogging outside jogging running carrying trash bag

Throwing that plastic water bottle, paper receipt, or food wrapper on the ground might not seem like a big deal for some, but it has highly damaging consequences for our environment and human health. Trash on our streets and beaches doesn’t just look unsightly; it also contributes to pollution, disrupts the ecosystem, and poses a threat to wildlife, soil, water, and air quality. 

According to the Environmental Literacy Council, several factors play a role in the amount of litter on our streets, including inadequate waste management systems and human negligence. Careless human behavior is the most common source of litter, especially in countries like the U.S., which really makes us take a step back and think. 
Doing our part

Read more