Whilst waiting for Holby City to come on iplayer, (I can't get BBC1 on my tv for some annoying reason) I decided to read through some statistics about women in sport. (Very normal thing to do of an evening isn't it!)
In 2010 I started a sports degree with the Open University. Unfortunately I had to quit very soon after starting, as a family member got ill, but one assignment that I did complete was focussed on female participation/gender divides/resolutions. It also asked for my own personal experiences.
When you go to most sports clubs or races, the majority of members do seem to be male. Particularly in the more ''hardcore'' sports, like Triathlon/Rugby/Martial Arts. Why is this?
For a start, I think society has a lot to do with it. Sport is not seen as a feminine thing to do. Women now have such an expectation to look good, smell good, have perfect hair and make up, that a sweaty red face and a scent of eau de chlorine isn't particularly socially acceptable. I also think women worry so much about what they look like. I for one, have spent many times twisting round at every angle to see if my arse looks big in my tri suit. I also worry about my boobs- ie looking like I haven't got any, I wasn't particularly blessed in that area anyway, but a sports bra squashes what you do have to your chest so tight that you lose two sizes anyway. Then there's my hips... we won't even go there. Maybe I'm just more neurotic than some, but I do really think we worry more than men.
On that note, I am amazed at some of the things men wear. And without a scrap of self conciousness it seems.. tiny speedos.. tight tight TIGHT lycra bodysuit things that leave nothing to the imagination.. sometimes I really don't know where to look! I get all flustered and end up looking where I shouldn't and don't actually want to! (the more you say to yourself don't gawk at something, the more you do, it's human nature, so don't go branding me a perv, I know you've all done the same)
At one training session I was swimming behind a man, minding my own business, when he slowed to turn and as he pushed off from the wall his shorts were slightly too short and slightly too high, and he popped out! Not what I want in my face! I just think, we know you've got one and everything, and obviously you can't take it off and put it in your bag, but really, make sure your stuff fits!! I'm sure he didn't even realise, and swam off with it flapping about. Brings a whole new meaning to ''Free Willy''. It put me right off my bilateral breathing.
Women aren't always much better though. When I used to go to the gym, I was always fascinated by those women who appear in the smallest, tightest, most see through hotpants and crop top with full make up, hair primped and set, and don't actually do anything strenuous because they obviously can't sweat or it would all drip off!! And in the hotpants and crop top they can't bend, stretch, run, or lift, or the outfit would dissappear into whatever orifice it's closest to! What is that all about? I can't bear anything that clings too much when I'm trying to run or whatever. There is definitely a place for lycra, actually I'm quite fond of it, especially when it's all colour co-ordinated, but anything that crawls its way up my body is a no no. Comfort comes first. And another thing- those who come out of the shower and sit on the benches with no knickers on?!! Arrrrgh!! I could write a whole page about the wrong-ness of that!!
Anyway, I digress, back to what I was saying before. Then there is helmet hair. I am ashamed to say that on occasion (actually more than 'on occasion') I have driven to where I need to be rather than cycled, because I just cannot bear the thought of spending the whole day looking a mess. I don't understand it when I see people riding bikes in a suit, or a dress, or whatever they're going to be wearing that day. Cycling makes you hot. Cycling in lycra cools the body and makes you comfortable, and able to move freely. Cycling in normal, restrictive, tight clothing does not. You must sweat, and then that sweat dries, and stays on you and your clothes. Think about it. I'm telling you for your own good.
I think women also worry about their body shape changing and being perceived as ''manly''. The amount of times I've heard women say they won't do weights because they 'dontwant to look like a bloke' Physiologically impossible, unless you're slipping steroids into your shreddies!!
When I was 19, I used to cycle to work everyday. There were quite a few hills en route, and I do have a body type that puts on muscle quite easily when I exercise. My thighs were solid. And some kind soul said I looked like someone had attached Arnies legs to me. It didn't stop me cycling, but it made me think about my own perception of the female figure. I'm 5'9, broad shouldered, big hands and feet, and as I said, quite a muscular build. My brother thinks it's hilarious and calls me Xena.Or Amazonian Woman, whichever takes his fancy. But I admire strong women. Do we all have to be wallflowers waiting to be rescued in our hotpants because we shouldn't sweat? I don't think so.
Yes sometimes I do wish I were petite and tiny and cute, but I'm not, so I've learnt to love what I have. And when someone asks me to get them a tin of beans from the top shelf in the supermarket because they can't reach, (happens much more than you'd think!) I feel proud to be in the Tall Club!!
When I was at school we weren't allowed to play football, cricket, or rugby. Our choices were hockey or netball, wearing a hideous gym skirt that flashed your knickers. Who would bother, really? No wonder so many of us had ''period pain'' on a Friday afternoon.
As I grew up, I left physical activity behind, apart from cycling to work. Until I wanted to join the army, and had to train properly. When I first went in a gym, I hated it. I wouldn't go on any weights machines when men were around, because of the looks I'd get. Many gyms now accomodate this, and have a seperate womens area. Is this the answer? I'm not sure. But if it encourages women to use facilities it can only be a positive.
I don't tend to read fitness magazines that are aimed at women, because they are generally full of tips to ''shape up quick'', ''get a flat tum'', and ''lose a stone without the hard work''. They're full of crap basically. But then it also bugs me when I buy a general sports magazine and it's full of adverts and tests for male clothing, nothing for women, all the articles are from men, the letters are from men. The tri training books that keep me company in bed are all by men. At the risk of sounding like a raving feminist, which I'm not, it does need to change, and I think it is, slowly.
Sport increases self confidence, connection to others, team spirit, health, viltality, the list goes on. I'm personally so glad that I joined my Tri Club, even though I was absolutely terrified at first. Having never belonged to a club before, never run, swam or cycled more than just for fun, what on earth posessed me to pick Triathlon I don't know. (I don't do things by halves obviously) But it's the best thing I ever did.
Women need to be made to feel that sport is for all, not just those who shone at school. Everyone. Gyms shouldn't be intimidating. Women shouldn't be afraid to get involved, to run, walk, kick a ball, swim. Whatever their ages, women should feel comfortable to find something they enjoy doing, without fear or not feeling good or feminine enough. I hope we can continue to promote strong female sporting role models, Jessica Ennis, Chrissie Wellington, Victoria Pendleton, and of course the wonderful Dame Kelly, (Did I mention that I've met her?) and encourage the new generation that sport is the way forward. Let's do it for the girls!! Whoop whoop! :)
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