Is it important to look good at the gym?

Do you worry if you look good at the gym? One thing that holds many people back from joining the gym is worrying about what they will look like in fitness gear. I have been there too, when we walk into a gym our views are blinkered, we see everyone as slim and fit and think that we stand out.

The reality is that most people at the gym are so bothered about how they look they don’t consider anyone else’s appearance!

After reviewing a recent study, I was fascinated by some of its results and thought I would share them with you. Maybe you will find it more reassuring? Alternatively, you might chuckle and realise it is as you had imagined. Do you worry that you don’t look good at the gym? Or do you not care?

Is it important to look good at the gym?

Does body confidence stop you from going to the gym? If it does don’t worry you are in good company 44% of the people asked agreed.

If you do go to the gym do you take a selfie? Share it on social media that you are there. I know that when I have been to the gym, I have done this, partly because I’m proud of myself for doing it, and partly to ensure I stick to my fitness plan not because I want to look good at the gym. Eighty-four per cent of those surveyed admitted to taking selfies at the gym. What do the other people do? Maybe they don’t have phones? I thought everyone took a selfie at the gym!

What do you wear to the gym? It seems 34% of gym-goers admit to always buying new gear. I wonder, though, if this is vanity and a desire to look cool, or if their body shape has changed through exercise, and that has meant they need new clothes? How much do they want to look good at the gym?

Why are there all the mirrors in gyms?

Personally, I am not a fan of all the mirrors. Are you? According to the same research, 54% of respondents work out in front of a mirror. I wonder if this is through choice or because there are so many mirrors everywhere! I never look good at the gym when I am working out!

When I am working out very rarely, I am not too interested in how I look and merely worry about how many calories I am burning. I also look at the time a lot to see how much longer I have to go, now clocks everywhere would be an idea!

Apparently, 60% of over-35s want to look their best while working out. I guess this makes sense as I don’t want to look terrible but looking your best? Definitely not on my list of high priorities at the gym!

In Northern Ireland, 85% of people said it is important to look good while working out! Now the psychology in me (I did it at university) says maybe they didn’t survey many people there so it is skewed a little.

Alternatively, maybe the people over there are very vain. 71% in the Midlands said the same – I certainly wasn’t asked!

Gym Style and Instagram

I had genuinely not thought of this before reading these survey results but it turns out gym-style influencers on Instagram are really popular.

One of the most popular GraceFitUK has 1 million followers. I had a look at her feed to see what I am missing, and it turns out it is lots of posing photos and lots of cleavage.

Maybe I am not missing anything after all? DavidLaid a 21-year-old male athlete is also popular on Instagram. If you like an extremely worked-out body, then check his feed out. I’m not sure many people follow it for the gym gear, but hey, maybe I am wrong.

Sharing Your Workouts

As I said before I believe that sharing your workouts can help with motivation and the survey found 34% of people also share workouts. Is this something you do? Or does it drive you mad when you see people checking in at the gym on Facebook? I guess it isn’t that different to sharing pictures on Instagram of a day out, is it? I really don’t think I ever look good at the gym!

Do you worry if you look good at the gym? Let me know in the comments below.

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