Before this past summer, I had never once stepped foot inside the weight room at Palladium. Frankly, there was no need. I was a simple gal who was perfectly content running on the treadmill. I'd walk to the gym, pass the weight section with my head held down, and descend to the comfort of the cardio room. Little did I know how much I was missing out on.

I think the main factor holding me back before was fear. To those who are regular gym goers, this may sound ridiculous. But for those of you who have yet to take the leap, I'm sure you can relate. Maybe for you, it's the fear of being stared at, of being judged, or simply of looking like you have no clue what you're doing. These fears are completely understandable, but I'm going to give you some insight on why they aren't necessary.

Most weight rooms like Palladium are encircled by mirrors, meaning technically everyone can see what you are doing. This can be really nerve-wracking if you are new to the gym or even if you just don't like the idea of being watched. "Am I doing this correctly? Do I look out of place? Is that person next to me criticizing my form? Is everyone here judging me?"

No, they're not.

It's all in your head. Everyone in the gym is there to accomplish their own goals, and honestly, they really couldn't care less what you're doing. Out of all the people in that room with you, maybe one or two are going to glance over at you. But 99 percent of the time, they won't. They are far too preoccupied looking at themselves, trust me.

The more you go to the weight room, the less daunting it'll become. It's all about being secure in yourself and staying focused. Acknowledge that you are learning as you go. Don't be afraid to have a cheat sheet or to check a reference video during your workout. No one expects you to strut in and hit the bench on your first day. Ignore what the people around you are doing. Start with what you are comfortable with then work your way up to what intimidates you.

If you are still hesitant, the buddy system can be really effective here. Going to the gym with a friend can alleviate some of that anxiety. Or, if you're like me and prefer working out alone, do your research beforehand so you're prepared: watch YouTube videos, scroll through Instagram, read articles. Whatever works for you. It may sound time-consuming, but you'll be surprised by how much you can learn on your own and maybe even by how passionate you can become about fitness. Aim to walk into the weight room with specific workouts in mind each time so you can feel good about what you're accomplishing. Always have a plan.

But most importantly, set a goal for yourself and find something that inspires you. The universal message people in the fitness industry share is to always have a specific goal in mind. Why? Because it gives you the incentive to keep going. You'll be working towards something that you really want and that will push you to do better, to go harder. I started weight training because I wanted to change my lifestyle, and I draw inspiration every single day from following my favorite trainers' feeds and channels. Now I genuinely get excited to go to the gym and try out new workouts. If you are having fun while training, it'll leave little time to be self-conscious, I promise.

Be confident. If you aren't there yet then fake it! No one will know. Pace yourself and take it day by day. Soon enough, you won't sweat it one bit.