It’s all about how you feel – you need to feel safe to exercise without someone making a comment about how you look or how you’re performing,” says Campbell. “We need to create self-affirming environments, where women feel accepted and able to fit in. You need to feel that what you’re doing is normal and a good thing to do.”
Physical safety concerns and practical issues such as cost, travel, childcare and space issues are very obvious barriers, while emotional issues are less visible – but still just as real.
“Some women have the means to access these activities, but they feel bad about spending money or time on themselves,” says Campbell. “That needs to change.