CAMPAIGN TO GET WOMEN SWEATING IN THE CITY

In a bid to get London’s ladies doing more sport and physical activity, the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) yesterday launched ‘Sweat In The City’, offering three months of free exercise to 3,000 women aged between 16-24.

In conjunction with the Fitness Industry Association (FIA), Sweat In The City offers 12 weeks of free gym membership between 29th September to 21st December, with group exercise sessions and access to online advice and encouragement from a Sweat In The City mentor.

Research from the WSFF’s ‘It’s Time’ report found that 81 per cent of young women don’t do enough physical activity to benefit their health, and are half as active has men the same age. Reasons for not exercising include being put off for life from PE lessons at school (23 per cent) and not having someone to exercise with (64 per cent).

The WSFF and the FIA hope to use feedback from those who sign up to the scheme to determine ways to entice more young women into exercise and physical activity.

‘The scheme will provide us with a unique way to speak to women and understand better how to inspire them to become and stay active,’ said WSFF Chief Executive Sue Tibballs. ‘With British female athletes doing so well in Beijing and our attention turning to 2012, we hope women from across London will feel inspired to take part.’

Andree Dean, chief executive of the FIA said that it was essential to understand how to motivate young women into exercising.

‘Inactivity in girls and young women can have a profound impact on their psychological we well as physical well being.

‘As a nation, we have to better understand the drivers and the hurdles girls and young women face if we are to excite them, motivate them and sustain their desire to lead more active and healthy lifestyles.’

Women aged 16-24 can register for their free place at www.sweatinthecity.co.uk.