This entry was posted on Tuesday, January 13th, 2015at 1:47 pm by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Check Out The Video That’s Inspiring Women Across The UK To Get Active!

Have you seen the This Girl Can video that is empowering thousands of women across the country to take part in regular sport and exercise and tackle their fears of being judged?

Using real women as inspiration it is hoped the campaign will address the shocking findings by Sport England that 2million fewer women than men take part in sport and regularly exercise across the UK.

Concerns over appearance, ability and whether they will, as mothers, be judged for putting themselves first, are the main reasons that deter women from living healthier lifestyles.

Last year, Sport England found that of the 9.4 million women aged 14 to 40 in the UK, 75 per cent (7.1 million) would like to be more active.

The study has prompted the This Girl Can campaign to celebrate and empower women.

Sport England hopes this will inspire a ‘moment of realisation’ in women when ‘they recognise that they are not alone’ and encourage them to get active, either by joining local clubs, gyms, exercising in their own homes or just by moving more.

The This Girl Can campaign focuses on real women, after researchers found that elite sportswomen and celebrities were seen as off-putting and unattainable.

It aims to create a sense of solidarity, encouraging women to face their fears about sport by talking to female friends and relatives.

The TV advert features 40 real women taking part in sport in a way that fits around their lives. The activities shown include Zumba, netball, tennis, swimming, jogging and exercising at home – with one mum doing sit-ups alongside her young children.

Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England, said: “Women do less sport and exercise than men, but most say they would like to do more.

“So we had to get to the bottom of what’s holding them back.

“We found out by talking to women of all ages up and down the country that what’s stopping them is fear, fear of judgement: whether that’s about how they look, whether they’re any good at it, or feeling guilty about spending time on themselves.

“Whichever way you slice it, women’s fear of judgement is sapping their confidence.

“This Girl Can is a celebration of all the women who are finding the confidence to exercise: it’s an attitude, and a call to action for all women to do the same.”

Feeling Inspired? Why not sign up to receive a FREE 3 day guest pass for your nearest Active Nation venue and prove that you can too? Feel free to share this with all of your friends and family: www.activenation.org.uk/just-try-it