In the 2022/23 UK Fitness Report, commissioned by Puregym, 56% of gym-goers revealed they suffered some form of gym-related anxiety. Human nature is a broad science, and there is no hard and fast rule as to how anxiety affects each individual. But for men in particular, the gym can be an intimidating place. A 2021 study, published in the journal Wellbeing, Space and Society, for example, found that men often try to out-compete each other in the gym to adhere to stereotypical masculine images, which can lead to increasingly toxic atmospheres.
While most of the men I spoke to identified with this narrative and worried about not being strong enough, I heard other, more nuanced stories. One man told me that he felt intimidated setting foot in a gym unless he was wearing the latest, branded gym clothing. Another told me that he knew he was unfit, knew that going to a gym would lead to a healthier lifestyle, but wouldn’t go because he was worried about being judged by others. A further theme that came through was not knowing how to use certain bits of equipment, or feeling stupid when having to ask how to set up a machine.
LIFT OFF
New to weight lifting? Here’s how to work out smarter and harder
1. Pick the right weights
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Men's Fitness UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 2023 edition of Men's Fitness UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FULL STRETCH
Limber up for improved lifting performance with these targeted stretches
FIGHT FAT WITH CLEVER CARDIO
Cardiovascular exercise is in some ways the simplest form of fitness there is just jump ona bike, lace up your shoes or dive in and away you go. But if you want to use cardio as an effective fat loss tool, there’s a little more you need to know. Let us show you how to make the most of your sessions to maximise the burn
COOK UP A STORM
Unlock your inner chef with advice from some of the world's foremost food experts
Under the INFLUENCE
New research suggests social media has a negative impact on body image. So how can you navigate your feeds without comparing yourself to an unrealistic ideal?
SEE THE LIGHT
Red light therapy promises accelerated recovery and has become a key tool for | professional athletes looking to get back into action as soon as possible. But is it too good to be true?
TOP DRAWER
Whether you’re looking for long-sleeve warmth for colder winter runs or a lightweight tee that keeps you cool and dry during hot summer sessions, a few high-quality running tops are essential items in your kit bag
OFF-ROAD Runners
If you’re tackling a lot of off-road running, your regular roadies aren’t going to cut it. We recruited pro run-tester Kieran Alger to put the latest selection of trail shoes through their paces here are his favourites
ON CHARGE
The Fitbit Charge 6 steps into the fitness arena with new features and a sleek design, but does it meet the high expectations set by its predecessors?
FEET FIRST
Build an injury-proof body with advice from biomechanics consultant Travis Allan, who’s yorked with Olympians and elite sportsmen
"Don't be ashamed of your emotions.They are all part of being human"
Special Forces operative turned SAS: Who Dares Wins mainstay Jason Fox's guide to building mental and physical resilience