Women are twice as likely as men to say they've felt harassed or intimidated in a gym. I found that strangely reassuring, because it means I'm not alone in my fear of walking into a big gym on my own.

Research backs this up. Studies have found concerns about being judged, feeling watched, not knowing what to do, and unwanted comments or attention from other people.

Some of it comes down to layout and space too. Research has found that the weights area in particular can feel like it unofficially belongs to men, making it harder to simply walk into.

The good news is that strength training doesn't require you to go to a gym. There are different ways to learn and get stronger, such as in a small class, with a trainer, at home, or in a studio where you feel more comfortable.

And if a traditional gym is the only option, finding one where the atmosphere feels right can make it easier to stay consistent. Feeling comfortable in your surroundings can make a big difference when you're trying to build a routine, because consistency is really what we're aiming for.

It's also made me think about the kind of space I'd personally like to exercise in. Somewhere I look forward to going, where I can turn up, do the work, and leave feeling a little stronger than when I arrived. Somewhere surrounded by other women who understand exactly what that took.

In fact, today I'm off to a new studio I haven't been to before - a small act of doing exactly what this issue is about. I'll let you know how it goes in a future issue.

More soon.

Next time: for now, and for later.