Understanding the Impact of Sexism on Women’s Exercise Habits

Let us get back to the basics. Exercise is an excellent activity to do throughout the week that brings many benefits without many downsides.

We all learn about its importance during PE classes at school. At the same time, many women face obstacles to engaging in regular physical activity due to sexist attitudes and practices.

In this blog post, we will explore the various ways in which sexism on women’s exercise habits impacts their routines and how to overcome these barriers.

The Reality of Sexism in Physical Activity

The physical activity world has been mostly dominated by men for many years. We have all heard about the gym bros and the “no pain no gain” lifestyle. 

Women usually feel intimidated by the gym language or respected in the space among intimidating men. 

In addition, traditional gender roles and stereotypes are pushed upon them, preventing women from taking part in activities that have been more commonly associated with men such as sports or weightlifting.

When was the last time that you thought you might “get too bulky” or “look like a man”? If it was not you, it might be your close friends or family having the same concern. 

Even in PE classes, girls and boys are often separated. Why? They are not participating in sporting events. The kids should have fun with each other.

How is a woman supposed to pursue total wellness while having to tiptoe around society’s sexism on women’s exercise? Strength training is especially needed for women.

It is essential to challenge these systemic issues and create a safe space for women to participate in physical activity without fear of judgment or discrimination.

Exercising is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, it is essential for society to recognize the importance of addressing underlying sexism and work together to create a more fair and equitable environment for everyone who enjoys physical activity.

Related post: Overcome Sexism on Women’s Exercise Routines with Strength Training

How Sexism Shapes Women’s Perceptions of Exercise

Sexism shapes how women perceive exercise by creating an environment where they are made to feel as if they do not belong in certain sports or activities. 

Recall the last time you went to a commercial gym. How many women do you see lifting weights compared to men? How many of them use the weight machine versus run on the treadmill?

Gender stereotypes dictate that exercise is something meant for men, and women are viewed as not belonging in exercise environments. From the beginning, there is inherent sexism on women’s exercise habits.

The implicit culture can lead to lower self-esteem, fear of judgment from peers, and a lack of motivation. Starting a new exercise routine is hard, imagine doing it when your mind is actively fighting against it.

Sexism on women’s exercise can take many forms, from subtle comments to blatantly sexist attitudes, and this kind of behavior can be pervasive in exercise settings. 

Women may find themselves excluded from exercise classes, terrified of the equipment, or even told they are ‘too weak’ to participate. 

Many women may feel discouraged from taking part in activities because of these negative associations, leading them to have a negative perception of exercise overall.

I will use myself as an example. I like to practice judo, which is a combat sport. There is ONLY 1, that is right, one more woman in the class, out of the 30 people attending.

It is important to combat sexism and ensure that all forms of exercise are seen as valid and accessible for everyone, regardless of gender. 

By creating a more inclusive environment, we can encourage more women to take part in physical activities without fear of discrimination or ridicule, leading to greater health benefits overall.

4 Strategies for Overcoming Sexist Obstacles to Exercise

Overcoming sexist obstacles to exercise does not have to be an uphill battle.

Despite the prevalence of sexism in women’s exercise in our society, there is an abundance of opportunities to take control of your fitness journey and power through the barriers that may be in your way.

Here are 4 strategies for overcoming sexist obstacles:

• Find a comfortable location to exercise, i.e. at home, in the park or gym
• Join a women’s-only group fitness class
• Research the exercise environment before committing long term
• Find a support system of like-minded peers of all genders
• Hire a supportive fitness coach to guide you through the process while taking your concerns into account

Sexism is a pervasive issue, but it does not have to keep you from achieving your health and wellness goals.

Once you have identified or developed the strategies that work best for you, it is important to remain committed and consistent in order to make real progress with your fitness goals.

To do this, we must remain committed and consistent in our efforts to strive for progress and success. 

It is only through our commitment and motivation that we can stay the course and break down the barriers of sexism.

To End Our Discussion on Sexism on Women’s Exercise Habits

All in all, it is clear that sexism profoundly impacts women’s exercise habits and influences their decisions to engage in physical activity. 

In order to overcome these barriers, it is important to recognize the root causes of sexism and challenge the existing conventions of what is considered “acceptable” behavior.

You can take action today to combat this problem for your health. Having a supportive coach to lead you through this hurdle can be life-changing.

Why should you try to fight sexism on women’s exercise all on your own, without the knowledge, and experience?

You will surely encounter more problems and delay any progress you can make. This is where I come to help.

We can work together to figure out the best way for you to exercise while ensuring the total wellness balance that you need.