GPs are to begin prescribing “judgment-free” fitness classes for women seeking help with conditions including diabetes and depression.
Designed by Sport England, This Girl Can classes will be launched across the country early next year, drawing on the success of its award-winning campaign of the same name.
This Girl Can was launched in 2015 after research showed women wanted to be more active but were held back by fear of being judged. In five years it helped more than 500,000 women and girls to become more physically active.
But while things improved, research commissioned by Sport England found more than half of women continued to say they were prevented from exercising, at least occasionally, by worries about what others think.
Drawing on disciplines including boxing, dancing and yoga, the lower-intensity sessions are designed to be inclusive and appealing to women who are intimidated by the idea of group exercise or have had negative experiences previously, with attendees encouraged to “do your worst”.
Doctors will be encouraged to refer patients to the classes as part of…
