In the world of fitness, there’s often a lot of pressure to look a certain way, eat a specific way, and train in a manner that feels more about aesthetics than true strength. For many, the gym can feel like an intimidating place, where everyone seems to know exactly what they’re doing, and the loud clanking of weights only adds to the anxiety. But one fitness influencer is working to break down these barriers, encouraging others to build strength, ditch diet culture, and tackle gymtimidation head-on.
Meet Claire Adams, a lifting enthusiast, body-positive advocate, and trainer who has turned social media into a platform for empowering people, particularly women, to embrace strength training in all its forms. Through her online presence, she’s challenging conventional notions of fitness and redefining what it means to be strong, healthy, and confident in the gym.
1. Strength Training: More Than Just Aesthetics
One of the biggest misconceptions Claire Adams works to challenge is the idea that strength training is only about physical appearance. For so long, fitness has been linked to how one looks rather than how one feels or performs. The focus on sculpting a “perfect” body has often left people feeling inadequate or pressured to fit into a specific mold.
“Strength isn’t just about aesthetics,” Claire says. “It’s about what your body can do, how you can push yourself, and how you feel inside. Strength training gives you the ability to do things you never thought possible, and that’s empowering.”
Claire encourages her followers to shift their perspective on fitness from appearance-based goals to performance-driven ones. By focusing on improving strength, endurance, and mobility, individuals can build a healthier relationship with exercise—one that is rooted in functionality and personal progress, rather than external validation.
“Training should be about what feels good for you and what helps you become stronger, both physically and mentally,” Claire explains. “When you shift the focus away from how you look and towards how you feel, you unlock a whole new level of confidence.”
2. Ditching Diet Culture: Embrace Balance Over Restriction
Diet culture is another major area that Claire is passionate about challenging. From fad diets to extreme calorie restrictions, the fitness industry has long perpetuated unhealthy attitudes toward food. For years, the message has been that in order to be “fit” or “healthy,” people must follow strict diets or cut out entire food groups. This, Claire argues, can lead to feelings of guilt, disordered eating habits, and an unhealthy relationship with food.
“Diet culture tells us that food is the enemy, but it doesn’t have to be that way,” Claire says. “When you start listening to your body, understanding your nutritional needs, and eating in a way that fuels your workouts and life, you can break free from that cycle of restriction and guilt.”
Claire advocates for a balanced approach to eating—one that prioritizes nourishment over restriction. She believes that food is meant to be enjoyed, not feared, and that having a flexible, intuitive relationship with eating can lead to sustainable health and wellness.
“I encourage my followers to focus on how food makes them feel and how it supports their training and overall well-being,” she explains. “When you stop thinking of food as a punishment or reward, it opens the door to a healthier, more sustainable way of living.”
3. Gymtimidation: It’s Okay to Start Where You Are
For many, the gym can be a daunting place. The fear of judgment, the confusion about which exercises to do, and the uncertainty about equipment can make the experience uncomfortable, especially for beginners. Claire knows this struggle all too well, and it’s one of the reasons she’s so passionate about helping people overcome their gymtimidation.
“Gymtimidation is real,” Claire acknowledges. “A lot of people walk into a gym feeling like they’re not good enough or that they’re going to be judged. But the reality is, everyone starts somewhere. No one knows everything when they first walk in the door.”
Claire encourages her followers to embrace the learning process and to remind themselves that everyone—whether they’re a seasoned athlete or a beginner—was once in their shoes. The key, she says, is to focus on your own journey, not compare yourself to others, and give yourself permission to take things at your own pace.
“Focus on your goals, and don’t worry about what others are doing,” she advises. “Everyone in the gym is there to better themselves, just like you are. It’s okay to ask for help, take things slow, and learn as you go.”
Through her own journey and her experience as a trainer, Claire has learned that confidence in the gym comes from consistency and a willingness to embrace discomfort. Over time, as individuals build their strength and see progress, their self-assurance grows, and the intimidation fades away.
4. Building a Supportive Community
One of Claire’s favorite aspects of the fitness community is the camaraderie and support that can be built through shared goals and experiences. In an industry often known for its competitiveness and pressure to meet certain standards, Claire emphasizes the importance of uplifting and supporting others, especially women.
“I’ve found that one of the most rewarding aspects of fitness is the community,” Claire says. “When people come together and support each other, magic happens. You learn that you’re not alone in your struggles, and you realize that your body is capable of so much more than you thought.”
Whether it’s through her social media platform or her work with clients, Claire aims to foster an environment where people feel supported and celebrated for their individual progress, no matter where they are on their fitness journey.
“I love seeing women, in particular, encourage one another, whether it’s lifting heavier weights, mastering a new movement, or simply showing up consistently,” she says. “We’re all in this together, and that’s what makes the journey so much more rewarding.”
5. Practical Tips for Getting Started
For those who are just starting their strength-training journey, Claire offers some simple and practical tips to get started:
- Start with the basics: If you’re new to lifting, begin with foundational exercises like squats, lunges, and push-ups to build strength and mobility.
- Progress at your own pace: It’s important to progress gradually. Don’t rush to lift heavy weights; instead, focus on mastering proper form and increasing your strength over time.
- Set achievable goals: Whether it’s lifting a certain weight or simply showing up to the gym consistently, setting small, attainable goals will keep you motivated.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you’re unsure about an exercise or piece of equipment, ask a trainer or experienced gym-goer for guidance.
- Celebrate small victories: Every bit of progress counts, whether it’s adding an extra rep or feeling stronger than the week before.
Conclusion
Claire Adams’ approach to strength training is all about embracing progress, focusing on how we feel rather than how we look, and creating an environment where everyone—regardless of their fitness level—feels empowered and supported. By challenging the constraints of diet culture, helping others overcome gymtimidation, and encouraging people to see strength as a journey, she’s fostering a more inclusive and positive approach to fitness.
If there’s one key takeaway from Claire’s message, it’s this: strength is not about perfection, but about progress. By letting go of outdated standards and embracing the process, we can all build a stronger, healthier relationship with fitness that prioritizes both physical and mental well-being. Whether you’re lifting weights or lifting your self-esteem, the goal is the same—to feel empowered in your own skin and to celebrate your strength every step of the way.
