The gym can be an intimidating place. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a cardio queen, there always seems to be someone fitter than you, which can be a deterrent from lacing up and hitting the gym. According to Ellen Roggemann, VP of marketing at Blink Fitness, “The fitness industry highlights perfect bodies and lofty weight loss goals, but that actually turns a lot of people off.”
The truth in that statement is apparent both on social media and IRL — when your Insta feed is filled with fitspo and your gym is filling with weightlifting bros, it’s hard to feel like your own goals will ever measure up.
Photo courtesy of nowtoronto.com
Social media inherently encourages us to compare ourselves to others, and after seeing dozens of photos of washboard abs and toned legs, suddenly your new weightlifting PR or fastest mile time doesn’t seem like such an accomplishment.
Guess what — the majority of women don’t look like fitness models in their gym clothes. In fact, due to genetics alone, only 5 percent of women can have the lean, muscular body type of someone like Kayla Itsines.
Want to see people that actually look like you (and most women worldwide)? You don’t need a six pack to be healthy or fit — check out these gym pics to see what strong looks like, unfiltered.
1. Balancing on a bumpy tree stump
Photo courtesy of Amanda Christovich
That takes core power.
2. Strong arms, strong abs
Photo courtesy of Michelle Krameisen
And definitely strong heads.
3. Swimming
Photo courtesy of Rachel Staats
Just keep swimming, ya know?
4. Nike ad?
Photo courtesy of Emily Oatley
Could be.
5. Spinning
Photo courtesy of Hannah Giordano
Tap. It. Back.
6. Want to kick ass before the sun rises?
Photo courtesy of Maggie Chaquette
Check out The November Project in the city near you to get more cardio before 8 am than most people get in a day.
7. More spinning
Photo courtesy of Amanda Corcione
Killin’ it.
8. Ahoy, mateys
Photo courtesy of Coleen Ross
We think putting on sailing clothes might be a workout in itself. #respect
9. DC chillin’
Photo by Hailey Maher
With the National Mall as your gym, who wouldn’t want to hit the pavement?
10. I’m on a boat
Photo courtesy of Sophia Noisten
Boats ‘n badass women.
11. #Gains
Photo courtesy of Emily Oatley
Those triceps, tho.
12. On top of the world
Photo by Hailey Maher
An endorphin high, that is.
13. Upside down
Photo courtesy of Mollie White
That’s some monumental balance.
14. Serious pong
Photo courtesy of Leslie Liu
Not the kind of pong we’re used to, so we’re extra-impressed.
15. Bump, set, spike
Photo by Hailey Maher
Volleyball team “Who Spiked the Punch” is ready to lose, but look fierce while doing it.
16. Tri-hard
Photo courtesy of Sara Carioscia
Swimming leg of the triathlon is going just fine.
17. Road racin’
Photo courtesy of Anne Gilliland
Sisters who sweat together…
18. Buti (no, not booty) yoga
Photo courtesy of Sabrina Park
Check out this super-intense variation on yoga to get strong and a stretch.
19. Reflecting Pool vibez
Photo courtesy of Kayla Mardin
#Views
20. Heads in the clouds
Photo by Hailey Maher
Fam hike goals.
21. Feel the burn
Photo courtesy of Emily Oatley
Pro tip: smiling makes the burn hurt less.
22. Reeeee-lax
Photo courtesy of Angie Molina
When you lax too hard…
23. And I see you, you’re runnin’ cross the campus…
Photo courtesy of Alexis Bolandhemat
Dragging your roomie is great motivation to finish a 5K.
24. Happy trails
Photo courtesy of Kristen Guyler
Take your girl squad to the trails for a more fun way to get your sweat on.
23. Row, row, row your boat
Photo courtesy of @bcrowing on Instagram
2K Tuesday, here they come.
We scrutinize the way we look enough on a regular basis — the gym should be a no-judgement zone, self-directed or otherwise. You’re at the gym to work out and push yourself — you don’t have to look like a fitness model while getting your squat on.