Teenage Girls and Gyms....

As a gym owner, I often hear about women, especially teenage girls, who are afraid to enter gyms and nervous about lifting weights!

We all understand that gyms and weight areas can be daunting for anyone, regardless of gender or age. But how can we dispel the stereotype that free weight rooms and gym floors are dominated by men in string vests, fueled by steroids, who are loudly throwing dumbbells around?

I would love to see young, confident women lifting with perfect form, demonstrating to their male peers how to deadlift, perform Olympic lifts, and squat, rather than focusing on bicep curls and bench press one-rep max contests, which is often what YouTube promotes.

The three main barriers I believe teenage girls face when it comes to gyms are:

1. Confidence/anxiety - As mentioned, gyms can be intimidating places with large, heavy machines, not to mention the men! This is without the perception that every member will be in peak physical condition.

   
   

2. Knowledge - Teenagers typically don't have the extra money to spend on Personal Training sessions, online coaches, or mentors. This leaves them relying on social media and YouTube for learning. While the internet can provide some guidance, eventually, they need to try things out in real life!

   
   

3. Lack of relatable role models - If the gym floor isn't filled with confident teens, how can we expect to foster a new community of talent? Someone needs to start the movement.

So what can we do?

At Ultra Gym, I am fortunate to have a 17-year-old young woman who loves lifting weights and Olympic lifting and dreams of becoming a Personal Trainer. I believe her focus should be on teenage girls, offering group sessions on weight-based techniques.

I think this approach is beneficial for several reasons:

Firstly, group sessions provide strength in numbers, allowing participants to enter the gym together and support each other in overcoming the anxieties mentioned, forming a strong and powerful group.

Secondly, group sessions are more affordable for teenagers. Charging £5-10 per week (depending on the coach's experience) for a one-hour session is a reasonable cost for a teenager, while still allowing the trainer to earn a fair hourly rate based on attendance.

Thirdly, the relatability factor is key; teenage girls coaching other teenage girls creates a more comfortable and approachable environment than a middle-aged bodybuilder teaching 14-year-old girls how to bench press.

Would you be interested?

• YES
• NO

Let's empower more self-confident, athletic teenage girls.

Gareth Potts

Ultra Gym, Wakefield.