Embarrassed mums ‘preventing kids from learning to swim’
POSTED 27 Jul 2016 . BY Tom Walker
More than a third (38 per cent) of mums are worried their children aren't strong swimmers
More than half of British mothers have been put off teaching their own child to swim – due to a fear of being seen in a bathing suit.
The lack of body confidence among British mums – and the resulting reluctance to hit the pool – is having a potentially disastrous effect on the swimming ability of the next generation, with 38 per cent of mums admitting that their child couldn’t be described as a ‘strong swimmer’.
The figures come from a new report by leisure centre operator Everyone Active, which surveyed 1,000 mothers across the UK.
Other findings from the report include that a quarter (27 percent) of mums said they can’t remember the last time they went for a swim.
Double Olympic champion swimmer Becky Adlington – a long-time advocate of family swimming – said: “It is such a shame seeing these statistics.
“As a woman I understand it, but more definitely needs to be done to help and encourage women to feel more confident. Swimming is an amazing sport with so many health benefits and for kids it's even more important with it being a life skill.”
A potential remedy could be women-only swimming sessions. One of these female-only programmes is currently being trialled by Everyone Active, as part of efforts to encourage women and mothers to feel more comfortable and confident while swimming.
Jacqui Tillman, group swim manager for Everyone Active, said: “In an age obsessed with body perfection, we actively support and encourage the celebration of women of all body shapes and welcome them to our women only swim sessions if they feel more comfortable surrounded by other women, and can attend in whatever they feel happy swimming in.”
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle
Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at
the 16th World Firefighters Games.
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
Embarrassed mums ‘preventing kids from learning to swim’
POSTED 27 Jul 2016 . BY Tom Walker
More than a third (38 per cent) of mums are worried their children aren't strong swimmers
More than half of British mothers have been put off teaching their own child to swim – due to a fear of being seen in a bathing suit.
The lack of body confidence among British mums – and the resulting reluctance to hit the pool – is having a potentially disastrous effect on the swimming ability of the next generation, with 38 per cent of mums admitting that their child couldn’t be described as a ‘strong swimmer’.
The figures come from a new report by leisure centre operator Everyone Active, which surveyed 1,000 mothers across the UK.
Other findings from the report include that a quarter (27 percent) of mums said they can’t remember the last time they went for a swim.
Double Olympic champion swimmer Becky Adlington – a long-time advocate of family swimming – said: “It is such a shame seeing these statistics.
“As a woman I understand it, but more definitely needs to be done to help and encourage women to feel more confident. Swimming is an amazing sport with so many health benefits and for kids it's even more important with it being a life skill.”
A potential remedy could be women-only swimming sessions. One of these female-only programmes is currently being trialled by Everyone Active, as part of efforts to encourage women and mothers to feel more comfortable and confident while swimming.
Jacqui Tillman, group swim manager for Everyone Active, said: “In an age obsessed with body perfection, we actively support and encourage the celebration of women of all body shapes and welcome them to our women only swim sessions if they feel more comfortable surrounded by other women, and can attend in whatever they feel happy swimming in.”
Italian Exhibition Group – the organiser behind industry events Dubai Active and Dubai Muscle
Show – has been appointed to deliver the Health and Wellness Expo and Fire and Safety Expo at
the 16th World Firefighters Games.
It’s been five years since the fitness industry reopened after the last lockdown – long enough
to look back on the impact the pandemic had on the sector and what might come next.
Wattbike has announced a new integration with EGYM, which enables the bikes to contribute to
the Cardio BioAge score of individuals via a VO2 max result.
Les Mills has launched a reformer Pilates workout. The 45-minute workout blends traditional
reformer movements and more contemporary exercises, choreographed to music.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
