Why are 40% of women too embarrassed to exercise in public?

Whilst Personal Training a client this morning a news headline flashed up onto the television screen…

“40% of woman are too embarrassed to exercise in public”

I was stunned. But perhaps I shouldn’t have been.

My client immediately turned to me and said “I wouldn’t be here right now unless you were with me. I’d be too embarrassed”

Now, the client mentioned is an attractive middle aged female who keeps herself in incredible shape. She’s strong, athletic and exercise has been a huge part of her life. So why would she be embarrassed?

It got me thinking, so I decided to look deeper into the issue.

There were 3 main reasons that kept surfacing as to why women were embarrassed to exercise in public;

1. Being judged on appearance

Unfortunately this is the main reason for most women. Has this always been the case? The answer is sadly yes. But the problem seems to be getting worse. As fitness influencers it’s our responsibility to encourage and instil confidence in our clients, members or followers. We shouldn’t set unrealistic expectations or goals. This begins with what we say but it also extend to how we show it. Are we posting relevant and inspiring content on social media? Or is it unattainable for most people? Now everybody and yes I mean EVERYBODY needs to take responsibility for this because everybody is a fitness influencer! Not just your Personal Trainer at the gym with six pack abs and bulging biceps. Everyone has the ability to inspire and motivate those around them by what they say and how they show it.

What inspires me is when I see people getting fitter around me both mentally and physically. When the look on someone’s face screams out “I can’t believe I just did that”. If everyone could capture that moment on camera and post that on Instagram I think we would be inspiring many more people to want that feeling too!

2. Being judged on how they “exercise”

This is the category my client falls under. It’s a feeling that they are afraid of getting it wrong, a fear that people are watching, waiting for them to mess up and judging. This is something that unfortunately we have all experienced, fitness related or otherwise. My best piece of advice here is don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for help. I had another gentleman ask me recently what muscle I was working when I was doing a barbell hip thrust.

I was more than happy to answer his question. (mainly the Gluteus Maximus a.k.a the booty). This is an example of someone with a growth mindset. They weren’t afraid to ask for help. Now, if he had a fixed mindset he might not have asked, tried the hip thrust later on and felt fearful because people might have looked at him and judged him. Instead because he now understood the mechanics of the move he was able to perform the exercise correctly and with confidence.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I’d like to believe… we are all willing to give it.

3. Feeling guilty about spending time on themselves

This one is specifically targeted at the Mother’s, feelings of being judged because they are spending time on themselves rather than with their baby or child. I’d love to see this stigma reversed. Mothers truly have the power to inspire the future generation to exercise and be healthy. It’s important that they lead by example, with that, they are able to become the role model their child looks up to.

Spend time on you. Exercise with confidence and don’t be judged on appearance.

Flive’s trainers can provide the education, the support, the knowledge and the mindset shifts that any female might desire. We have inspiring female and male fitness influencers whose mission is to truly encourage as many people to exercise with confidence as possible.

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Kyle | CEO, Founder

Flive | The World’s First Live Streaming Fitness App