GITNUXREPORT 2025

Gym Anxiety Statistics

Half of gym-goers experience anxiety, affecting attendance and workout consistency.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

25% of individuals with gym anxiety are more likely to work out at home rather than in public gyms

Statistic 2

About 65% of gym-goers report that their anxiety diminishes after they establish a consistent workout routine over several weeks

Statistic 3

55% of women cited fear of male judgment as a primary concern underlying gym anxiety

Statistic 4

48% of gym members said that supportive staff could significantly reduce their anxiety levels

Statistic 5

52% of people with gym anxiety feel more comfortable working out with a friend or partner

Statistic 6

58% of gym users feel that music and entertainment can ease feelings of anxiety during workouts

Statistic 7

41% of gym participants feel that their anxiety worsens when they perceive a lack of space or equipment

Statistic 8

The use of personal trainers can decrease gym anxiety for approximately 62% of clients, according to fitness industry surveys

Statistic 9

44% of gym regulars say that positive reinforcement from staff and peers reduces feelings of anxiety

Statistic 10

Community-based fitness groups have been shown to reduce gym anxiety in 55% of participants

Statistic 11

Virtual reality workouts have been shown to help reduce gym-related anxiety by providing a private, immersive environment for 70% of users

Statistic 12

49% of gym-goers believe that a no-judgment policy in gyms would significantly decrease their anxiety levels

Statistic 13

58% of gym members report that anxiety decreases after attending a few classes or workouts, as they become more familiar with the environment

Statistic 14

46% of gym members say that participating in group fitness classes helps reduce personal anxiety and builds community

Statistic 15

Approximately 50% of gym-goers experience some level of anxiety or fear related to working out in a public setting

Statistic 16

Nearly 60% of new gym members report feeling intimidated or anxious during their initial visits

Statistic 17

70% of individuals with gym anxiety avoid exercising in public altogether

Statistic 18

Women report higher levels of gym anxiety than men, with 65% versus 45%

Statistic 19

45% of gym users feel self-conscious about their body image, contributing to anxiety

Statistic 20

40% of new gym members drop out within the first three months due to anxiety or intimidation

Statistic 21

55% of gym patrons report feeling anxious about their fitness abilities

Statistic 22

The fear of judgment is a primary reason for gym anxiety, affecting 65% of people anxious about working out publicly

Statistic 23

30% of gym users report that they have skipped workouts due to anxiety or fear of embarrassment

Statistic 24

Approximately 35% of first-time gym-goers experience severe anxiety during their initial visits

Statistic 25

In a survey, 70% of respondents indicated they would go to the gym more often if they felt less anxious

Statistic 26

About 38% of gym attendees reported feeling judged on their appearance or performance, which amplifies anxiety

Statistic 27

The presence of mirrors in gyms can increase self-consciousness for 54% of gym-goers experiencing anxiety

Statistic 28

Virtual or online workout options have seen a 25% increase among those with gym anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 29

43% of gym anxiety sufferers prefer to start with guided classes where they feel less exposed

Statistic 30

42% of gym-goers have avoided a workout because of anxiety about crowded spaces

Statistic 31

65% of people with gym anxiety report that they have less confidence in unfamiliar gym environments

Statistic 32

33% of gym members indicate that their anxiety decreases after consistent routines and familiarity

Statistic 33

50% of gym trainers observe that clients frequently express concerns about judgment and self-consciousness

Statistic 34

20% of gym users have experienced anxiety severe enough to prevent them from working out for more than a week

Statistic 35

Anxiety levels tend to spike during peak hours in gyms, which discourages 45% of potential users from attending during those times

Statistic 36

37% of first-time gym users said they would benefit from an orientation or beginner’s program, which could reduce anxiety

Statistic 37

70% of gym managers report that initial client anxiety is a significant barrier to membership retention

Statistic 38

60% of men with gym anxiety reported that they avoid certain equipment or workout areas due to fear of embarrassment

Statistic 39

23% of gym members avoid using locker rooms due to privacy concerns, increasing feelings of discomfort

Statistic 40

47% of individuals with gym anxiety prefer working out during off-peak hours

Statistic 41

29% of gym newbies express that their lack of experience and confidence contribute most to their anxiety

Statistic 42

Physical discomfort and fear of injury are reported by 37% of gym users as causes of anxiety during workouts

Statistic 43

22% of gym users have reported feeling embarrassed about their attire, contributing to anxiety

Statistic 44

60% of young adults aged 18-25 report experiencing moderate to high levels of gym anxiety

Statistic 45

36% of individuals who experience gym anxiety do not seek professional help, feeling ashamed or embarrassed

Statistic 46

32% of gym-goers report that their anxiety increases when they compare themselves to others, leading to reduced motivation

Statistic 47

Approximately 50% of gym users express that a lack of confidence in their physical fitness is a major barrier to regular attendance

Statistic 48

27% of gym participants avoid certain times of day, such as mornings or evenings, due to increased feelings of self-consciousness

Statistic 49

Simple interventions like targeted motivational messaging reduced gym anxiety in 40% of trial participants

Statistic 50

53% of gym trainers believe that addressing clients' psychological barriers can improve long-term adherence

Statistic 51

61% of gym trainers feel they need more training in psychological support techniques to better help clients with gym anxiety

Statistic 52

34% of gym users say that setting small, achievable goals helps to decrease their anxiety about working out

Slide 1 of 52

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 50% of gym-goers experience some level of anxiety or fear related to working out in a public setting
Nearly 60% of new gym members report feeling intimidated or anxious during their initial visits
70% of individuals with gym anxiety avoid exercising in public altogether
Women report higher levels of gym anxiety than men, with 65% versus 45%
45% of gym users feel self-conscious about their body image, contributing to anxiety
40% of new gym members drop out within the first three months due to anxiety or intimidation
55% of gym patrons report feeling anxious about their fitness abilities
The fear of judgment is a primary reason for gym anxiety, affecting 65% of people anxious about working out publicly
30% of gym users report that they have skipped workouts due to anxiety or fear of embarrassment
Approximately 35% of first-time gym-goers experience severe anxiety during their initial visits
25% of individuals with gym anxiety are more likely to work out at home rather than in public gyms
48% of gym members said that supportive staff could significantly reduce their anxiety levels
52% of people with gym anxiety feel more comfortable working out with a friend or partner

Did you know that nearly half of gym-goers experience some form of anxiety or fear when working out in public, making it one of the most common yet often overlooked barriers to fitness success?

Behavioral Patterns and Dropout Rates

25% of individuals with gym anxiety are more likely to work out at home rather than in public gyms
About 65% of gym-goers report that their anxiety diminishes after they establish a consistent workout routine over several weeks

Behavioral Patterns and Dropout Rates Interpretation

Gym anxiety may push a quarter of potential exercisers to the sanctuary of their homes, but for most, steadfast routines serve as the cure, turning tepid trepidation into confident commitment.

Causes of Gym Anxiety

55% of women cited fear of male judgment as a primary concern underlying gym anxiety

Causes of Gym Anxiety Interpretation

Over half of women cite fear of male judgment as the main driver of gym anxiety, highlighting the persistent societal pressure to navigate fitness spaces with both strength and self-consciousness.

Impact of Environment and Support Systems

48% of gym members said that supportive staff could significantly reduce their anxiety levels
52% of people with gym anxiety feel more comfortable working out with a friend or partner
58% of gym users feel that music and entertainment can ease feelings of anxiety during workouts
41% of gym participants feel that their anxiety worsens when they perceive a lack of space or equipment
The use of personal trainers can decrease gym anxiety for approximately 62% of clients, according to fitness industry surveys
44% of gym regulars say that positive reinforcement from staff and peers reduces feelings of anxiety
Community-based fitness groups have been shown to reduce gym anxiety in 55% of participants
Virtual reality workouts have been shown to help reduce gym-related anxiety by providing a private, immersive environment for 70% of users
49% of gym-goers believe that a no-judgment policy in gyms would significantly decrease their anxiety levels
58% of gym members report that anxiety decreases after attending a few classes or workouts, as they become more familiar with the environment
46% of gym members say that participating in group fitness classes helps reduce personal anxiety and builds community

Impact of Environment and Support Systems Interpretation

While over half of gym-goers find camaraderie, supportive staff, and immersive virtual reality workouts help alleviate their anxiety, nearly half still feel the gym's chaos and judgment threaten to turn their fitness journey into a nerve-wracking ordeal—highlighting that making gyms more welcoming might just be the best workout of all.

Prevalence and Causes of Gym Anxiety

Approximately 50% of gym-goers experience some level of anxiety or fear related to working out in a public setting
Nearly 60% of new gym members report feeling intimidated or anxious during their initial visits
70% of individuals with gym anxiety avoid exercising in public altogether
Women report higher levels of gym anxiety than men, with 65% versus 45%
45% of gym users feel self-conscious about their body image, contributing to anxiety
40% of new gym members drop out within the first three months due to anxiety or intimidation
55% of gym patrons report feeling anxious about their fitness abilities
The fear of judgment is a primary reason for gym anxiety, affecting 65% of people anxious about working out publicly
30% of gym users report that they have skipped workouts due to anxiety or fear of embarrassment
Approximately 35% of first-time gym-goers experience severe anxiety during their initial visits
In a survey, 70% of respondents indicated they would go to the gym more often if they felt less anxious
About 38% of gym attendees reported feeling judged on their appearance or performance, which amplifies anxiety
The presence of mirrors in gyms can increase self-consciousness for 54% of gym-goers experiencing anxiety
Virtual or online workout options have seen a 25% increase among those with gym anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic
43% of gym anxiety sufferers prefer to start with guided classes where they feel less exposed
42% of gym-goers have avoided a workout because of anxiety about crowded spaces
65% of people with gym anxiety report that they have less confidence in unfamiliar gym environments
33% of gym members indicate that their anxiety decreases after consistent routines and familiarity
50% of gym trainers observe that clients frequently express concerns about judgment and self-consciousness
20% of gym users have experienced anxiety severe enough to prevent them from working out for more than a week
Anxiety levels tend to spike during peak hours in gyms, which discourages 45% of potential users from attending during those times
37% of first-time gym users said they would benefit from an orientation or beginner’s program, which could reduce anxiety
70% of gym managers report that initial client anxiety is a significant barrier to membership retention
60% of men with gym anxiety reported that they avoid certain equipment or workout areas due to fear of embarrassment
23% of gym members avoid using locker rooms due to privacy concerns, increasing feelings of discomfort
47% of individuals with gym anxiety prefer working out during off-peak hours
29% of gym newbies express that their lack of experience and confidence contribute most to their anxiety
Physical discomfort and fear of injury are reported by 37% of gym users as causes of anxiety during workouts
22% of gym users have reported feeling embarrassed about their attire, contributing to anxiety
60% of young adults aged 18-25 report experiencing moderate to high levels of gym anxiety
36% of individuals who experience gym anxiety do not seek professional help, feeling ashamed or embarrassed
32% of gym-goers report that their anxiety increases when they compare themselves to others, leading to reduced motivation
Approximately 50% of gym users express that a lack of confidence in their physical fitness is a major barrier to regular attendance
27% of gym participants avoid certain times of day, such as mornings or evenings, due to increased feelings of self-consciousness

Prevalence and Causes of Gym Anxiety Interpretation

With nearly half of gym-goers battling anxiety—especially during peek hours and initial visits—the path to fitness often feels less like a workout and more like overcoming a stage fright, highlighting the urgent need for gyms to foster more welcoming, less judgmental environments.

Strategies and Interventions for Managing Anxiety

Simple interventions like targeted motivational messaging reduced gym anxiety in 40% of trial participants
53% of gym trainers believe that addressing clients' psychological barriers can improve long-term adherence
61% of gym trainers feel they need more training in psychological support techniques to better help clients with gym anxiety
34% of gym users say that setting small, achievable goals helps to decrease their anxiety about working out

Strategies and Interventions for Managing Anxiety Interpretation

Given that over half of gym trainers recognize the importance of psychological support and a significant portion of gym users find small goals helpful, simple, targeted interventions could be the key to transforming gym anxiety from a barrier to an entryway for lasting fitness habits.