Many women still find gyms “intimidating” because they are seen as being dominated by men, according to a personal trainer who dated One Direction singer Liam Payne.
Danielle Peazer, 30, met the star while working as a dancer on The X Factor and has also danced professionally with Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minogue. She said: “I think stereotypically gyms are seen as male-dominated spaces — just men lifting weights. [Some women think] the gym is intimidating and women don’t belong. There has been a bit of a shift, but I think women still have a lot of insecurities about the gym. They don’t want to be stared at or judged or show off their body. So they shy away.”
Data from Sport England found that women are less likely than men to do at least 150 minutes of exercise per week.
Peazer said group classes were “a great way to get to the gym for people who are nervous”. She has a new online workout series with DW Fitness First and Reebok.
