Diversity in the workplace - not only in the public perception, but also in companies, the topic is moving more and more into the foreground. This is a positive development, but there is still work to be done to achieve equality for women. The fitness industry also has some catching up to do, as an online survey by the Sport Alliance and Women in Fitness Association (WIFA) makes clear.
The Sport Alliance and the Women in Fitness Association (WIFA) have teamed up to draw attention to the issue of gender equality in the fitness industry. To that end, a global online survey was conducted between September 2021 and March 2022, with a total of 679 fitness industry workers participating.
The survey data is not representative of the industry. Nevertheless, the results provide interesting insights into the structures of the industry.
Role distribution in the fitness industry
Especially in leadership roles, one sees a large percentage difference between women and men. 47% of men employed in a company in the fitness industry are in a leadership role. For women, that number is 11% less. In the context of self-employment, men account for 70% of gym owners. For women, however, that number is only 29%.
"These data show the trend that men are more likely to be in leadership roles in companies than women. Among the self-employed, most women are trainers rather than running their own businesses."
Maike Kumstel, International Business Developer at Sport Alliance
Leadership positions harder to come by for women
Respondents cited feeling underappreciated and disrespected, as well as having few opportunities for advancement, as the main reasons why it was more difficult for them to achieve their career goals. The fact that it is difficult to balance family and career was also cited by women as a major obstacle.
Of the women who hold management positions, 27% said that their path to a management position was more difficult because of their gender. In contrast, only 7% of men cited this as a reason.
Female executives believe that the gender imbalance in the workplace leads to fewer opportunities for advancement, gender discrimination and lower pay for women.
"As non-executives, men and women face similar obstacles in their career paths. But as you climb the career ladder, the gender gap becomes more pronounced, with women losing out. Being a boss in 2022 is unfortunately still a male domain."
Artur Jagiello, Head of Marketing & Communications at Sport Alliance
Men have a different perception
When asked about gender bias in their company, 82% of men responded that there is none. For women, the figure is 64%. 19% of women said they could not say for sure if there was a gender bias.
Regarding whether an equal gender distribution in leadership positions in their workplace is important to them, 59% of women answered that it is. By comparison, only 35% of men held the same opinion.
Source and image source: BODYMEDIA
Published on: 25 August 2022