As the New Year approaches, you might find yourself looking for a new gym. I’m not going to lie, it can be scary and overwhelming exploring all the options out there. As a woman, you are not just looking for the best-equipped or nicest gym, you also are looking for a place in which you will feel safe and comfortable to work out…a place where you can go and be yourself. 

When you start your fitness journey, it can get lonely at times. Not everyone will understand why you are doing it. Some will question you or even call you crazy for spending all that time at the gym. So where do you find the support you need to get this journey started? The gym might be the right place for you to find the type of support you need. Even though everyone has their own journey, sharing similar challenges and goals will help you push through hard times and find balance between life and fitness.

As women, we face different stereotypes and challenges around fitness. Should we be lifting weight or should we stay in the cardio section? Should we take only pilates or yoga classes or can we dive into functional fitness classes and weight training? Though every day these stereotypes are being challenged by women, I can assure you that you second guess yourself every time you are at the gym. And it is okay. Stepping foot in a gym can be very challenging and intimidating. From guys lifting heavy weights and grunting to sweat marks on the floor and loud music playing, I don’t blame you if you feel lost or scared!  

Alongside how intimidating the gym can be, I have found that one of the most common barriers we face is the lack of knowledge around weight training and that feeling of not knowing where to start, which can hold you back from beginning your journey. I promise you are not alone. There is so much information out there about how women should train that it can get confusing and not motivating at all. 

However, it is possible to find a gym where you feel safe and comfortable to be yourself—a gym with a female community that is supportive and with whom you can relate and get the push you may need in order to reach your goals—a female-friendly gym where the professional coaches are there to support you and willing to guide you through the process of reaching your goals. At Central Athlete, we have a mixed community that is welcoming and ready to jump in to help whoever may need it. 

If you are going through the process of finding a new place to work out and don’t seem to find one that makes you want to join, look no further and stop by Central Athlete. Our coaches and community are ready to welcome you and support you in any ways they can!