Claim Your Space

An article written by your Vice President Activities, Sophie, on her journey to campaigning for the new inclusive gym space currently being offered at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre!

STFSC will be offering an inclusive gym space for women, those who identify as women and the non-binary community every Thursday in October from 10am – 2pm.

A few years ago, there was a proposal on the Students’ Union website for a women-only gym space. As a woman, I often feel uncomfortable in gyms dominated by men, finding myself retreating to a corner to work out. Although many people are focused on their own routines, there's a lingering stigma around gyms being male-dominated spaces. This realisation, along with my own experiences, inspired me to launch the ‘Inclusive Gym Campaign’. The goal is to create a safe space for everyone, regardless of gender, size, or ability.

The goal of my inclusive gym campaign is to encourage marginalised groups to stay healthy and feel safe while doing so. Gyms can be uncomfortable for some people, with many reports indicating that over 50% of women have experienced harassment there, including staring, following, or even inappropriate touching. It's not just women facing these issues; LGBTQ+ and Trans* communities, people without the typical 'gym body,' and others who might be seen as easy targets also experience this. We need to change this.

By advocating for an inclusive gym space, we're making it possible for people who have felt too scared or worried in the past to exercise in a safe environment. Even if you've never felt harassed or embarrassed, supporting this cause helps those who have been excluded feel comfortable and welcome.

Physical and mental health are closely linked. Struggles with physical health can negatively impact mental well-being, while regular exercise can boost mood through increased endorphins. This is especially important for marginalised communities, who are often at a higher risk of mental health issues. As a Widening Participation university, the University of Central Lancashire aims to provide equal opportunities for all students, including access to a safe and inclusive gym space. Unfortunately, even with a gym that strives to be inclusive, harassment still occurs, making it difficult for everyone to feel safe.

I understand that some religious beliefs may prevent women from exercising in mixed-gender spaces. To address this, I plan to partner with the university to offer women-only gym times and fitness classes. These sessions will provide a safe and comfortable environment for women from all backgrounds to work out, enjoy themselves, and maintain their health.

UCLan is fortunate to have its own sports centre, which is open to students and staff. It should be a place where everyone feels safe and supported. To kick off the campaign, I conducted a survey asking students for their opinions on the sports centre, including any improvements they'd like to see. This survey was open to everyone, not just gym-goers, and allowed anonymous feedback. One common request, particularly from female respondents, was for a women's gym space or a more generally inclusive environment where they could work out comfortably.

It's crucial to foster a positive culture in such an intimate setting where people are vulnerable and focused on self-improvement. No one should feel watched or uncomfortable just for trying to stay healthy. This is why I'm committed to creating a safe space for marginalised communities and students with physical health challenges that may prevent them from working out alone. 

Throughout the year, I'll be collaborating closely with the university's sports team to continually improve our gym space, ensuring it remains inclusive and welcoming. Our goal is to encourage students who might not usually go to the gym to start, as staying active is essential for student life. Physical activity not only boosts academic performance but also promotes positive well-being, providing a healthy outlet for stress amidst the pressures of assignments and deadlines. Additionally, I aim to foster positive growth with the sports team, working together to better understand and meet students' fitness needs.

Throughout this campaign, I have been lobbying the university to offer women’s only times in the fitness suite at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre. I am so excited to finally say that this is happening! Every Thursday from 10am to 2pm the fitness suite will be open only to those who identify as a woman or non-binary. This is the first step towards a more inclusive space that has something for everyone, and I won’t stop here. I am working on getting Bollywood dance classes, and opportunities for disabled students, as well as more culturally inclusive classes throughout the year to include our international student population. 

If you do have any suggestions or think of something you would like to see at Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, please send me an email at SUActivities@uclan.ac.uk