The Unf*ck Your Fitness Podcast

243. What to Use at the Gym (Without Feeling Overwhelmed) | The Gym Confidence Series

Kristy Castillo

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0:00 | 34:00

Walking into the gym can feel intimidating when you don’t know what anything does. Between the machines, dumbbells, barbells, cable stations and cardio equipment… it’s easy to feel overwhelmed before you even start. A lot of women avoid the gym completely - not because they aren’t capable - but because they feel like everyone else knows something they don’t.


In this episode of the Gym Confidence Series, we’re breaking down the basics of gym equipment in a way that actually makes sense. I’m walking you through the most common equipment you’ll see in the gym, what it’s used for, and why you absolutely do NOT need to know how to use every single machine to get results.


We talk about the difference between machines, dumbbells, barbells, cables and how to choose them for your workouts. I also explain why most people are massively overcomplicating fitness, how confidence in the gym actually comes from repetition, and why nobody is paying nearly as much attention to you as you think they are!


If you’ve ever walked into the gym and immediately wanted to turn around and leave… this episode is for you. The goal of this series is simple: unf*ck the confusion and help you feel more confident every time you walk into the gym.



In this episode, we cover:

  • the difference between machines, dumbbells, barbells, and cables
  • why machines are NOT “less effective”
  • what compound movements actually are
  • how to stop overcomplicating your workouts
  • why confidence in the gym comes from repetition, not perfection
  • how to stop feeling like everyone is watching you at the gym



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