Well, here’s a bit of news that might surprise exactly no one—women in the UK want to get outside and get moving, but life keeps getting in the way.
According to a study from the This Girl Can campaign, powered by Sport England, a staggering 70% of women are itching to embrace the outdoors for some good old-fashioned exercise.
But, like finding a moment of peace in a day packed with responsibilities, it’s not as simple as it sounds.
Now, let’s not pretend that all women face the same challenges. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of issue. The barriers are as diverse as the women themselves.
Take Asian women, for example—19% of them say they just don’t have the time to squeeze in a workout.
And for Black women? A whopping 21% don’t even have a decent green space nearby to get their fitness fix. It’s like trying to plan a workout without a gym in sight!
But don’t hang up your trainers just yet. The This Girl Can campaign isn’t just about pointing out the problems; it’s about rolling up its sleeves and doing something about them.
Enter Let’s Get Out There, the latest initiative that’s putting the spotlight on groups across the UK making it easier for women to get active outdoors.
Whether it’s Swim Sista Swim in Nottingham or Saheli Hub in Birmingham, these folks are doing the hard yards to help women overcome those pesky obstacles.
One such hero in this story is Yashmin Harun, who leads the Muslimah Sports Association. She’s not just offering exercise opportunities; she’s creating a space where cultural sensitivities are respected.
“As an organisation working with specific groups, we need to understand specific cultural sensitivities, such as aversions to dogs and adherence to prayer times.
This helps to create an environment where Muslim women feel comfortable to get active outdoors and can voice their needs without fear of judgement,” Yashmin explains.
It’s a bit like finding that perfect course where you can finally drive your ball without worrying about landing in someone’s backyard.
The study didn’t stop there—it dug a bit deeper into the universal challenges women face when it comes to outdoor activities.
Turns out, a quarter of the women surveyed don’t feel fit enough to break a sweat outside, and the same number say they simply don’t have the time.
Not to mention the 15% who aren’t exactly thrilled about showing off their bodies and the 14% who don’t have a workout buddy to share the misery… er, I mean, joy.
So, what would it take to get these women off the sidelines? Well, it seems more time (24%), less crowded spaces (21%), and a little companionship (19%) might do the trick. Simple, right?
Kate Dale, the big brain behind the marketing of This Girl Can, knows the importance of addressing these barriers.
“With the weather hopefully warming up this summer, women want to get active outdoors—but numerous barriers like not having enough time, feeling self-conscious, and not having anyone to go with are holding them back. Some of these are felt even more by different communities.”
With heavyweights like Forestry England, Canal & River Trust, and Ordnance Survey in their corner, Let’s Get Out There isn’t just talk—it’s action.
By showcasing the efforts of these organisations and community leaders, the campaign hopes to inspire others to follow suit, making the great outdoors a playground for all women.
So, the next time you’re out enjoying a sunny walk or jog, remember, it’s not just about burning calories or logging steps.
It’s about claiming a space in nature that’s as much about mental well-being as it is about physical health. And with a little help from This Girl Can, more women will be out there doing just that.
For more details and to join the movement, check out This Girl Can.