"I sometimes feel like I can't win!": An exploratory mixed-methods study of women's body image and experiences of exercising in gym settings.

ABSTRACT: Despite an increase in gym memberships, women are less active than men and little is known about the barriers women face when navigating gym spaces. This study explored women's body image and experiences exercising in gyms. Two-hundred and seventy-nine women (84% current gym-goers; 68.1% White) completed an online mixed-methods survey. Thematic analysis of qualitative data produced four themes and nine subthemes: (1) "Never enough" ([perceived] judgement about appearance, [perceived] judgement about performance); (2) "Often too much" (self-criticism, clothing challenges); (3) "Always on display" (harassment and safety, fighting for space, the appearance contingency); and (4) "Sometimes empowered" (empowering places, empowering self). Qualitative and quantitative data showed that women ofte

SUBMITTER: Cowley ES 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11778772 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature