The Sports Desk

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Unique insight into the biggest sports news stories and the human issues behind them.

BBC Sport's Sarah Mulkerrins, Dan Roan and Nesta McGregor and their guests take you behind the headlines and tell you what's really going on.

Unique insight into the biggest sports news stories and the human issues behind them.

BBC Sport's Sarah Mulkerrins, Dan Roan and Nesta McGregor and their guests take you behind the headlines and tell you what's really going on.

The Sports Desk: Women's Sport Matters: Exercise Me, Influence Me

Exercise Me, Influence Me

Women's Sport Matters

BBC Radio 5 Live - The Sports Desk, Women's Sport Matters, Exercise Me, Influence Me

Motivation, embarrassment, safety? What might stop women from exercising regularly?

Motivation, embarrassment, safety? In this episode we look at what might stop women from exercising and how to encourage healthy habits.

Note: This episode contains issues surrounding mental health. If you, or someone you know, have been affected by any issues raised in this podcast, support and information is available at BBC Action Line.

Even the most active of us know how tough it can be to even slide a toe out of bed on a cold morning, never mind put our kit on to go for a run or get to the gym. Perhaps it can be a little intimidating too? If you’re running alone you want to feel safe and comfortable. If you’re working out in the gym, you might not want to be in a weights section dominated by men. Perhaps you’re menopausal or coming back from pregnancy and don’t want to be surrounded by lots of other people while you sweat away.

Of course this isn’t the case for everyone, but it’s just some of the reasons why women might falter when trying to create healthy habits in an active lifestyle.

Plus with so many online platforms and influencers to turn to in the world of health and fitness, how do you know what’s right for you?

In this episode of Women’s Sport Matters, Katie Smith goes to Muscle Works, a body-building gym in Orpington to look at why and how we exercise.

Katie’s joined by Kat Merchant, England World Cup winning rugby union star, now turned online trainer, who tells us how she helps clients find confidence in whatever activity they enjoy, and how she’s overcome online trolls commenting on her body.

Sabrina Pace-Humphreys helped to set up the charity Black Trail Runners following the pandemic, creating a safe community for black people to learn about and enjoy the beauty of trail running in this country. She reveals her battles against rural racism, alcoholism and depression and tells us how running saved her life.

Meanwhile Doctor Candice Lingam-Willgoss, senior lecturer in sport and fitness at the Open University, gives insight into how and why we may find creating routine and exercise habits difficult. Plus BBC Sport’s Becky Grey details the safety issues that many elite and recreational runners feel when out running alone.

We also hear from online fitness influencer Alexia Clark who has over two million followers on social media. We discuss the benefits and pitfalls of influencers online.

Panel: Kat Merchant, Sabrina Pace-Humphreys, Candice Lingam-Willgoss, Becky Grey, Alexia Clark

Producer: Jonathan McKeith

The Sports Desk: Women's Sport Matters

The UK’s home of live news and live sport.

The UK’s home of live news and live sport. With live Premier League and FA Cup football, and Formula 1, Olympics and cricket coverage.

If women's sport matters then let's discuss the matters unique to women's sport.

Women's sport is growing faster than ever before. In this special series we explore some of the unique aspects to female performance that get forgotten about.

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