Some Canadians would rather meet their in-laws than go to the gym: poll

Meeting your in-laws can be an exercise in frustration, but according to a new Ipsos Reid poll, it’s not as bad as exercising in front of others.

Much like public speaking, many Canadians seem to be filled with anxiety at the thought of working out at a gym.

The poll, conducted for GoodLife Fitness and ParticipACTION, found that forty per cent of Canadians are intimidated by the prospect of pumping iron and doing cardio before an audience. Nineteen per cent called the experience “very intimidating.”

Seventeen per cent said it inspired more anxiety than the first day of school, with 12 per cent saying it edged out meeting their in-laws when it came to unpleasant experiences.

The main reasons why people dread the gym? Most (38 per cent) admitted they were afraid of being watched, and 33 per cent said they felt like they didn’t know what they were doing.

Thirty per cent said there were intimidated because they don’t know anyone.

“We’ve long known that someone who has never worked out in a gym may have some uneasiness about coming to the club for the first time,” says David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans, Founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness.

But Patch says most of their apprehensions are unfounded.

“The short truth of it is, no one is looking at you in a negative way or critiquing you,” he added.

Another interesting finding: Men are more confident at the gym than women. Fifty per cent of woman admitted to feeling intimidated, compared to just 28 per cent of men.