The Must-Know Womens Fitness Statistics

In 2024, women’s fitness continues to evolve, with more women than ever embracing active lifestyles and prioritising their health. Whether it’s through strength training, yoga, or cardio workouts, women are breaking barriers and redefining what it means to be fit and healthy. 

But beyond the latest trends, what do the numbers really tell us about women’s fitness? From participation rates to the growing influence of digital fitness platforms, the data reveals powerful insights into how women are shaping the future of fitness.

In this post, we’ll explore the must-know women’s fitness statistics for 2024/5, offering a snapshot of key trends and progress.

Women’s Fitness Participation Statistics

When it comes to fitness participation, there are many factors that impact the figures. First and foremost, you should know that women make up the majority of gym memberships. However, men are more likely to participate in fitness activities outside of a commercial gym setting.

This includes playing sports at the park with friends, doing outdoor workouts like boot camp classes, participating in obstacle courses or races, lifting weights around their home- not necessarily at a dedicated home gym but in their garage, basement, or living room.

• According to Sport England, there are 313,600 fewer women than men who take part in sports and exercise activities.
• Women are more likely to experience ‘gymtimidation’ (25%) than men (16%)
• Data from Sport England’s insight tracker shows that the This Girl Can campaign has positively impacted women aged between 41 and 60. Up to 81% reported that the campaign helped UK women to feel more confident being physically active.
• According to Statista, nearly 21 million people watched televised women’s sports coverage in the UK from January 1 to April 30, 2024.

Read More: 5 Ladies Who Lift Success Stories You Need To Hear

Girls Fitness Statistics

According to Sport England’s Active Lives Children and Young People survey, there are both positive and negative findings in regards to girls and teens participation in sport and physical activity:

• There are statistically significant sex differences such as girls (44%) being less likely to be active than their male counterparts (51%).
• There are 68,000 (1.5%) more girls playing football since the Lionesses won Euro 2022. There are now 845,000 girls playing the game in England, an increase of 176,000 (4%) since the 2017-18 academic year.
• Infant age (school Years 1-2, ages 5-7) girls have seen no long-term growth in activity levels, whereas boys have seen an increase of 3.5% compared to academic year 2017- 18. As a result the gender gap for this age group has widened to 9.2% (from 6.3% in 2017-18).
• Teenage girls (school Years 9-11, ages 13-16) are seeing slightly stronger growth in activity levels over the longer term compared to teenage boys (10.9% vs 8.7%). Despite this, the gender gap for this age group remains wide at 7.3%.

Mental Health in Women’s Fitness Statistics

Mental health plays a crucial role in women’s fitness, and the statistics show just how closely linked mental and physical well being truly are. Regular exercise not only strengthens the body, but can also provide significant benefits for mental health, helping to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. 

The physical effort put into workouts can release endorphins, improve mood, and boost self-confidence. In this section, we’ll dive into the key statistics that highlight the positive impact of fitness on women’s mental wellbeing, as well as how some mental health barriers are hindering women’s fitness:

• The more women move, the better they feel. Women who exercise regularly are 52% happier, 50% more energised, 48% more confident, 67% less stressed and 80% less frustrated.
• Over half of women are not exercising as much as they would like and missing out on the physical and mental benefits of exercise.
• Women are experiencing barriers to exercise throughout their lifetime, from time pressures (74%) and low self-confidence (35%) to intimidating environments (44%) or not feeling sporty enough (42%).
• 26% of women worry about leaving their home to take part in physical activity, this in comparison to 17% of men.
• Men are significantly more likely than women to participate in physical activity to manage their physical and mental health:
• Physical health – 63% vs. 51%
• Mental health – 65% vs. 56%

References: ASICS and Sport Wales

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Menopause Fitness Statistics

One of the common barriers to women’s fitness is the onset of menopause – when the body stops producing oestrogen and progesterone. Since these hormones are in charge of regulating a woman’s menstrual cycle, once they stop being produced, symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats may occur. This survey of 427 women shows:

• 84% of women who don’t meet physical activity guidelines would like to be more active

• 82% experienced menopausal symptoms

• 70% felt their symptoms had a moderate-to-severe impact on their quality of life

• 55% had symptoms for 2 years or more (27% for 5+ years)

• 30% of women were less active since menopause

• 90% would consider physical activity if it was recommended by a GP or health professional

Read More: It’s Never Too Late To Start Weightlifting: Basics For Beginners

Working in Fitness Statistics

When it comes to women in leadership roles in the fitness industry, there has long been a gender gap. According to a survey, 47% of men work in leadership roles in fitness compared to only 36% of women. Men comprise 70% of gym owners and women account for 29%.

Statistics have confirmed that attitudes towards women in fitness vary, showing that:

• 40% or 4 in 10 of the women working in sport feel they are valued less than men in the workplace because of their gender

• 40% of men and 61% of women believe women face more challenges to become senior leaders

• 34% of women have seen their professional performance judged by their sporting ability

• Only 3% of women and 9% of men believe it’s easier for women to progress

• 53% of women and 23% of men believe it’s easier for men to progress

Related Reading: Ladies Who Lift Myths Debunked: Our Survey Results

Looking For Women’s-Only Strength Training Classes in London?

At Strength Ambassadors, we provide women-only strength training classes in our London gym. We believe that women’s-only classes provide a fantastic way for women to get active, train hard and help them build muscle whilst also providing other benefits like stress relief, mental health improvement and a judgement-free zone to come and just enjoy their workout. We hope this encourages women to join us in the strength gym and see what they can achieve!

If this sounds like something you’d like to try, check out our timetable here or get in touch with us today!

Women’s Fitness Stats 2024: FAQs

How can moderate-intensity activity benefit women’s mental health and fitness?

Moderate-intensity activities, such as brisk walking or cycling, are shown to have positive effects on mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Engaging in these activities regularly helps to improve mood and overall well being, making it easier to maintain a balanced fitness routine.

What are some effective muscle-strengthening activities for women to include in their fitness regimen?

Effective muscle-strengthening activities for women include lifting weights, bodyweight exercises (like squats and push-ups), and resistance band workouts. These activities not only build muscle but also support joint health and increase overall strength, which can enhance daily physical tasks and improve confidence in fitness.

How can women overcome barriers to exercise and stay motivated?

To overcome barriers such as time pressures or low self-confidence, women can set realistic fitness goals, find a workout buddy, or choose activities they enjoy. Joining supportive environments, like women-only fitness classes, can also help alleviate feelings of intimidation and make staying active more enjoyable.