Evolving Women’s Fitness
While an expanding body of research reveals new benefits of regular physical activity for women at all life stages, from pregnancy to menopause and beyond, participation continues to lag behind recommended levels. However, new female-focused gym offerings, inclusive community groups, safety-first networks, apps and equipment are converging to improve engagement, with resistance training offerings particularly resonating.
Women’s Fitness Barriers
Active at Every Stage
Ladies Who Lift
Hurdles including time restraints, self-confidence and safety concerns are impacting women’s access to physical activity, despite a growing body of evidence pointing to its gender-specific benefits. A plethora of women’s-only spaces and safety-centred outdoor fitness programmes are helping to mitigate some of these challenges, while inclusive activities are welcoming women from minority communities to engage with fitness.
Hurdles including time restraints, self-confidence and safety concerns are impacting women’s access to physical activity, despite a growing body of evidence pointing to its gender-specific benefits. A plethora of women’s-only spaces and safety-centred outdoor fitness programmes are helping to mitigate some of these challenges, while inclusive activities are welcoming women from minority communities to engage with fitness.
Summary
Women’s Fitness Barriers | Hurdles including time restraints, self-confidence and safety concerns are impacting women’s access to physical activity, despite a growing body of evidence pointing to its gender-specific benefits. A plethora of women’s-only spaces and safety-centred outdoor fitness programmes are helping to mitigate some of these challenges, while inclusive activities are welcoming women from minority communities to engage with fitness. |
Active at Every Stage | Studies involving women’s fitness have historically been few and far between. Now, however, a growing movement to understand how physical activity effects women at different hormonal and life stages is emerging. In line with this, gyms and fitness brands are developing workout offerings and equipment to better service pregnant women, new mums and those going through the menopause. |
Ladies Who Lift | Buoyed by emerging research supporting its gender-specific benefits for mobility, mental health and hormonal decline, women globally are embracing weight training. In 2024, strength training was the fastest-growing sport type among women on US-based digital fitness tracking community Strava, with a 25% uptick in uploads (Strava, 2024). This includes both classic gym-based weight-lifting activities and lower-impact resistance activities like rucking. |
Evolving Women’s Fitness
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