No matter how long you’ve been going to the gym, the sight of a free weights section packed with people who look like they know what they’re doing can be enough to make you want to turn around and walk back out again.

Because let’s face it: exercising publicly can feel strange, awkward and a little embarrassing. What if people are silently judging you? What if you do something wrong and get corrected? But it goes deeper than anxiety – it’s putting some women off exercise.

Studies show that women are more likely to experience gym-timidation than men (65% vs. 36%), with 55% of women admitting they are afraid they’re not fit enough to work out. 49% shared that they’re often insecure about their choice of clothing, and 25% dreaded being stereotyped.

Thankfully, TikTok is coming to the rescue with a swathe of new routines termed “shy girl workouts”.

Shy girl workouts: how the latest viral TikTok fitness trend is helping women build their confidence at the gym