You’re Not the Only One Who’s Nervous About Starting
There are few people who join the gym because they feel “in shape.” In fact, the exact opposite is true! Most people who join the gym don’t feel “in shape,” and arrive at a moment where they are ready to make a change.
With change comes fear of the unknown. Common fears associated with joining the gym include unfamiliar faces, new movements or concern that you will not know what to do. This is something that everyone feels in some form or fashion, no matter how experienced of a gym-goer you may be. This is the product of change, and it will be uncomfortable. The good news is through change and discomfort comes growth. Longtime members of the gym remember the days of discomfort and uncertainty, but it is not long into time spent at the gym that those nerves fade at the hand of supportive coaches and a welcoming gym community.
The First Step Is Just Walking Through the Door
Nearly everyone can acknowledge the fact that it takes courage to do anything for the first time. Taking your first steps into the gym doors is no different. Every new member will experience first day jitters. However, the difference between a good gym and a great one is how quickly those “jitters” fade away. In a gym like CrossFit Topside, where a warm welcome and new friends are waiting for you each class, there is a near promise of expedited feeling of acceptance and belonging. The only thing you need to do is take your first step into the gym.
What Happens the Moment You Step Into a Gym
You walk into the doors of CrossFit Topside – immediately you hear music playing, members chatting, and one of the coaches saying “Hey! Welcome in!” There is never a time where you are left on your own. The moment you walk in the doors is the moment you are a part of the community. Everything at the gym is done as a group, from pre-workout conversations to warm-ups; from the workout itself to cool-down stretching; even to the moment you walk out the doors (or getting into your car!). Sound like a lot? That’s because it is the entirety of the gym experience, done with the coaches and fellow members! Unlike traditional gyms, you will not find yourself lost or wandering around unsure of what to do next. At the gym, you are guaranteed not only a great workout, but a personal experience.
How Your First Workout Is Structured to Help, Not Humiliate
One thing that makes this gym unique is that workouts are easily tailored to any skill level. The intent with every class is not for every single person to operate as a pro. Instead, the goal is for each member to get the best workout possible, for them, wherever they are at. Programming is infinitely scalable, with the common theme of enabling confidence in fitness abilities and achievement of “wins” (whether big or small). Coaches will take the time to demonstrate all movement variations before the workout begins, and will work to the individual level before the workout starts to ensure everyone has a plan catered to their goals for the day. The best part is, everyone has the opportunity to focus on themselves – there is no one “keeping score” of the performance of those around them. Instead, everyone has the opportunity to bring their best on any given day.
What You Can Expect From Your First Week in the Gym
Your first week in the gym is spent learning new names and getting excited about being a part of a new community. Your coaches will remain available to guide you through new movements or terms, until the point where it becomes automatic! You will feel sore and that’s a good thing! This means your body is adapting to the change and building on the efforts you are putting forth. This means you are taking first steps towards accomplishing new goals. Your first week is the first of many to come, seeing as it is consistency that makes all the difference rather than perfection in small bursts. We have found that new members are often surprised by how quickly they start to look forward to showing up. However, when you consider the support and the community that lives within the doors of this gym, it all makes perfect sense!
The Gym Is About More Than Exercise
There should be more to “going to the gym” than just getting a workout in. Going to the gym should mean you have a chance to see friends. In a community like this, there are bonds made that cannot be replicated in any environment. Going to the gym should mean you have people around you to hold you accountable. This also appears in the form of people noticing when you are showing up for yourself, consistently in class, and missing you when you are not. Going to the gym should mean you have coaches who care about your individual progress and goals. Community support in the gym is what will keep you consistent. Motivation alone is often not as strong of a facet in your workout journey. In a community, it is just as exciting to celebrate another members’ wins as it is your own. A good gym is not just about fitness, but is instead about finding a place where you feel at home.
