Active women, healthy lives: Understanding barriers to women’s participation in physical activity

Active women, healthy lives: Understanding barriers to women’s participation in physical activity

November 2024

Vitality commissioned a programme of research to understand the physical activity habits of women; the perceptions and barriers to engaging more in exercise; and how we can lift these barriers to help women be more active.

This report explores the critical barriers preventing women in the UK from achieving recommended levels of physical activity and lays bare the implications of this both on the individual and wider society. By investigating the root causes of these challenges, the report aims to shed light on these obstacles and propose actionable solutions to make physical activity more accessible, empowering, and enjoyable for women at every life stage.