What Is Holding Back Indian Women From Achieving Their Fitness Potential?

In India, women often find themselves juggling multiple responsibilities—from managing homes to building careers and caring for family members. Amidst these demands, prioritising fitness can feel like a luxury. But maintaining physical and mental well-being isn't optional—it’s essential. Empowering Indian women to focus on their fitness is not just about building physical strength; it’s about reclaiming space, agency, and well-being in a world that constantly expects them to do it all.

According to a recent study published in The Lancet Global Health journal, nearly 50% of adults in India reported insufficient levels of physical activity in 2022. A significantly higher proportion of women (57%) were found to be insufficiently active compared to men (42%), mirroring trends across the South Asian region. This gap is deeply concerning, especially given that physical inactivity significantly raises the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and poor heart health.

Despite rising awareness around wellness, fitness is still seen as a luxury or afterthought in the lives of many Indian women. What we need today is a fitness ecosystem that acknowledges this complexity and evolves to become more inclusive, flexible, and accessible.

Understanding the Barriers Women Face

The challenges Indian women face when it comes to fitness are multi-layered:

• Safety and Comfort: Many women feel uncomfortable in traditional gyms, particularly in male-dominated environments. A staggering 77% of women report hesitating to join gyms due to concerns around safety and comfort.
  

• Rigid Models: Fixed gym locations and long-term memberships do little to support women already navigating time constraints. For the 80% of women who juggle both household responsibilities and careers, flexibility isn’t a bonus—it’s a necessity.
  

• Accessibility Gaps: Even in metropolitan cities, only 16% of women actively use gym memberships. A lack of affordable, adaptable options forces many to give up on fitness altogether.

The Role of the Fitness Industry: Steps to Break the Barriers

India’s fitness industry has the potential to play a transformative role in empowering women to prioritise their health. By creating more inclusive and supportive environments, the industry can help dismantle long-standing barriers and encourage more women to engage in regular physical activity.

• Inclusive Programmes and Classes: Introduce offerings designed specifically for women—such as women-only yoga sessions, strength training workshops, prenatal and postnatal fitness classes, to name a few. These create safe, welcoming spaces where women can build strength and confidence.
  

• Flexible Scheduling: Acknowledge women’s busy schedules by offering classes at varied times, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends. Hybrid models that combine in-person and virtual workouts also offer the flexibility many women need.
  

• Affordable and Accessible Options: Make fitness more attainable across socio-economic segments through community initiatives, cost-effective and flexible membership plans, and partnerships with corporates and government wellness programs.
  

• Personalised and Technology-Driven Solutions: Leverage technology to deliver customised routines and AI-led coaching that align with individual fitness levels, energy patterns, and time availability. This makes consistency achievable without overwhelming users.
  

• A Holistic Wellness Approach: Offer integrated services like nutrition counselling, health check-ins, and mental well-being support. Centralising these on a single platform eliminates friction and helps women stay on track.
  

• Fitness as a Driver of Economic Empowerment: Studies show that physically active individuals report higher productivity, improved mood regulation, and fewer sick days. For Indian women, this means fitness isn’t just a personal health decision; it’s directly linked to professional performance and financial independence. An active lifestyle fosters greater workforce participation, boosts self-esteem, and supports long-term economic stability.

A Cultural Shift That Begins with Everyday Stories

Empowering women to prioritise fitness isn’t just a logistical issue—it’s a cultural one. Celebrating everyday women who find time to move amidst the chaos of life creates a ripple effect. India needs more than just new gyms—it needs a mindset shift, one where women feel seen, supported, and enabled on their wellness journeys.

A decentralised, empathetic, and flexible approach is key. As India works toward a more inclusive fitness landscape, we must ensure that no woman is left behind. Because when women prioritise their health, entire communities rise with them.

By Arushi Verma, Co-founder, FITPASS. Views expressed by the author are their own.