Why are women afraid to exercise outside?

While I wouldn’t always admit to loving running, I’ve been a runner since the sixth grade. I ran cross country for seven years and last spring I ran a half marathon in Nashville with my best friend. Running has always been my go-to exercise routine because it’s mindless in many ways – you don’t have to think it all out, you just go. Plus you can’t beat that natural runner’s high.

However, after all those years running I realized it’s not always easy – and I’m not just talking about the physical exertion aspect. Running as a woman is scary. The news is filled with horror stories about robberies, assaults, rapes, kidnappings, and murders.

If you run on a road you risk being too close to cars that could hit you or carry people who would harm you. If you run on trails you’re isolated and away from people if you were to need help. Of course, every time you exercise outside you’re not in danger but the threat alone is something women have to be a lot more conscious of than men.

24 percent of women don’t run outside because of a fear of sexual assault. This statistic may only be part of the reason that 22 million women attend gyms regularly, but that is a quarter of active women. And even the women who do choose to exercise outside are still aware of the many threats that face them, myself included.  

Why would I keep choosing to run outside if it’s dangerous? Other than the fact that walking in a gym parking lot is just as dangerous for a woman, I enjoy exercising in the fresh air. Especially when training for longer runs like I had to do for cross country and the half marathon, being in a moving scenery with changing tracks keeps me entertained and more prepared for the races. Going to run five miles standing in one position staring at one wall or window sounds like a recipe for me cutting my exercise routine short that day. The outdoors keep me entertained and motivated. Not to mention that there is a 50 percent greater positive effect on mental health when running outside than when running in a gym.

I feel like as a female runner I am in a lose-lose situation. Working out at the gym doesn’t prepare me the way I need and it doesn’t give me the benefits of running that I like best; however, running outside has so many stipulations that it’s practically impossible for outside exercise to be safe.

You have to run without headphones, against traffic, wear tight and bright clothing, have your hair in a bun, carry pepper spray, carry an ID, with a buddy, in daylight, with people around, etc. etc. etc. I find it hard to believe that if a man wants to go for a run on a workday he has to debate whether he can get a run and shower in between sunrise and work or if he can get home and finish before twilight. I tend to chose after work because there are more people out and about than early morning, but even then I’m rushing to beat the light and I still feel uncomfortable running alone.

It was practically impossible to train for the half marathon “safely” considering at times I had to carve out two hours for a run around the Nashville streets. The stipulations are ridiculous for a woman to even be able to exercise out in the open even if that’s her preference. Why should I have to chose between not getting attacked or enjoying my workout?

Don’t get me wrong, I think all runners face significant threats when exercising outside and the first step in preventing said threats is being educated and prepared. However, it’s absolutely ridiculous to me that women have to even consider all of the above before going for a run in today’s society and I’m frankly annoyed that it could compromise my ability to stay fit in an enjoyable way or to compete at a prepared level in a race.

That being said, better safe than sorry always. Please take precautions if you chose to exercise outside, but even more so, be aware as a human being existing in the world. Don’t just walk with your eyes down or only stare straight ahead in your car. Try to be aware of runners, especially female runners and if something seems wrong, do something. Report it, call 911, ask the runner if they are okay or need help. Running may be a solitary sport in a lot of ways, but there is strength in numbers.

Be aware that female runners are at a disadvantage, trying to balance all the precautions to make their workout as safe as possible and look out for each other.