“Enough’s Enough”: New Push to Stamp Out Gym Harassment in UK Fitness Spaces

Let’s face it—gym harassment has become the treadmill no one wants to run on, yet far too many women still find themselves stuck on it.

A staggering 71% of women across the UK say they’ve experienced some form of sexual harassment in public. Narrow that down to gyms and leisure centres, and the numbers get no less grim: four in ten female gym-goers have faced unwanted comments, invasive staring, or the classic close-range creep routine. For women aged 16 to 24, that figure rockets to 83%.

In a place meant for physical empowerment and mental reprieve, those numbers read more like a warning label than a welcome sign.

That’s why ukactive, in collaboration with Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign, CIMSPA, and Women’s Aid, has stepped off the sidelines and into the fray—launching a fresh suite of resources designed to combat gym harassment head-on. Their updated ‘Safer Spaces to Move’ hub is now live, offering practical staff training modules and operational guidance for gyms and leisure centres nationwide.

“It is vital that all industries take responsibility in helping to tackle sexual harassment,” said Hattie Jones, Head of Membership and Sector Development at ukactive.

“We want to continue this journey of improvement and ensure all operators and their workforces feel empowered and supported to respond appropriately to any instances of sexual harassment and intimidation.”

A Wake-Up Call with a Weight Plate

The UK Health & Fitness Market Report 2025 tells us that 11.5 million Brits over 16 are signed up to a health or fitness club. Among them, 7.6 million women are taking part in fitness activities at least twice every 28 days—a number that’s seen the biggest surge since last year. In short, the appetite to get active is there. But so too is the fear.

According to a survey by This Girl Can, 5% of female gym users reported feeling actively unsafe due to harassment. That may seem like a small percentage—until you realise it translates into over half a million people. That’s not a crack in the floor—it’s a chasm.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected when exercising,” said Claire Edwards, Head of Campaign Activation at This Girl Can. “Sexual harassment is a crime, but it is sadly a daily experience for many women.”

Tools for Change—Now Free and Accessible

So, what’s actually in this new toolkit? For starters:

• Operator Handbook: Think of it as a playbook for policies that don’t just sit on shelves collecting dust. It guides management on best practices when harassment is reported.
• Staff Training Modules: These free, downloadable lessons help frontline workers identify and handle harassment confidently. Operators without a Learning Management System can still get access via Future Fit Flex—on a first-come, first-served basis.

The resources were crafted in consultation with the Safer Spaces to Move Taskforce, which includes representatives across the public, private, and independent fitness sectors.

“Making spaces safer must be at the forefront of our sector’s priorities,” added Colin Huffen, Associate Director of Policy at CIMSPA. “The new resources align to the sector’s professional standards and will support our physical activity professionals and their employers.”

A Cultural Reset, Not Just a Policy Tweak

This isn’t just about awkward encounters in the free weights section. It’s about culture—redefining what’s acceptable and giving staff the tools to act when things aren’t. Because when women can’t focus on their workouts without watching their backs, everyone loses.

“Working on this over the last year and seeing the dedication of gyms and leisure centres to combat sexual harassment… has been fantastic,” said Sophie Francis-Cansfield, Head of Policy at Women’s Aid. “The new training modules and handbook will go a long way to ensuring women and girls feel confident to be part of active spaces.”

Gym harassment isn’t just a footnote—it’s a full-blown obstacle. But with these new resources, the sector is at least making moves to tackle it like they mean it.

Time to stop shrugging and start spotting. Safely. To access the Safer Spaces to Move resource hub, click here.