Jack Averty: Take the plunge – go to the gym there’s nothing to fear!

For once I’m not panicking about Brexit (we already know that’s a confirmed disaster), nor am I fretting over Arsenal (we’re still rubbish) – this week my concerns are centred solely on the impact this column may have had last week.

I’m not one to be big headed but we all know how far reaching and impactful my weekly ramblings can be. I know for a fact that at least one person reads it every week, although with my mum currently soaking up the sun abroad this number may dip.

Last week I wrote about the whole New Year charade, and how people should start keeping New Year’s resolutions to themselves rather than posting them all over social media.

But I’m concerned that the column has had the wrong effect, with people being put off making resolutions altogether.

I’ve come to this conclusion because, as we can all agree, by far the most common resolution of them all is for people to lose weight and get into shape.

People are supposed to cram into gyms in January like the animals did on Noah’s ark.

So imagine my surprise this week when every time I headed to the gym it was practically deserted, bar the regular faces who I’m sure would have worked out on Christmas day given the choice.

Now either my fears are justified and my agenda-setting weekly column has had an adverse affect on the whole population of the UK, or, as is perhaps a tad more likely, people have become put off going to the gym – not because they don’t want to get fit and healthy, but because of the nerves of heading there for the first time.

Last year I finally began to get myself into some sort of resemblance of shape (don’t be fooled by the three year old picture of me accompanying this piece) and I can confirm that gym fear is very much a real thing.

You’re scared of the vast amount of equipment and not knowing how to use it, you’re scared of embarrassing yourself by being able to run for less than two minutes on the treadmill before collapsing, women are scared of being gawped at by all the sweaty men and us men are all massively intimidated by all the burly chaps happily lifting twice our body weight in the corner without even flinching.

But as someone whose number one achievement in life is conquering gym fear, I can say with the utmost certainty that there is nothing to be scared of.

Yes there is loads of equipment in there and it can be quite daunting at first, but if you break it down into sections it really isn’t that bad.

Everyone knows how to walk, run, cycle and row, so that’s cardio taken care of. And all the weight machines are beyond simple, just use your arms or legs, and lift. If you’re worried about injuring yourself every machine has instructions on it about how to use it most effectively.

The big boy section with the deadlift bars and benches for bench pressing can easily be ignored and left alone as a beginner, and you can start venturing over there once you’ve built up some confidence.

Personal Trainer’s get a hard time because it seems to be easier to qualify as one than get a taxi licence from Wolverhampton Council, but they can be really helpful.

They’ll introduce you to all the machines and set you plans to help get the most out of your work-out.

They’re not essential, but it’s not a bad idea getting one as a beginner. I know people balk at the idea of forking out for one, but isn’t your money better spent on your health than a greasy takeaway?

As for the fear of being incredibly unfit and embarrassing yourself, isn’t the whole point of the gym to get you into shape?

No one is going to laugh at you or judge you, if anything they’re going to support you on making a positive life decision.

Being a large lad this was my biggest fear heading to the gym the first time, that everyone would stare at me for being so fat and unfit.

But when this situation was flipped on its head about six months ago when I was relatively in shape and another overweight man strolled in, I found myself congratulating him under my breath.

It was then that I kind of realised that your gym is like a big family that welcomes new members with open arms. Every family has its idiot, in real life it’s the uncle who makes sexist remarks and in the gym it’s the ripped bloke who works out topless, but they’re the exception not the rule.

You will actually find nearly every gym goer to be incredibly kind and happy to help.

Girls, the idea that every guy in the gym will stare at you and hit on you is nonsense.

As much as I’m sure you’re all very attractive, we’re there to work out and make ourselves look good for nobody but ourselves.

And guys, those big burly blokes in the corner grunting as they lift eye-wateringly heavy weights are actually the nicest people in the gym.

Rest assured they’re not lifting those absurd weights to show off or make you feel crap, they’re doing it for themselves.

As someone who lost more than three stone last year I can tell you this with absolutely certainty: There is nothing to fear, going to the gym will change your life.