The power of kindness has had quite a moment in the past couple of years. But despite all the inspirational ‘be kind’ quotes flooding Instagram, we’re still a judgmental society.

So it’s no surprise that according to a survey of 100 people aged 18 to 54, conducted by Skin in Motion, a whopping 89% of women said they feel judged on their appearance when they’re exercising. Let’s call it ‘gymtimidation’ – a deep and very real fear or being unsure or observed.

The ‘judgy’ voice in your head

You might have experienced it yourself. You’re at the gym, building up your stamina on the running machine, when a niggling voice pops up in your head: they’re staring at me, I’m sweating, I look ridiculous. You have a sudden urge to slip out, fling a towel over your shiny face and never set foot in the place again.

We shouldn’t have to feel like that – everyone should know their full worth. But so many of us are weighed down by low self esteem and insecurity.

This fear of judgment and lack of confidence are just two of the emotional pressures that stop many women from being as active as they would like, according to Sport England. It’s reported that an alarming 75% of women are discouraged from any physical activity due to concerns about their appearance. There’s a significant gender divide, too: 313,600 fewer women than men are regularly active.

A place where romance blossoms?

And yet the gym is somewhere we go to feel good about ourselves, right?

It’s also a hotspot for meeting like-minded individuals. Maybe that’s why, according to a joint survey by Bumble and Gymshark, 46% of gym goers would rather meet a potential partner at a fitness class than on a night out – they know they’re more likely to have heaps in common. If only they didn’t feel so self-conscious…

For many women, the solution is to put on a full face of makeup before grabbing their gym bag and heading out of the house. That’s absolutely fine. In a perfect world we’d all flit around au natural, not giving two hoots about under-eye bags, uneven skin tone and fine lines. But that’s not most people’s reality. You do whatever makes you feel good.

The lowdown on makeup

Whether to wear makeup in the gym or go bare faced is a hot debate. Fact. But if you’ve come straight from work where cosmetics are your norm, or you just prefer a little coverage while you work out, you’re not alone.

Here are some more stats* that back this up:

• 83% of women wear makeup when exercising
• 76% of women think wearing makeup while exercising has helped boost their confidence

On the flipside, some skincare experts claim that really heavy makeup can clog the pores, causing potential skin issues. It also carries the risk of your complexion looking patchy post workout.

• 86% of women would feel embarrassed if their makeup was a mess after exercising
• 92% of women believe looking after both their body and their skin are equally important

[*from Skin in Motion‘s survey]

Feeling empowered again

So where do we go from here? First up, here are a few tips on how to shake off that judgy feeling in the gym…

1. Plan your workouts beforehand. Familiarise yourself with the equipment, too. If you feel confident about what you’re doing, the anxiety over how you look will have less prominence in your mind.
2. Practice mindfulness. This involves being in the present moment and accepting any negative feelings you may have to help you move past the anxiety.
3. Focus on your end goal. What are you hoping to achieve in the gym? Make a list of the positive gains you’ll make. Taking control of the situation can help you feel more empowered, reducing feelings of insecurity.
4. Try the ‘gradual exposure’ technique. This means starting off small by taking yourself into the gym environment for short bursts at quieter off-peak times. You’ll soon feel like you belong and that you deserve to be there – because you do!
5. Use a sweat-friendly wellness brand. Skin in Motion’s rejuvenating makeup is specially formulated for when you’re in the gym or active outdoors. Tested by athletes, the smart formulas promise healthy, long-lasting wear, while preserving your skin’s natural radiance, free from clogged pores and makeup meltdowns.

Ready to switch from gymtimidation to gymspiration?

Skin in Motion’s sweat-friendly makeup is specifically formulated for when you’re socially exercising or active. Tested by athletes, the formulas offer healthy, long-lasting coverage that will give your skin a natural glow to boost your confidence, without any clogged pores or makeup meltdowns.

Alongside a skincare and makeup range tailored for fitness queens, Skin in Motion have the secret to unlocking the energy to match your newfound confidence.

Luckily for you, we have a one-year supply of Skin in Motion energy-boosting skin patches to give away here – worth £348!

BOOST IT Energy Vitamin Patches offer a more direct, slow-releasing and purer alternative to oral supplements. Each daily patch contains a trio of revitalising B vitamins, along with stimulating green tea extract to keep you on your toes. Only the goodness is absorbed, to deliver a surge of natural energy into your bloodstream to help keep you alert and active all day.

Pop a patch on a clean, hair-free area (such as your inner or upper arm, inner wrist or lower back) then soak in the benefits over the next 12 to 24 hours. Simply remove and dispose of when no longer needed.

Find out more about Skin In Motion’s sweat-friendly skinwear.