Fitness is funny if you think about it. Why is it so good for your body but so hard to do?
Surely if it were so good for my body, I'd gain some sort of pleasure out of it other than feeling like my muscles are being chewed on by endless microscopic gremlins inside my body. What's amazing is that there are so many kinds of activities that help you stay fit but they all require your body to move in odd ways and it's just absolutely embarrassing, isn't it?
Wrong!
Fitness isn’t embarrassing. Nor does it exist as punishment for not looking the way you feel like you should. It took me a long time to realise that staying fit doesn't concern anybody other than yourself. After all, it is your body. Unfortunately, exercising for women has never been easy. We're either sexualised, insulted, underestimated or masculinised.
Thus, This Girl Can campaign, is everything a woman needs to battle the outside negativity surrounding women's fitness and perhaps her own.
Kingston Students’ Union's Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Sakshi Pandit, expresses the importance of This Girl Can's involvement with Kingston University: "It’s more about creating an environment for female students to feel safe and inclusive when it comes to sports."
Being a university student and trying to juggle endless assignments, work, financial spending, and adulting while still in disbelief about being an actual adult can become incredibly exhausting. Hormones fluctuate constantly, and the unspoken constant need to look better becomes more pronounced. This leads to an unhealthy relationship with exercise, whether you do it or not.
What if I told you there is a campaign dedicated to women's inclusivity within sport regardless of their shape, size, colour, background and abilities? And what if I tell you that This Girl Can, has been hosting FREE sports events since 2015 at Kingston University for female students and staff, allowing us girls to have fun and connect whilst doing the thing we all might be scared of?
From Monday the 17th of February to Thursday the 27th, free sports activities such as salsa dancing, yoga, swimming and much more are being held at Kingston University in honour of This Girl Can, and this girl writing will be going to at least one of them. I mean come on, free salsa dance classes? I've been wanting to do that forever and now I have the perfect opportunity!
Annabel, CEO of Kingston Students’ Union shares that,
“Gender inequalities in sport and physical activity have existed for decades. Many women are unaware and unable to enjoy the benefits of exercise due to barriers that include societal stereotypes, activity options available, caring responsibilities and confidence. Our initiatives at KSU are designed to fight this inequality by helping our female students find an activity that they enjoy, for free, in a safe environment, with the hope that they will then continue regularly.
It is important for women to stay active and get into the routine of doing some sort of physical activity, helping set healthy habits for life. As women, activity is incredibly beneficial to us, not only is it an excellent way of maintaining good mental health, it can also support reproductive health, maintain bone and joint strength and is a great way to make friends and build community”.
Nicole, Senior Sports Development Coordinator at Kingston Students' Union highlights her experience with Sports...
“I've always loved sports, not just for the competition but for the way it makes me feel. Physical activity isn't just about staying fit; it clears my mind, boosts my mood and gives me a sense of purpose. It's a mix of physical strength and mental clarity that inspires me to keep going, no matter what. As someone who has always loved sports, I know firsthand how empowering physical activity can be - not just for physical health but for confidence and mental well-being too. This Girl Can campaign helps to break down barriers, challenges stereotypes, and inspires more women to enjoy the benefits of movement, reminding us all that sport is for everyone, no matter their ability or appearance. It's about feeling strong, capable, and proud of what our bodies can do”.
In my humble opinion, the campaign allows us to remind ourselves that being a woman isn't as difficult as society wants us to think it is. Sports are fun and This Girl Can allow an environment for us girls to thrive. Your Union brings a wonderful opportunity for female students and staff to enjoy a sporting activity of their choice for free because they believe that everyone deserves to feel welcomed and comfortable when staying fit.
Discover all events on the KSU website (Events calendar) and unleash your potential through This Girl Can!