Assessing Gym Intimidation in Female College Students: Understanding This as a Barrier to Physical Activity and Exercise

Background: Women enrolled in college participate in less physical activity and exercise, specifically resistance training, than men. Aim: This study measured gym intimidation and assessed factors that may influence intimidation levels in female college students. Methods: A survey was emailed to female college students at a large, public university in the southeastern United States. Class standing, academic college, major, gym frequency, gym equipment used, and sports participation were assessed. Gym intimidation was measured using the Social Exercise and Anxiety Measure (SEAM) subscales: social exercise self-efficacy (SES: assesses confidence in the ability to exercise in various environments), gym avoidance (GA: assesses gym avoidant behavior), and exercise importance (EI: assesses priority of exercise). Pearson’s correlations and ANOVAs identified significant relationships. Results: Participants included 357 students. Pearson’s correlations revealed a relationship (p < 0.01) between frequency of gym attendance and all SEAM questions. Mean subscale scores showed moderate gym intimidation: SES (347.41 + 103.17) of a possible 500; GA (15.68 + 7.66) of 28; EI (15.24 + 3.75) of 21. Freshmen (13.55 + 7.94) showed significantly higher gym avoidance than sophomores (16.589 + 782), F (3,353) = 3.18, p = 0.007. Conclusions: Gym intimidation is prevalent among female college students and is a barrier to exercise participation. Combatting intimidation is critical to this population’s health.