I recently joined a gym.
That might not sound like a big deal — but here’s the thing: it’s the first time I’ve ever joined a gym.
I’ve spent the past two years training at Better With Sarah, which became my movement home long before I ever started training clients myself. That space was (IS) magic — welcoming, calm, and human. I could walk in as myself, no pretending. Some days that meant energised and ready to move, other days it meant quiet, overwhelmed, or just needing to lie on the mat for a minute before I began. It was all accepted. I was accepted.
So, joining a gym — a big, commercial, tap-your-keypass-and-go gym — felt like a whole new world.
I was nervous.
Not the cute butterflies kind. The full-body, “what if I don’t know where anything is” kind.
What if someone talks to me? What if no one talks to me?
What if I can’t find the toilet?
Will there be cats? (Unlikely, but I still asked myself.)
I tapped in on a Sunday, so there were no staff around — no one to greet me, show me around, or point me in the direction of the bathroom.
I wandered awkwardly until I found the gym floor and began the slow process of figuring out what the hell I was doing. Most of the equipment was unfamiliar — I’ve only ever used free weights and coached in small, supportive spaces.
So I did what felt safe: I got on the treadmill…
From there, I tried a few weighted exercises, catching glimpses of myself in the wall-to-wall mirrors (which felt okay that day, but let’s be honest — probably won’t always feel okay). The space was quiet — it was a Sunday — and that was a blessing in disguise. I got a small smile from another woman smashing out her upper body session. I didn’t notice it right away so probably had resting bitch face, by the time I realised it was too late to smile back, the moment had passed. Maybe I’d see her again another time and this time smile back… I’m not here to make friends, or am I…
Reflection… I started with what I knew. I did judge myself. I did catch myself in the mirror. And I did feel out of place. Then I reminded myself: I don’t have to know everything, it doesn’t need to look a certain way, I just have to show up…
Even as a movement coach and myotherapist — I’m still learning, still growing, still getting uncomfortable too.
So, if you’re starting something new and it feels intimidating — whether that’s stepping into a gym, attending an event, joining a class, or doing anything outside your comfort zone — I see you. I’m right there with you.
Watch this space. Maybe I’ll keep sharing the journey — awkward gym mirrors, machine confusion and all.
— Lauren
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