5 Tips for Fighting Imposter Syndrome in Fitness

Imposter syndrome affects more people than you might think— especially in the gym. In many cases, the people you think have it together most are the ones that struggle. 

When you experience imposter syndrome in a fitness setting, you might have feelings of inadequacy or lack confidence. It’s the feeling of not being enough or telling yourself you’re not a “real” powerlifter, bodybuilder, etc. 

That stops now.

Here are five tips for fighting imposter syndrome so you can train with confidence.

Train Your Brain

The first step in overcoming imposter syndrome in fitness is to accept that you don’t know everything. There’s always room for improvement, even if you’re a gold medal Olympic weightlifter. Once you acknowledge that you don’t know everything, you can dedicate time to building knowledge that supports your growth.

Take some time to read about the workouts you’re interested in and what they do to your body. Use resources like Strength to Go and the Hoyles Fitness blog to read about how to perform movements, different exercise techniques, and everything you need to know before walking into the gym.

Track Your Progress

Sometimes you need to pause and look back to understand how far you’ve come. Everyone has to start somewhere, and even the act of starting sets you ahead of where you were.

You might get an epiphany throughout the course of your training— for example, when you realize that you’re warming up with your old one-rep max. Keep records of your training and photo reminders of how your body changes over time. Remember to note more than the numbers; consider how you feel, your overall endurance, and other factors that show progress.

Limit Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk is that voice of doubt in your head that tells you everything that’s wrong with you. It might occur after a workout hits you extra hard or after you fail a lift. It’s this voice of doubt that leads to imposter syndrome in training.

Limit negative self-talk by recognizing it, acknowledging it, then nipping it in the bud. Replace it with positive reinforcement and build your self-confidence from the outside in. Remember to use this positive inner dialogue throughout your workout to visualize your success.

Learn from Your Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes in the gym, even professionals. It’s what you do after making a mistake that matters. 

When you fail to complete your reps or lift the weight you had hoped to, dive into the issue and determine what caused the failure. It might be a small issue with your form or improper rest, hydration, and nutrition before a workout. It could also be that you aren’t strong enough to get that weight yet— “yet” being the keyword.

Once you know what went wrong, you can take steps toward correcting the issue. By taking an analytical approach that focuses on problem-solving rather than self-blame, you’ll start to see a shift in how you view yourself in the gym.

Work with a Coach

It can be challenging to learn proper form and technique on your own. Many of the challenges that lead to your imposter syndrome could stem from needing an extra set of eyes on your training. 

Working with a coach can help you learn how to perform a movement while staying strong throughout the entire exercise. A skilled coach can help you troubleshoot problems and make recommendations regarding your nutrition, recovery, cross-training, and goal timelines. Working with a coach is another way to acknowledge that you don’t know what you don’t know, but you’re ready to improve.

Eliminating Imposter Syndrome

It can take a long time and a lot of work to overcome your imposter syndrome in fitness. However, it’s well worth the reward of knowing that you’re worthy of your place and feeling like you belong. Then, nothing can stop you from reaching your goals.