Anxiety in the gym

**CFH** · 02-09-2011 06:10 AM

As someone who's had anxiety issues in the past, I can tell you that, for me, the only way to overcome it was to force myself to do the things that were making me anxious. In your case, provided the anxiety isn't completely debilitating, I would suggest you just get in the gym and give yourself a couple of months to get used to it. If you're anything like me, you'll find that the anxiety gradually abates.

**the killer** · 02-09-2011 07:05 AM

Man o Man... i feel like i am looking at my own feelings on paper when i read your post. i am a big guy too and i used to feel like that.

what i do now is deep breaths before i go in the ring and picture myself having fun and being relaxed. the first time i did this was the best time ive ever had in the ring also that is when i started to put to practice what i had been learning in the gym. this is also the first time my coach said that he saw a BIG imporvement in my skill and fluid movement.

as for shadow boxing... i too go to a small gym and just knowing that everyone else feels like a dick at first helped me to get a lot less stressed. start off by going through the motions slowly and speed up as you feel better about what you are doing.

all in all you will feel better with time, and know that all the guys in the gym that you train with want to get better and want you to get better too. hang in there, you can do it!!

**gramm** · 02-09-2011 10:18 AM

I have the same problem but its not in the gym its when i fight. I do great in the gym sparring hard and everything else but during my first two fights i froze bad, I basically forgot everything I know. but like the other guys said the more fights I had the better my nerves and feelings became and now ive won my past last 3 fights in a row. amateur of course.

**donnydarkoIRL** · 02-09-2011 11:34 AM

Everyone who trains in boxing feels a little nervous when exposing their skills at the gym.
You feel vulnerable as you expose your best abilities in front of the "strangers" who judge you.

To be honest what I found was once I immersed myself in the gym "community" I felt a lot more at ease. This meant I just made friends of the fighters and mentors of the trainers. Being comfortable in my gym I feel more at ease and have no reservations in exerting myself more.

Best of luck buddy