How FITISM Helped Me Overcome My Fear of the Gym

Let me start with a confession: gyms used to terrify me. Not in an “I’m mildly uncomfortable” kind of way, but in a full-blown “please don’t make me go” sort of way. I was convinced gyms were spaces reserved for the super fit, the effortlessly confident, and those who know how to use the SkiErg without accidentally whacking themselves in the face. 

Turns out, I wasn’t alone. According to research from PureGym, nearly 50% of Brits experience “gym anxiety,” with common fears including being judged, not knowing how to use the equipment, and looking out of place. For years, I was one of those people.

So when I signed up for FITISM’s 6-Week Challenge, I was brimming with insecurities. Would I be the weakest in the room? (Yes.) Would everyone else be fitter than me? (Also yes.) Would I feel like a total fraud who had no business being there? (Absolutely.)

But here’s the thing: none of that mattered.

The First Step is the Scariest

I remember my first FITISM class vividly. The trainer, Ali, greeted me with the kind of warmth that instantly made me think, Okay, maybe I can do this. Then came the dreaded InBody scan – a device that doesn’t sugarcoat your body composition. Seeing my stats in black and white was confronting, but it also gave me clarity: I wasn’t here to compete with anyone else. I was here to get stronger, healthier, and maybe, just maybe, learn how to use a dumbbell without feeling like a total fraud. 

It’s Not a Gym; It’s a Community

One of the things I like most about FITISM, is that it doesn’t feel like a typical gym. It feels like a group of people who all decided to better themselves and, somewhere along the way, decided to cheer each other on while doing it. From day one, I never felt judged or out of place. In fact, even though I was (by far) the weakest person in the room, I never felt self-conscious – I felt supported.

Learning the Language of the Gym

If you’re someone who avoids gyms because you don’t know what you’re doing – I hear you. Machines baffled me, weights intimidated me, and the thought of someone watching me attempt a squat made me want to curl up in a ball and cry.

But that feeling dissipated so quickly at FITISM. The trainers didn’t just tell me what to do – they taught me how to do it properly. They explained why certain movements mattered and how to avoid injury. By the end of the six weeks, I could walk into any gym, pick up a barbell, and actually know what to do with it.

Now when I travel for work – I actually have the confidence to walk into a hotel gym and get started. And if I’m ever unsure, the FITISM trainers will even send over a workout tailored to what’s available. That little bit of support makes all the difference.

From Dread to Routine

I won’t lie – at first, I dreaded my classes. I’d check my phone every five minutes, hoping for a last-minute cancellation (from me, not them). But somewhere around week three, everything shifted. I started looking forward to my sessions. I enjoyed seeing the same familiar faces, celebrating little wins, and surprising myself with how much stronger I was getting.

So, if you’re reading this and feeling the same gym anxiety I once had, trust me: take the leap. It’s scary at first, but you’ll be amazed at how much you can grow –physically, mentally, and emotionally – when you realise the only person judging you is yourself.

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