Women derive greater benefit from exercising regularly than men, says new research

6th March 2024

The key findings from the research, which studied 412,413 adults in the United States over nearly 20 years and was published in the American College of Cardiology, included:

• Females who exercised were nearly a quarter (24%) less likely to die for any reason, in contrast with those who were physically inactive, and compared with men, who were 15% less likely to do so
• Women who worked out also enjoyed a 36% lesser risk of a lethal heart attack, stroke or similar cardiovascular event – i.e. more than a third – for their male counterparts, that figure was 14% 
• Exercising, whether moderate (e.g. brisk walking) or vigorous (spin classes, weight training), made a premature death less likely for both women and men. 
• The lesser risk of early death plateaued for men and women after five hours (300 minutes) of weekly moderate exercise or 110 minutes of a vigorous weekly workout 
• Those who did strength training saw a reduced risk of heart-related deaths of nearly a third (30%), compared to 11% for men

Not only that, but women enjoyed the same advantages of physical activity as men while exercising for less time. According to the researchers, differences in physiology and anatomy could be among the reasons behind this. 

For instance, males typically have greater lung capacity, bigger hearts, a larger volume of lean-body mass and a higher proportion of fast-twitch muscle fibres, generating a lot of power and force, compared with women. This means that females regularly make more intense effort to complete a similar level of activity to men. 

The Smidt Heart Institute’s Martha Gulati said: “Women have traditionally lagged behind men in terms of engaging in exercise. But this study shows that they can get more out of every minute of moderate-to-vigorous exercise than men.” 

Meanwhile, researcher and cardiologist Dr Susan Cheng adds: 

“Even limited, regular exercise can provide a significant benefit; and it turns out this is especially true for women. Taking time for exercise, even just 20-30 minutes a week for a vigorous workout, can offer a much greater can than you may have realised.”

How an outdoor gym can help you get fit

At Fresh Air Fitness, we thought this study was a brilliant one to highlight ahead of International Women’s Day on Friday 8th March, which celebrates equality and inclusivity plus women’s myriad achievements across history worldwide. 

Outdoor gyms provide a fantastic way to work out for free, with benefits including flexibility, convenience and year-round availability. Plus you get a full-body workout while enjoying the mood-boosting benefits of being outside and feeling a greater connection with nature. Take a look and see if there is an outdoor gym near you. 

We offer a great range of outdoor exercise equipment, for clients including councils, schools, health authorities, residential settings and others. Get in touch to learn more about how we could transform an outside space for your residents