Boosting awareness of strength training among women could be the key to growing gym membership, says a new study from fitness equipment manufacturer, Precor.

Precor argues that increasing women’s awareness of the benefits of strength training, such as improved workout results and calorie burn, could entice more women to join and stay members.

Research from IHRSA show that female gym goers favour group exercise, with only 47 per cent making use of weights.

Precor’s poll of 500 women found women have negative perceptions of weights. Reasons given for not participating were: preferring cardio workouts, not wanting to look like a bodybuilder, considering it boring, not knowing how to use the equipment and lack of time.

Precor UK’s marketing manager, Jonathan Griffiths, says many of these barriers could be overcome with better in-club education. He suggests clubs offering on the spot guidance, regular drop in workshops, small group sessions and discounted rates on personal training.

“Gyms should make strength training easier to fit into women’s gym schedules, for example through custom workouts and instructor-led classes,” he says.

Poster campaigns featuring real-life success stories, demonstration videos, instruction placards and reward programmes would also be helpful according to Griffiths.

The research comes just days after Sports Minister Helen Grant said women should be offered a wider choice of sports to increase the number of women carrying out physical activity.