The Hidden Barrier That's Keeping 1 in 3 Girls Out of Sport

Picture this: A young girl loves running, enjoys football, and dreams of being the next big thing in athletics. But there's one thing standing between her and her sporting dreams – the changing room door.

It sounds almost too simple to be true, but the statistics are stark: 1 in 3 girls don't participate in sports at school because of changing rooms. That's not a small problem – that's a crisis hiding in plain sight.

When Spaces Become Barriers

The Sweaty Betty Foundation's groundbreaking "Change Starts in the Changing Rooms" campaign has shone a spotlight on something many of us have long suspected but rarely addressed head-on. The very spaces designed to prepare young athletes for sport are actually preventing them from participating.

At Freyja Fit, we're passionate about creating inclusive fitness environments where every woman feels she belongs. But what happens when young girls never even get the chance to explore their athletic potential because they're too anxious about the space where they need to change into their kit?

The Real Issues Girls Are Facing

The Sweaty Betty Foundation worked with 5 schools to understand exactly what girls wanted to change about their changing rooms. The results were eye-opening:

• Privacy concerns – More individual cubicles and changing spaces

• Cleanliness and hygiene – Basic standards that make spaces feel safe

• Security – Proper lockers and secure storage

• Atmosphere – From lighting to music, creating spaces that feel welcoming

• Education – Understanding that there's no "right" way to change or participate

These aren't luxury requests – they're basic needs for creating environments where girls feel comfortable and confident.

The Ripple Effect of Change

When we think about women's participation in fitness and sport, we often focus on the end result – getting more women into gyms, onto sports teams, and embracing active lifestyles. But the Sweaty Betty Foundation's research shows us that the journey starts much earlier, in those formative school years.

The campaign's approach of "Speak. Listen. Co-create and Change" resonates deeply with Freyja Fit's philosophy. Just as we design our pretty pink barbells and pastel equipment to make weightlifting less intimidating for women, the changing room campaign recognises that sometimes the smallest environmental changes can have the biggest impact.

From School Changing Rooms to Gym Confidence

The connection between school changing room anxiety and adult gym intimidation is clear. If a girl spends her formative years feeling uncomfortable about changing for sport, is it any wonder that she might feel intimidated walking into a gym as an adult?

Research shows that 1 in 2 women skip workouts because of what they're wearing. This isn't vanity – it's the long-term impact of environments that made them feel self-conscious about their bodies and their right to take up space in sporting environments.

Creating Positive Relationships with Movement

The Sweaty Betty Foundation's campaign isn't just about changing rooms – it's about creating positive relationships with movement and with our bodies. When girls feel safe, comfortable, and heard in sporting environments, they're more likely to:

• Develop confidence in physical activity

• Maintain active lifestyles into adulthood

• View their bodies as strong and capable rather than objects to be judged

• Become advocates for other women and girls in sport

  
  

The Power of Being Heard

One of the most powerful aspects of the "Change Starts in the Changing Rooms" campaign is its commitment to actually listening to girls. Too often, adults make decisions about young people's spaces without consulting the people who actually use them.

The campaign's development into a white paper for the Department of Education shows what's possible when we take girls' voices seriously. These aren't just complaints – they're solutions waiting to be implemented.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Not every solution requires a complete rebuild. Some of the most impactful changes can be implemented quickly:

• Timing adjustments – Allowing more time to change after PE lessons

• Privacy solutions – Simple cubicle additions or curtains

• Cleanliness standards – Regular cleaning schedules and maintenance

• Atmosphere improvements – Better lighting, ventilation, and yes, even mirrors

  
  

The Mirror Debate

One particularly interesting point raised in the campaign discussions was about mirrors in changing rooms. While some schools have removed mirrors entirely, the research suggests that having mirrors can actually be beneficial for mental health and self-esteem – providing a healthier relationship with self-image than the mirrors on phones that many young people use instead. 

A Movement for Change

The Sweaty Betty Foundation's campaign is building momentum, and it's exactly the kind of grassroots change that can transform women's sport. With women's sport experiencing unprecedented growth and visibility, now is the time to address the barriers that prevent the next generation from participating.

How Freyja Fit Supports This Movement

At Freyja Fit, we're passionate about creating welcoming spaces for women in fitness. While we focus on beautiful, non-intimidating equipment for adult women, we recognise that the journey to gym confidence often starts much earlier.

Supporting campaigns like "Change Starts in the Changing Rooms" (more information here https://www.sweatybettyfoundation.org/change-starts-in-the-changing-rooms/) is about more than just changing physical spaces – it's about changing the culture around women and girls in sport. It's about recognising that every barrier we remove, no matter how small it might seem, creates opportunities for more women to discover their strength.

The Path Forward

The campaign's call to action is simple but powerful: raise awareness, drive meaningful change, and keep pushing forward. If this receives government backing and a passionate team behind it, this isn't just another awareness campaign – it's a blueprint for real, lasting change.  It doesn’t just positively impact 5 schools, it impacts all schools across the country.

As we continue to see women's sport reach new heights, let's not forget the girls who are still standing outside changing room doors, wondering if sport is really for them. Because when we change the changing rooms, we don't just change participation rates – we change lives.

Join the Movement

The "Change Starts in the Changing Rooms" campaign shows us that meaningful change happens when we listen to the people most affected by the problems we're trying to solve. Whether you're a parent, teacher, coach, or simply someone who believes in the power of sport to transform lives, there's a role for you in this movement.

Visit www.changechangingrooms.com to learn more about how you can support this vital campaign. Because every girl deserves to feel confident, comfortable, and welcome in sport – and that confidence starts with the spaces we create for them.

At Freyja Fit, we believe in empowering women at every stage of their fitness journey. From school changing rooms to home gyms, every space should welcome women to discover their strength. Follow our journey @freyjafituk and join our community of women supporting women in fitness.