Gender Exercise Gap: Why women exercise less than men

Gender Exercise Gap
Why women train less than men

Some people regularly Some people do sport, others don’t. And although exercise and training are important for health, many people find it difficult to start. At the same time, social media is full of fitness hacks: there are workout videos, training plans and nutrition tips everywhere. This can be overwhelming and sometimes leads to women in particular doing less sport than men. This phenomenon is called the gender exercise gap.

According to ASICS’ 2023 State of Mind study Men are significantly more active than women. According to the study, women worldwide exercise an average of 40 minutes less per week than men. In an international comparison, Germany ranks 9th out of 16 countries examined with a “State of Mind” score of 63 out of 100 points, which summarizes the exercise behavior of both sexes.

According to the report, one of the main reasons why women do little or no sport is other commitments: 77 percent of the women surveyed said this was an obstacle. Lack of time is a problem for 74 percent of women. Financial aspects also play a role: 53 percent said that the costs of trainers and the like prevent them from doing sport.

For mothers, the challenge is even greater. Almost two-thirds of mothers surveyed worldwide cited motherhood as the main reason why they are unable to exercise regularly.

Social media and psychological barriers

The fitness culture on social media also often conveys a distorted image of athleticism. Ideal images on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram or TikTok can encourage women, but they can also have the opposite effect. According to ASICS, 37 percent of women said that this made them feel unfit or not athletic enough to do any sport at all. A lack of self-confidence stops 31 percent from doing so. 33 percent are afraid of being judged. For another 28 percent, an unsafe or intimidating environment is an obstacle.

Overcoming the Gender Exercise Gap

However, the study also shows that sport is not only important for physical health, but also for mental health: the more you move, the better you feel. Physical activity releases endorphins, which lift your mood and create a feeling of satisfaction. Sporting successes, however small, can therefore strengthen self-confidence and improve quality of life in the long term.

Tips for more exercise in everyday life

Step by step: It’s better to start with short and manageable training sessions. Any movement is better than none.

Create time slots: Integrate more exercise into your daily routine, for example by taking a walk during your lunch break. Instead of the elevator, you can also use the stairs to do additional steps.

Cost-effective alternatives: Take advantage of free courses or local community opportunities nearby.

Realistic goals: Set achievable and small goals to celebrate many successes quickly. This keeps you motivated.

Social support: A sports partner or group can help with motivation.

Stay positive: Focus on your own progress and avoid comparisons with others.

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