As of May this year, approximately 10.3 million people in the UK are members of gymnasiums. This means that nearly one-in-seven Brits are signed up to local gyms, with the number having increased slightly since the coronavirus pandemic.
The number would also arguably be higher were it not for the fact that they felt self-conscious, due to factors such as inexperience, carrying excess weight or their genders.
That’s right, so-called “gym anxiety” is a genuine issue in the UK and across the globe, while this is most keenly felt among female users. According to a survey carried out by Hunkemöller, more than a quarter (28%) of female respondents feel anxious in a gym environment, compared to just 16% of fitness enthusiasts.
But just how common is gym anxiety, and is Cardiff really one of the most female-friendly cities for gym goers? Let’s find out!
Just How Common is Gym Anxiety?
Detailed analysis of Google Search Trend data reveals that searches relating to ‘gym confidence’ are up 1,600% year-on-year, while use of the phrase ‘gym anxiety’ has also risen by a staggering 300% during the same period.
As we can see, the key takeaway here is the increased levels of anxiety among female gym goers, with just 7% of women saying that they feel totally comfortable in any gym setting.
This number was just over double the corresponding number for male gym goers (15%), with women citing a lack of knowledge pertaining to exercise and form (26%), a vague and overall sense of discomfort (26%) and the belief that they’re being stared out by others (22%) as the primary factors behind their anxiety.
Interestingly, men revealed a similar group of factors, only this demographic is much less likely to feel anxious (or at least admit to this) in a gym setting.
While physical exercise and keeping fit are also supposed to maintain optimal mental wellbeing, some one-in-10 women said that visiting a gym or public workout space actually left them feel more stressed.
A further 7% claimed to feel worse afterwards, with these findings highlighting both the prevalence and extent of gym anxiety among females in the UK.
What are the Best Cities for Female Gym Goers?
According to the study, Cardiff is the third best city in the UK for female gym goers, with one female-only gym per 49.5k women in the Welsh capital).
In fact, only Nottingham (one female-only gym per 16,466 women) and Liverpool (one per 40.6k women) are considered to be more female friendly than Cardiff by this metric, although these numbers also showcase the relative paucity of such spaces even in major UK locations.
In total, and across the 15 major UK cities analysed, there were just 73 female-only gyms (or public workout spaces with designated female zones), highlighting the lack of options for women who suffer with gym anxiety in all of its various forms.
Of course, it’s easy to see why gyms don’t establish themselves as female-only due as this cuts off half of total market demand, but the provision of female-only spaces within establishments would appear to make good commercial sense given the published findings.
What Steps Can You Take to Reduce Anxiety?
If you are forced to work out publicly in a mixed space, the good news is that there are proactive steps you can take to reduce anxiety.
Going with friends is something that may provide instant relief, as you can support one another throughout the experience. Developing a knowledge of specific exercises and equipment can also help, as this tackles one of the specific sources of anxiety before you head inside the gym.
If you find yourself really struggling with working out in a mixed public space, you may also want to consider hiring a personal trainer. This way you can work one-on-one with a trainer and in more private locations as you deem fit!
