A new study out of England uncovered that some women don’t exercise as regularly as they would like out of fear of being judged by others.
Going to the gym can sometimes be an intimidating experience, especially for beginners. Developing a workout routine can be difficult for adults in all walks of life, but researchers at Sport England wanted to find out why two million fewer women than men participate in regular exercise and sporting activities. After conducting research and analyzing the data, sport scientists came up with three key reasons, and they all revolve around perceived judgment from others. The three key factors are:
- Concerns over their appearance.
- Concerns about their fitness levels or ability.
- Fear of, as mothers, being judged for putting themselves before their children.
“Women do less sport and exercise than men, but most say they would like to do more,” said Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England. “We found out by talking to women of all ages up and down the country that what’s stopping them is fear, fear of judgement: whether that’s about how they look, whether they’re any good at it, or feeling guilty about spending time on themselves.”
More on the Study
It probably comes as no surprise that the majority of people would like to exercise more, but a whopping 75 percent of women said they would like to exercise more, but don’t because of their fear of being judged. Furthermore, the prospect of being judged affects women at all ages levels. The study asked the question to 9.4 million women between the ages of 14 and 40, and more than 7 million stated they would like to exercise more, and the most popular response as to why they didn’t was the fear of judgement outweighed self-confidence.
Many women’s groups are trying to build awareness and promote self-confidence in the wake of the study’s findings. The “This Girl Can” program is set to launch a targeted campaign to inspire more women to kick their fear and go out and exercise. They hope to do this by showing women that they are not alone and that they should give that gym or sport club another chance.
Dr. Silverman comments
We all make excuses to justify skipping a workout here and there, but these findings are concerning. In today’s social media crazy world, the prospect of being belittled on Twitter for using a wrong lifting technique or because you’re not as fit as others at the gym is a real problem. The fear of being judged is real, and now that we know just how many people it affects, it’s time to do something about it.
There are many ways to get over your fears of being judged while exercising. Bring a friend to help with any spotting or to just keep you company while you work out, or opt for a more private workout in your home or outside in a relaxing setting like a park or a nature trail. Get creative! Another tip is to remember this study. You’re not alone. Many people have concerns about their appearance or their fitness ability, so don’t think you’re the only one without a perfect stride. Finally, the last tip is to just go for it. After you go to the gym once, you’ll find it easier to go the next day or the day after. You’ll feel good physically and emotionally after a workout, and use that feeling to motivate yourself to exercise regularly. You can do it!
Related source: Daily Mail