Make Gym-timidation Your Friend

Gym-timidation is a term certain fitness centers use to describe the feeling many people have when they enter most gyms-fear. Fear of looking stupid when you don’t know how to use a machine. Fear of getting in the way of that guy who looks like he could punt you into next week. Fear of not fitting in. Fear of failure.

I get it. There was once a time when I only entered the weight room when it was empty. When I did start using the weight room with other people in it, I only tried exercises I hadn’t done before when they were gone. I spent way more time on cardio machines and running outdoors, because I knew I could do that without screwing it up (minus the times I tripped and fell, but that’s a story for another time).

I used to feel all those fears too, so I get it. I get how appealing an advertisement can be for gyms that claim “No Gym-timidation Allowed” and “Judgement Free Zone” because it feels safe. A gym filled with 90% treadmills is within your comfort zone-you know how to work those. A gym full of equipment you’ve never used before is anxiety inducing. There’s so many ways to make a fool of yourself!

Here’s the problem with staying inside your comfort zone- that’s not where the results are.

You belong in the gym, in the weight room, just as much as anyone else. You deserve to be there, to get the results you’ve always wanted, just as much as anyone else. I promise you, if you’re just brave enough to step outside your comfort zone and try something new, you can accomplish amazing things.

If you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and into the weight room, we’re here for you. We’ll show you around and answer all your questions. We’ll introduce you to some new gym friends. We even have personal training and group training to help you get those results you’re after even faster. Give us a call to get started!

We can’t wait to help you become the person you’ve always wanted to be.

22 WOD to End Veteran Suicide at The Strength Collective

Kristal Frisque- May Member of the Month at The Strength Collective Galesburg

Kristal in her natural habitat 🙂

This month’s Member of the Month is Kristal Frisque! Kristal is an artist and Owner of Art Defined Studios (check out the Facebook page here to learn more and get artsy!). She recently ran the St. Jude Half Marathon in Nashville, Tennessee. Read on to learn more about Kristal:

Q: What got you started working out?
A: My health. I knew that I needed to take better care of myself & have always liked strength training, so it was a good place to start. Plus, there’s lots of health problems that run in my family, so I wanted to be as proactive as I could be to fight off genetics.

Q: How many days per week do you typically work out? What groups are you a part of?
A: 5 days a week; I take the lunch class at SC & run with my running group, Sole Sisters.

Q: What’s your favorite exercise?
A: Riding my ElliptiGO! It’s super fun and great on your joints.

Kristal’s ElliptiGO! (It’s like a bike/elliptical hybrid!)

Q: What’s your favorite post-workout meal/snack?
A: I’ve never really had a routine with this, but I have used Advocare Spark & protein shakes….beer is great too!

Q: What do you find most challenging about working out?
A: My workouts are mostly solitary, in that I go for long runs or bike rides in the country by myself. Being a long distance runner, I not only have to prepare my schedule for the time I dedicate to my workouts, but also the mental game. I know that I’m going to have my aches & pains, but I have to endure through them when I’m out in the middle of nowhere & accept that I have to run back using the muscles that hurt.

Q: What keeps you motivated to work out regularly?
A: I love the pain! Seriously. The mental accomplishment keeps me going every time. The fact that I owned that workout is very gratifying.

Q: What advice do you have for someone who’s thinking about getting started in the gym?
A: Just do it! Don’t overthink it or you’ll never start. And your body, your level of fitness is enough. You do not have to fit a visual mold or wear the right gear. You are worth it & deserve to be healthy. We all come in different shapes and sizes, different areas of struggle. There’s no judgement at the gym. Everyone is super supportive and motivating.

After a hard Lean&Strong workout!

Q: What is something you couldn’t do when you started, that you can do now?
A: My core muscles are so much stronger! I still can’t do those blasted pushups, but that’s a long term goal to do them well & in good form.

Q: Tell us a random fact about yourself that people might not know:
A: I was born in Japan.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about working out at The Strength Collective?
A: Hands down the support and one on one help. Lord bless her, Jenna is SO patient with me! And both she & Kat will correct my form, so I can improve. The group is also amazingly supportive.

Thank you for being an awesome member, Kristal! We love having you as a part of our community!