Lifting weights is SO IMPORTANT. Lifting burns a helluva lot more calories than cardio and you end up with a peachy bum and sculpted arms as a lovely bonus. So, if it's just getting into the room that's putting you off, here's a few pointers.

1. Have a plan. Before you walk in, decide what you want to do first. Make it something simple. i.e bicep curls. Walk over to the weights rack, pick up some weights and off you go. At that point you can have a little sly look around, check what machines are free and what other people seem to be doing, then copy them. Unless they look like a maniac, or they're using a legs machine with their arms.

2. Scope out the room at a quiet time (generally mid afternoon) so when it's busier if the machine you want to use isn't free then you know you've got some back ups.

3. If you find yourself standing in the middle of the room, frozen, looking around desperately for a piece of kit (yup, exactly like that bit before the IKEA tills), DON'T WORRY. Either, do some squats (people will think you're warming up) or hold a plank (more time to look around and see where you can go next). If that's too much, look at your phone, send an imaginary text, buy yourself some time.

4. Ask a weights famdem to explain a machine to you. I'll let you in to a secret. People who lift like nothing better than talking to other people about lifting. If you ask someone how to work a machine they will quite frankly be overjoyed. They not only will explain that machine to you, they'll probably explain seven more and then offer to spot you (when they take their top off and ask you to guess their bodyfat, it's time to make your excuses and leave).

5. No-one cares. We spend 80% of the time in the gym worrying about what other people are thinking about us. Quite honestly, everyone is so self obsessed, they're not looking at you. If they do give you a second glance, they probably think 'respect to a new brother/sister for lifting up heavy tings and putting them down again.' I once saw a man in only his boxers doing interpretive dance on a pull up machine. Everyone was so keen to post a sick Instagram story they didn't even clock this genius so trust me, no-one is looking at you.

About the writer:
Melissa Power is the Founder of MPowered, a Personal Trainer and Indoor Cycling Instructor. Having taught nearly 10,000 classes in her career so far, it's safe to say Melissa knows pretty much everything there is about how to get the absolute best out of her clients. Her technical and musical knowledge, combined with her experience and passion, means she delivers the most exciting and intense exercise classes in the capital.

Whether it's pedalling furiously on a bike, lifting weights, jumping up and down or lying on a mat swearing through a particularly tough ab routine, Melissa will be there, cheering enthusiastically, doing it all with you, and making you feel like exercising is actually a lot less horrible than you'd imagined.

Visit https://melissapower.co.uk/ to find out more about Melissa and how to sign up to her Indoor Cycling Certification.