Are You A Gym Airhead or Gym Mouse?

Ashley Paradise
Jul 20, 2017
3 min read

If you don't know what I mean by gym airhead or gym mouse, that's okay. Why? Because I made those terms up. I'll tell you what I mean.

You know exactly who I'm talking about when I refer to the person at your gym who walks around like they just built the place with their own bare hands. Their chest sticks out a little higher than everybody else. They're staking weights on weights on top of weights and huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf. And don't you doubt that they make sure to look at everyone after that heavy set they just pumped. Maybe this person is you. I can't lie to you... It's sometimes me!

To have that confidence in yourself is absolutely amazing but here's what you don't want to do. Don't lift heavier than your body can actually handle. There is a fine line because you want to push yourself and challenge your muscles. If you don't challenge your body it won't change the way you want it to. That being said you can potentially injure yourself by going heavier than you can handle at that time. One day you will get to that weight and that is the whole goal! Constant improvement!

Avoid going heavier than you would normally go out of pressure to "show off." Everyone at the gym is there to improve and I believe it should be an environment where we all try to improve ourselves and encourage each other for making that effort and showing up in the first place, when we could have been watching America's Got Talent instead! Or maybe you were smart and worked out beforehand so you could still make it in time for your show...

Whatever the case may be, show up for you and focus on improving yourself. Don't compare. Everybody is at a different point in their journey, working on their own goals, and fighting their own battles. Plus everyone at the gym is so concerned with themselves that they are thinking the same exact thing you are. Worrying about who might be watching them, not you!

Now on the other extreme. Try not to be a gym mouse. This is either someone who never even makes it to the gym out of irrational fears they tell themselves about going or doesn't challenge themselves because they are afraid of making a mistake. We all start somewhere! I'm not going to lie to you and tell you that once you start working out you will do everything perfectly and never make a "mistake." But who cares! You're making progress, you're improving and by grabbing a heavier weight than you can handle, it makes you more in-tune with where your body is currently at!

My advice? Go to the gym for you. Focus on improving yourself and don't compare your body or your progress with anybody else. Keep your goals in mind and work towards them. The main goal is to be making progress towards your goals no matter how small. Your goals are possible and achievable, so don't give up because you're not where you'd like to be! You'll get there one day. If you quit however, you'll never make it there.

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