why it’s important to get more women & girls active

Being active isn't just about fitness. It's about feeling confident, meeting people, trying something new and finding something you genuinely enjoy.

But for many women and girls, there are still barriers that can make getting active difficult! Whether that's a lack of confidence, not having someone to go with, accessibility, busy family life or simply not feeling comfortable in certain environments.

On the latest episode of Brio's Well Actually podcast, Charlie & Emma joined Brio Commercial Director Paula Jamieson to chat about women's fitness, physical activity, the barriers women and girls face and what we are trying to do about it!

A lifelong love of sport

Paula has been active since she was around four or five years old, playing football with her brothers from a young age and it quickly became her passion.

At just 10 years old, Paula joined a women's football team. This was around 47 years ago, when organised football for girls looked very different to today. There weren't age groups for girls in the same way there are now, so Paula found herself playing alongside women in their 20s, 30s and 40s.

For Paula, sport wasn't just about exercise. It was also about friendship, social connection and being part of a team. And that's something we can sometimes forget when we talk about physical activity. Getting active can be about so much more than improving your fitness.

Why are women and girls less active?

According to the figures discussed on the podcast, around 60% of women in Cheshire West and Chester are classed as active, compared with 71% of men.

While the borough is performing better than the national picture, there is still a clear gender gap when it comes to physical activity. So, what's stopping women and girls from getting active?

There isn't one simple answer. Confidence can be a big factor. So can finding someone to exercise with, childcare, caring responsibilities, work and simply not having enough time.

For girls, having access to the right activities and opportunities from a young age can also make a huge difference. That's why creating welcoming, inclusive opportunities for women and girls to exercise is so important.

Seeing people like you, matters

Campaigns such as This Girl Can have helped to challenge some of the unrealistic expectations around what women are supposed to look like when they're exercising.

Whether you're running in the rain, going to the gym, playing football or simply going for a walk, being active doesn't have to look a certain way.

Social media can sometimes add pressure, but it can also be a powerful way of showing people what's possible.

At Brio, we're passionate about showing real people being active - people of different ages, shapes, sizes, abilities and backgrounds. Because sometimes seeing someone who looks like you, giving something a go is all the encouragement you need to think: Maybe I could do that too.

Gym intimidation is real!

Walking into a gym for the first time can feel intimidating. You might not know how to use the equipment, worry that everyone is watching you or simply feel like you don't belong.

Brio gyms are designed to be welcoming community spaces for everyone, from those who are completely new to exercise through to experienced gym-goers.

If you need support or feel uncomfortable, speak to a member of the team. Everyone should feel safe and comfortable while you're exercising.

Paula's experience: "Girls shouldn't be playing football"

Paula’s sporting journey wasn’t always straightforward. At 15, she suffered a serious knee injury while playing football. A specialist later told her “girls shouldn’t be playing football” and advised her to stop.

Paula didn’t let that stop her. She sought a second opinion, continued playing the sport she loved and eventually went on to have several knee operations.

Her story is a reminder of how important it is for girls to have positive experiences of sport (hopefully minus the injury!) and the confidence and support to keep going when they face setbacks.

Giving girls more choice

Football might be hugely popular, but it's not for everyone and that's okay. During the podcast, Paula, Charlie and Emma discussed experiences from school and how the sports and activities on offer can sometimes shape what young people see as their options.

Being active doesn't have to mean playing football or going to the gym. It could be dancing, swimming, walking, yoga, netball, cycling, gardening or taking part in a fitness class. The important thing is finding something you enjoy.

Taking part in sport and exercise from a young age can also help develop skills that go far beyond physical fitness, including confidence, resilience, teamwork, social skills and learning how to deal with winning and losing.

You don't have to start big

If you've been inactive for a while, getting started can feel overwhelming. But you don't need to suddenly spend an hour in the gym every day.

One idea discussed on the podcast is Move for 10, a new challenge from This Girl Can encouraging women to move for 10 minutes, 10 times a month.

That could be a 10-minute walk, a quick workout at home, a dance around the kitchen or simply finding ways to add a little more movement to your day.

The idea is simple: start with 10 minutes and see where it takes you.

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Find something you enjoy

One of the biggest pieces of advice from Paula is to find something you actually enjoy!

Because if you enjoy being active, you're much more likely to stick with it. You could try a fitness class, head to the gym, go swimming, join a walking group or try a team sport such as Walking Netball.

And you don't have to do it alone. Having a friend, family member or exercise buddy alongside you can make getting active feel much easier and much more enjoyable.

Brio's teams can also help if you're not sure where to start. Whether you want help creating a fitness programme, setting goals, understanding gym equipment or simply finding an activity that suits you, there's support available.