I wish more influencers and regular gym-goers said it’s 90% a mental game. Because it really is.

I'm Sara, and I cover the fitness and health sphere on BuzzFeed — from finding the best snacks to sharing the easiest hacks on staying fit.

Before you even step foot in a public gym, you want to feel confident in the workout, obviously, but more so, you don't want to waste your time. I started out doing light exercises at home by watching old workout videos — think crunches, planks, sit-ups, and general ab work. These were later adapted to nearly the same movement, just adding in dumbbells at the gym. It's a small start, but it made me more confident, and at least I felt like I was fitting in with the regulars in the early days.

Even years later, before I leave for the gym, I write up a list of workouts I want to complete. It's not a strict plan, because sometimes I do stray from the list (whether for tiredness or general gym busyness), but I feel more in control with it handy.

And by this, I mean exactly what I say. This could mean that you feel more confident in more modern workout gear, like a tight tank top and Spandex shorts. Or maybe you wear a more traditional outfit of sweats and a tee.

What I wear typically depends on my workout plan for the day. If I'm hitting cardio and core, I wear shorter shorts and a tank top because I know I'll sweat a lot more. Most days, I hit solely upper body, so I wear a loose-fitting sweatshirt and shorts. 

And PLEASE, comfy shoes make the difference between a good and bad gym session. If I'm doing cardio, I always bring a more traditional tennis shoe (my current favorite is these New Balances with Fresh Foam). But if I'm just lifting, flat shoes help (think Converse, Vans, etc.).

It's something that comes with a learning curve, but when I first started my gym journey, buying new workout sets made me excited and motivated to go. But of course, it DOES NOT need to be expensive — these shorts and shoes (as you can visibly tell) have survived months of daily workouts.

This one seems obvious, but I can't tell you how much time I first spent looking down at my phone at the gym. I would skip to certain songs and pick through what I wanted to listen to, all while standing completely still, and honestly just wasting time.

I have a couple of playlists set for certain moods, so I treat the gym the same! There are playlists for my high-intensity days and ones for more slow-moving, strength-building days. 

It's easy to ignore the rest of the gym when I'm really into an audiobook or podcast, especially when I'm listening to it while doing an exercise I'm confident in and used to.

Bringing water is not a unique or unheard of tip, yes. The hydration alone will be useful. But I always recommend bringing a drink of some kind — I often see water, electrolyte drinks, energy drinks, or protein shakes around my gym — because it gives your hands something to do, too. I like to bring my giant water bottle when I need to hit my water goals, but something with a straw is helpful for other drinks.

Between my workout sets, I try to rest for about two minutes. It's not a long time, but it sure feels like it when you're standing there. So, before I move on to the next set or exercise, I'll just sip my drink and maybe scan the gym for empty spaces to go next.

For starters, this is a rough machine. If you're looking to start hard and heavy, this is perfect. But also, it gives you a high view of the entire gym. I first used it on the lowest setting and started scanning the gym. You can find the machines you plan to use, watch others work out and gain some ideas, and generally get to know your way around without walking around clueless.

I've been working out regularly for three years, and I still make a complete fool out of myself on new machines. While yes, it's true what most say that others don't care and aren't watching you at all, it's still intimidating trying out a new and complex machine. The only way I've found over this hurdle is to try it out when it's empty. 

You'll know a machine is less popular at your gym when no one is on it, and it hasn't been used during your visit. That's the perfect one to start on. Most machines will have a general form guide on the side near the weight load, but it also helps to find the name on it and quickly look up a tutorial on TikTok. Or if you want to dive in completely, set the weight low and try it out yourself.

I know time is valuable for most, and even going to the gym cuts into that. But there is NO SHAME in breaks. Especially if I'm having a gym day where I do a lot of cardio or heavy lifting, I'll sit down and take a couple of minutes. I keep electrolyte drink mix, fruit snacks, and high-protein snack foods handy for these times, too.

If you don't feel comfortable taking a breather out in the open gym, most gyms have a bench or two in their locker room area/bathrooms that are completely out of the way. 

While my gym anxiety has lowered, I still like my space. If I walk into the gym and find an empty spot (usually in the back corner), I go straight there and roll out a mat. For the next 30 minutes, that space is mine and alllllll mine.

Sometimes gyms will have empty rooms for classes, which are great for some solo workout space, too. But it’s also completely normal to grab a weight and walk over to a spot you can have all to yourself.

This comes from someone who doesn't generally like looking at myself, whether in the mirror or photos. But this is a dual-intention tip — it keeps you focused on yourself (not on what others are thinking) and lets you focus on your form.

If your eyes are on you, you're less likely to be constantly scanning around and thinking about others. The bigger thing is that you're laser-focusing on your form, which is something that's especially good to do at the beginning of your fitness journey.

My strongest muscles are in my legs, so I always save those for the end of my workout. It gives me something to look forward to and actually motivates me to finish my workout. Whether your favorite is something that involves your lower body, upper body, or general cardio, it's always best (at least at first) to keep these toward the end.

This also keeps me stronger and less tired when starting with tough workouts. Your muscles and mindset will thank you.

This is a big perk of 24-hour gyms, which are the only ones I really have enjoyed. But even if your gym has limited hours, it's best to go either close to opening/early or close to closing/late. You'll see fewer people during these times, so you'll feel less pressure while having more range in the machines and weights you want to try.

While it's not super common, I know some of my gym friends prefer going at peak times, when they feel less alone and more accountable to finish their workouts; this kind of environment is common on Mondays-Thursdays at about 5:00 p.m.

Let me say, I'm not a photo person. I will jump out of any group photo about to be taken. But I really wish I had taken more photos at the beginning of my gym journey.

You'll, at some point, maybe even early on, hit a plateau where you don't see results or even feel them. This is where the photos come in handy. They will also generally motivate you and show even more physical proof (that isn't solely weight loss or muscle gain) that you've been showing up and keeping a habit.