When it comes to health and fitness, women are dangerously under-served and over-marketed. We are routinely under-educated about our own bodies, yet often over-looked by professionals and over-scrutinized by society. The health and fitness industry is failing women... and I'm hell bent on doing something about it.
After nearly a decade working as both a group fitness instructor and a personal trainer, I've seen the dark side of the booming fitness industry. I've seen first hand the manipulative marketing tactics used in corporate fitness as well as the incredible lack of safety and proper education in the industry as a whole. Here are just a handful of the insane statists surrounding women in the health and fitness industry.
Up to 75% of those who hire a health, fitness or nutrition professional are women...
Yet there is practically ZERO women-specific education given to health and fitness professionals in collegiate and certification courses.
When obtaining my Personal Training Certification, there was barely more than a paragraph dedicated to pregnant women, and absolutely nothing mentioned about the differences in our body's physical needs vs. that of men. And there sure as hell wasn't any discussion or mentioning over periods or menopause!
Up to 81% of women report being dissatisfied with the way their body looks...
Yet the double standards women receive about their bodies are NEVER-ENDING.
Be thin, but not too skinny.
Be toned, but not too muscular.
Be curvy and womanly, but not too fat.
Be confident, but not too conceited.
Be beautiful, but don't try too hard.
Be sexy, but not too slutty.
It's all honestly enough to drive anyone crazy. How can women even navigate through what's real and what isn't in the world of health and fitness when there's always so many conflicting ideas thrown at us?
Up to 85% of women opt out of important life events because they don't even LIKE their bodies...
In my time as a trainer, the amount of women (of ALL ages) I've worked with who have nothing but negative things to say about their bodies is beyond heart-breaking.
But what does the health and fitness industry do? They reinforce these negative body images. Even worse, they CAPITALIZE on them with gimmicks and scams like:
"Detox" powders and drinks
Juice cleanses (I myself once fell victim to the candida scare-tactics)
Restrictive diets that only instill more shame and fear-mongering
"Skinny" teas and celery juice (come on, CELERY?)
Fat burners and other powdered caffeine stimulants masquerading as quick fixes
And freaking waist trainers (y'all, don't even get me STARTED with those)
Up to 85% of women will have a baby at some point in their lives...
Yet women are desperately under-served with minimal education about their pelvic floor health, their menstrual cycles, hormonal issues and even the importance of specialized pre & postnatal training.
The "bounce back after baby" pressure is just more toxic spewing. It sets unrealistic and downright dangerous behaviours for women... all because of bullshit societal standards and pressures. There's no guidance, no education, no prevention... just fear and shame and (you guessed it) more marketing gimmicks.
Up to 50% of women (aged 18-83) experience leaking urine (stress urinary incontinence) during exercise...
Yet women are often too embarrassed or ashamed to even bring up the issue with healthcare professionals. According to some studies, a whopping 95% of women will NEVER even seek help!
Peeing when you jump, or cough, or laugh has just become a "silly joke" women like to whisper with one another. But it doesn't have to be an eventuality. These issues can be treated, mitigated and/or even PREVENTED through proper coaching and guidance.
Up to 19% of women will undergo surgery for pelvic organ prolapse or incontinence...
Yet incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse can often be treated with the guidance of a pelvic health physiotherapist... EXCEPT MOST WOMEN DON'T EVEN KNOW THAT THIS IS A POSSIBILITY.
The health and fitness industry is failing women... and this madness needs to end.
WOMEN DESERVE BETTER.