40 per cent of Canadians intimidated by the gym: poll

According to a new online poll by market research firm, Ipsos, four in ten Canadians find going to the gym intimidating.

The poll found British Columbians are most likely to be intimidated by going to the gym for a workout than any other province.

The poll interviewed 1,504 Canadians between March 25 and 29.

Most Canadians cited “other people watching” as one of the main reasons for not feeling confident at the gym.

“The first gym I joined was co-ed, and I was trying to lose weight so it was weird, like doing it in front of guys,” says another Vancouverite who now goes to an all-women’s gym.

Canadians aged 18 to 34, and 35 to 54, are more concerned that other people will watch them than those aged 55+.

The second most common reason given by people was not knowing what to do once they get to the gym.

“I think it’s mostly the attitude of some of the people going there, a lot of the people are really good but there’s always one or two people that make people feel like they’re judged,” says a Vancouverite who doesn’t go to the gym.

Other reasons involve not knowing anyone, or saying they are too overweight to workout.

While 50 per cent of women said they were intimidated by the gym, only 28 per cent of men said the same thing.

Half of those who are intimidated about going to the gym say going with a friend would help.