New research says plus-size activewear is putting women off exercise

Listen up, Aussie designers

Scientists have uncovered a new barrier to getting fit and it’s all got to do with what plus-size women are wearing to the gym. According to their research, ill-fitting fits are leaving some too self-conscious to work out. 

Getting the motivation to exercise is a struggle for everyone and we’re all guilty of finding excuses to skip a session. But for women with larger bodies there’s another obstacle that’s getting in the way. And that’s poor quality active apparel. 

According to a new study, which looked into what's stopping plus-size women from working out, body surveillance (focusing on the body’s appearance over it’s function during physical activity) and social physique anxiety (the fear of how others perceive one’s body) are “significant predictors of women’s motivation to avoid exercise”. Which were maybe more obvious results, but the study also explored women’s satisfaction with plus-size activewear. 

As part of the research, participants – who on average were 40.5 years old – responded to prompts about how their clothing affected their emotions during physical activity and their body image, assessing both positive and negative emotions. They also completed a Body Surveillance Subscale of the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale and were asked about their discomfort in public settings and their tendency to avoid activity due to their body image concerns. 

Activewear has a big impact on our motivation to exercise, according to the new study. Image: iStock

After surveying 130 women who wore clothing in a US size 14 (which is an Australian size 18) or larger and worked out at least twice a week, researchers discovered that what they wear to the gym significantly affects their motivation to avoid exercise. 

When women are satisfied with what they are wearing, they experience greater body confidence, more positive emotional experiences, and less concerns about their appearance, according to the study which was published in the journal Sex Roles. They also feel more comfortable, happier and prouder when their clothes fit well and perform effectively during physical exercise. 

However, when women are dissatisfied with various aspects of their plus-size exercise clothing, whether it’s poorly fitting, uncomfortable or unfashionable, they feel more self-conscious, frustrated, embarrassed and out of place. This leads to high levels of body surveillance and social physique anxiety, and a desire to avoid exercise, particularly in public spaces like gyms and outdoor settings, due to how their bodies might be perceived by others.   

Wearing clothes we're comfortable and confident in goes a long way. Image: iStock

Researchers call it a “contingent relationship” between physical activity motivation and plus-size apparel, which – let’s be honest – is often lacking in availability, comfort and functionality. This means that women with larger bodies, who already face significant stigma both in broader society and within the fitness industry according to previous research, are further discouraged from working out.

According to the new study, women are made to feel that their bodies don’t belong in fitness settings, which can lead to negative psychological experiences such as body surveillance and social physique anxiety. Which can, again, hinder physical activity participation. 

With the results showing that when plus-size exercise attire is functional, comfortable and stylish, women with larger bodies are more encouraged to work out, we’re calling on designers to help boost the confidence and motivation of the nation with clothing that fits well and aligns with fashion trends to get us all up and moving more often.

Originally published as New research says plus-size activewear is putting women off exercise