Digital fitness closing gender gaps

The gender gap in physical activity is something researchers have studied for years. Women are often less likely to be physically active due to gender roles and responsibilities that command how they spend their free time. As gym doors closed and fitness companies began moving their classes and coaching to online platforms during the pandemic, digital fitness took off.

Women are exercising more overall, but still not as much as men. Nevertheless, there are signs that the recent boom in digital fitness could close the gaps in accessibility and inclusivity for many people who, before now, either couldn’t work out at a gym or didn’t feel welcome, including women.

Breaking through historic barriers

If we embrace and support digital fitness communities, we’ll continue to break through obstacles to women’s accessibility to physical activity. The barriers we’ll power through are reflective of long-standing challenges.

Economic barriers

Costs associated with physical activity, such as purchasing equipment and gym membership fees, are notable barriers to physical activity.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the costs are a more substantial barrier for women because their income is often lower than that of men. Such costs are especially high expenditures for single mothers, which is one reason single mothers often report substantial barriers to physical activity.

While digital fitness can also be quite costly, numerous affordable and even free exercise classes and apps only require participants to bring their bodies.

A 2019 Report from the Global Wellness Institute attributes a significant portion of the worldwide growth in the practice of yoga to its online availability, which lowers cost barriers to participation.

Time barriers

Reports frequently point out women’s domestic workloads and roles as caregivers as factors that limit their time to participate in physical activity or get to the gym.

The pandemic reinforced this barrier, with a 2020 Deloitte study observing that the number of women reporting responsibility for 75% or more of caregiving duties has nearly tripled to 48% during the pandemic. Digital fitness communities provide a practical outlet for women to engage in physical activity on their own terms and in their own space, both physically and emotionally.

The ease of connecting to a livestream class from home with their dependents close by, or of streaming an on-demand video of a convenient duration any time of the day or night, makes fitting in time to exercise easier than ever for many women.

Cultural barriers

When it comes to sports participation, cultural norms, aesthetic pressure, and expectations around gender create a fear of being judged among women.

In one study on gender differences in strength training, women cite the presence and behaviors of men, feeling like they don’t know how to properly use the equipment, and feeling self-consciousness as common reasons for avoiding weight rooms and equipment.

Digital fitness communities provide a safe, private space with social support — something typically lacking for women in many male-dominated sport environments. The social encouragement, inspiration, and accountability inherent in women-focused digital fitness communities are promising steps forward in addressing cultural barriers to physical activity.

The bottom line

The global fitness industry is experiencing a digital revolution. As a result, a growing number of options are available for those who want to try various types of exercise — whether it’s a live-streamed yoga class with a cheap mat or an indoor mountain climb on an expensive bike.

Digital fitness is here to stay, even after the pandemic, and it can only help tackle the gender gap that has kept women from fully experiencing the benefits of physical activity. The digital fitness boom is empowering women both physically and mentally — and this year, we’ve more than earned the right to invest in ourselves. Sources: Healthline; Collective Think Tank

STATS

Benefits of Foam Rolling

• Ease muscle pain

• Increase range of motion

• Relieve back pain

• Help you to relax

Did you know?

Too much

Overtraining syndrome (OTS) can lower your fitness level, negatively affect your performance, and cause injuries.

Health tip

Work out within your limits.

Health precaution tip

Allow enough recovery time between workouts.