This test is aimed at individuals who have already started training at the gym, with the goal of identifying areas and equipment that cause discomfort through feedback from those familiar with gym environments.
What I did
I distributed 20 emotional stickers to gym members and invited them to place a smiley, neutral or sad face in the area where they felt comfortable, neutral or uncomfortable.
Why I did it
Instead of assuming where psychological barriers existed, I wanted to allow gym users to identify these spaces themselves.
What I discovered
The stickers created a visual emotional map of the gym. Positive and negative responses began to reveal specific areas where users felt more comfortable or uncertain.
What this changed
This experiment shifted my thinking from asking “How can I reduce gym anxiety?” to asking “Which moments and spaces create uncertainty for first-time users?”
Next intervention
Based on the emotional hotspots identified through the mapping exercise, I will develop a small-scale intervention to provide additional guidance or support in areas that may feel intimidating to beginners.
