The Female Gym Experience
New research highlights barriers women face during gym training.
Women who train in gyms expressed both positive and negative emotions, from feeling “always on display” to “sometimes empowered”, in a survey study that explored women’s body image and gym experiences. Female researchers from Ireland and the U.K. reported these findings after studying why, in spite of all the benefits of regular exercise, women are less active than men. Gym owners, managers and training staff can tackle barriers faced by women in fitness facilities by incorporating a multi-level approach, according to study authors.
Main issues for women were related to physical appearance and body image, gym attire, the gym environment and in interactions with others. Specific recommendations include the following:
Facilities:
° Implement and enforce comprehensive anti-harassment policies for all members and staff, that are clearly communicated and establish zero-tolerance on any forms of harassment.
° Provide training for staff to recognize and address harassment incidents and how to foster a supportive and inclusive environment.
° Emphasize communication and advertising that decouple weight and body size from health and include diverse representation across gender, age, race/ethnicity, body size and ability.
° Produce gym attire that considers women’s training needs and fits a range of body shapes and sizes.
Industry and society:
° Develop and promote industry standards that require gyms to provide equipment and facilities that accommodate a diverse range of body sizes and types.
° Foster cultural shifts in perceptions of fitness that emphasize the value of physical activity for health and well-being rather than focusing solely on image goals. Possible methods include public health campaigns and media representation that highlight the diverse benefits of exercise and celebrate all body types engaging in physical activity.
The research is published in Plos One.
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References
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0316756
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA
Shirley Eichenberger-Archer, JD, MA, is an internationally acknowledged integrative health and mindfulness specialist, best-selling author of 16 fitness and wellness books translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide, award-winning health journalist, contributing editor to Fitness Journal, media spokesperson, and IDEA's 2008 Fitness Instructor of the Year. She's a 25-year industry veteran and former health and fitness educator at the Stanford Prevention Research Center, who has served on multiple industry committees and co-authored trade books and manuals for ACE, ACSM and YMCA of the USA. She has appeared on TV worldwide and was a featured trainer on America's Next Top Model.
