Move Her Mind: Closing the Gender Exercise Gap

At ASICS, we believe that the physical and mental benefits of movement are for everybody. But today, more than half of women are dropping out of exercise or stopping altogether. We know this because in 2024, we commissioned one of the largest global studies ever conducted on the gender exercise gap. The results? Women are moving less than men and face an unequal set of barriers to exercise. This disparity inspired us to launch the Move Her Mind initiative: our effort to spark conversation, create change, and empower more women to move. 

With the help of over 24,000 participants from over 40 countries, the global study affirmed that the more women move, the better they feel. Women who exercised regularly reported feeling happier, more confident, and less stressed. The research also identified the challenges that prevent women from exercising, the motivators and influencers that help, and the ways in which communities can make a difference.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we’re unpacking the key findings with Dr. Dee Dlugonski, co-author of ASICS study and a world-class researcher at the Sports Medicine Institute at the University of Kentucky.

(Q) What finding(s) from the study surprised you the most? (A) “I was really surprised by [the] differences in what women and men perceived to be exercise barriers for women. Men most often reported body insecurities and fear of harassment, whereas women most often reported time, other commitments, and cost. Only 34% of men thought lack of time was a barrier for women, compared to 75% of women.”

(Q) How often does someone need to exercise to feel the mental health benefits described in the study?

(A) “The National Physical Activity Guidelines in the United States suggest that adults should participate in 150 minutes of moderate intensity activities each week (i.e., activities that feel like a brisk walk). The good news is that every minute of movement contributes to mental and physical health benefits even if we do not reach the recommended levels and the more movement you do, the more benefits you get!”

(Q) The study notes that friends are women’s most important “exercise influencers.” What does it mean to be an exercise influencer?

(A) “In this study, we defined an influencer for participants as someone who motivated or influenced you to do exercise or sport. These could be people in your life who you look to as role models or the people who provide you with the support needed so that you can exercise or play sports.”

(Q) What advice would you give to women who are trying to re-prioritize exercise in their daily routine? 

(A)

1. “Reframe your reasons for exercising. In qualitative interviews, some women shared that they put the needs of others before their own exercise and sport participation. If this sounds like you, try reframing exercise as a way to take care of yourself so that you can take care of the important others in your life.
2. Lean into your support system. Ask for the time and support you need to accomplish your goals. Maybe you need a friend to go to the gym with you for the first time, or someone to watch your children, or words of encouragement, or a flexible work schedule...whatever it is, ask for support”
3. Focus on the immediate benefits. Pay attention to how you feel throughout the hours after you exercise. Do you have more energy? More focus? Less stress? While being active will support your long-term health, these short-term benefits will help with your motivation on a daily basis.
4. Start with small goals and celebrate success! When you are successful, you'll want to keep exercising.
5. Have fun! Find ways to move that you enjoy.”

(Q) At a community level, what are some of the steps that we can take to make exercise more accessible for women?

(A) “First, it is important to recognize that there is not one method for promoting exercise/sport that will close the gap––we need people working at every level to remove barriers that exist for girls and women. Some community ideas include creating environments that are conducive to movement: walkable, safe, affordable, [and with a] variety of opportunities.”

The next steps Starting in April, ASICS is hitting the road for the Move Her Mind Event Series. Each stop is free to attend and will feature inspiring speakers, live podcast conversations, group runs or yoga sessions, and a shared goal to get more women moving. Learn more about the event series and register to join us in a city near you!

Please note: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and does not contain or constitute medical advice or a medical opinion. Always consult with your qualified and licensed medical professional prior to beginning or modifying any diet or exercise program.