A new report by This Girl Can has revealed alarming statistics about the feelings of inclusion among women, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds. The study, released today, found only one in ten women feel they completely belong in the physical activity community. For those women coming from underrepresented groups—such as Black women, Asian Muslim women, pregnant women, new mothers, and older women—the sense of exclusion is even more pronounced.
To tackle this issue, This Girl Can has launched the campaign ‘Belonging Starts With Inclusion’ today at a vibrant event held in Birmingham. The campaign featured a large mural showcasing full-length portraits of three inspiring women, including 23-year-old Tamiah from Birmingham. Tamiah shared her personal story about feeling alienated from fitness following the birth of her son via C-section. "I had to come to terms with my body...It was one of the worst experiences," she stated. Her call for more women-only gyms and support for those with diverse backgrounds resonates with many others facing similar struggles.
The report's findings are staggering. Nearly two-fifths of women (38%) from lower-income brackets reported feeling excluded from physical activity, with one-sixth (17%) feeling unwelcome enough to never return to such settings or losing confidence to try new activities. More than half (51%) conveyed feelings of not belonging to gyms, and this sentiment extends to other public spaces such as parks, where one-sixth again reported feeling out of place.
Safety concerns loom large as well, with 18% of women stating they have felt unsafe or been subjected to stares during physical activities. Even more alarming, 19% have encountered inappropriate comments or assumptions based solely on their appearance or presence. This culture of exclusion and safety fears detracts from women's motivation to engage with physical activity, leading to broader health consequences.
Only 15% of women from lower-income groups report getting active for the recommended 150+ minutes per week for six months or longer, with the numbers dropping even lower for underrepresented groups, where fewer than one-eighth manage regular activity. Cost and affordability are cited as primary barriers by 49% of respondents, but lack of motivation, energy levels, and confidence also significantly hinder participation.
Solutions proposed by women facing these challenges highlight the need for greater inclusivity. Many women expressed interest in women-only sessions (26%) and staff who are attuned to their requirements (25%). Nearly one-third (32%) are particularly interested in gentle, low-impact classes, catering to varying fitness levels.
Looking to bridge the gap, it is noteworthy how community solutions are rising to meet these needs. The Chadderton Wellbeing Centre has recently launched a dedicated workout space exclusively for women, aligned with the positive feedback from their Women’s Wednesdays initiative. This weekly event has provided for women-only access to swimming, sauna, aquasize, and various group classes such as aerobics and Zumba.
The new women-only gym at the Chadderton Wellbeing Centre offers extensive cardio and strength training equipment, and is staffed entirely by women. Stuart Lockwood, Chief Executive of Oldham Active, explained, “The decision to invest in this dedicated space arose from the success of our Women’s Wednesdays. We understand some women prefer exercising solely among other women.”
Local officials have praised this endeavor, with Councillor Peter Dean stating, “This is a great addition to the community—providing women with their own workout spaces, so they can exercise comfortably and without feeling self-conscious.”
The gym hours are convenient, operating from 6:30 am to 9 pm on weekdays and 8 am to 5 pm on weekends, allowing women ample opportunities to engage with these new supportive environments.
Kate Dale, the Director of Marketing at Sport England and This Girl Can, expressed the urgency of addressing these barriers: “Our findings are shocking but not surprising. So many women feel they’re not made to get active... The gender activity gap persists as we fail to create inclusive spaces.”
Strongly advocating for change, Dale acknowledged the need for all stakeholders—from policymakers to fitness facility owners—to create spaces conducive to women feeling welcome. "Belonging starts with inclusion" is not just a campaign slogan; it is increasingly becoming the clarion call for women's movement and well-being across communities.