Strava has released new data showing that Gen Z women (aged 18-29) in the UK are more active than their male counterparts, dedicating 11% more time to being active per week than men.
According to the new data, running proved to be one of the top activity types for this group, with women in this age bracket spending 12% more time running than men. In fact, Gen Z women in the UK were the only group globally to be more active than men of the same age, with this generation bucking the trend compared to their European counterparts.
While this is an encouraging trend towards gender equality in sports, the data from Strava’s global community of over 100 million active people also highlights that there’s still a long way to go. Women around the world face an increasing number of barriers when it comes to dedicating more time to physical activity.
Key findings include:
- On average, the global data shows women (all age groups) dedicate 15% less time to physical activity than men.
- In the UK specifically, that figure is lower, with women averaging 6% less active time than men – but across Europe the disparity is more stark. Women in Spain averaged 29% less time to physical activity than men, and the data shows 25% less for women in France and 16% less for women in Germany.
- The new insights also highlight women are far less likely than their male counterparts to dedicate time to physical activity outside of daylight hours. The global data shows women are 23% less likely to workout pre-sunrise and 8% less likely to do so post-sunset.
On International Women’s Day, Strava is celebrating women’s active lives and is working to help advance gender justice in sports by partnering with the Hot Girl Walk movement. The Hot Girl Walk is a 4-mile, outdoor walk that aims to build confidence through movement.
This March, Strava is launching a global challenge – Hot Girl Walks United – to support women to commit more time to movement. For every challenge completion on the app, Strava will donate US$4 up to $250,000 (over £200,000) to GRLS and the ONSIDE Fund – global initiatives by Women Win. These help to build leadership skills and empower girls to become better equipped to exercise their rights through sports and play.
Strava has found that women are 60% more likely to upload a walk than men. This new challenge in March will support that positive trend by encouraging more women to dedicate time to their movement.
It builds on Strava’s ‘Strive for More’ initiative, a US$1 million financial commitment over the next three years to… ‘get more women to the starting line – whether it’s in professional competition, or starting a new routine to make more time for movement.’
“Our commitment to women’s equity and inclusion in sport and empowering activity in their daily lives is fully integrated to Strava’s mission,” said Zipporah Allen, Chief Business Officer at Strava.
“Walking has emerged on Strava as one of our most popular activity types, and we see that women are 60% more likely than their male counterparts to upload a walk to Strava. This International Women’s Day, the Strava community is harnessing the power of our collective movement with Hot Girl Walk United, a challenge benefiting GRLS and the ONSIDE Fund.
“These programs are invested in the next generation of sport and play, impacting the lives of over 4 million adolescent girls and young women in over 100 countries.”
Mia Lind, Creator of the Hot Girl Walk, said “I created the Hot Girl Walk to encourage other women to get active in a way that helps their mental health – it’s not just about walking.
“The Hot Girl Walk is about building self-confidence, mindfulness, and community. I’m excited for Strava’s community to join the Hot Girl Walk movement and support these important charities.”
Nicole Matuska, director of GRLS and the ONSIDE Fund, said “For girls, women and non-binary people, sport is a powerful tool to challenge gender norms and stereotypes, regain ownership of their bodies, experience joy, freedom and pleasure, and rebuild their lives after trauma.
“GRLS’ mission is to advance the playing field that progresses gender equity in sports and through play. We create spaces and opportunities for girls and women to lead. And at the systemic level, we aim to dismantle traditional power dynamics through feminist, decolonised and democratic practices.”
