What is it like to be a woman in sport in 2026?

Happy International Women’s Day! 

We asked some incredible female athletes what it’s like to be a woman in sport in 2026 - and their answers say it all.

Lhea Terzaki

@Lhea.terzaki

Being a woman in the fitness industry right now feels like a turning point. More than ever, women are realising their bodies aren’t projects to fix but instead they’re tools for performance, resilience and self-trust. In 2026, strength doesn’t look one way, and success isn’t measured by shrinking yourself, it’s measured by what your body allows you to do! I see more women training for longevity, confidence and capability, not just aesthetics, and that is so powerful because when women see themselves in their power... they are unstoppable. It’s about choosing you, not just for a race or a session but every single day to see that you’re capable of far more than you were ever told!

Hannah Heggarty

@elationhannah

As a female coach in the fitness industry, I am constantly inspired by new challenges, the strong women around me, and my clients pushing past physical and mental barriers they once thought were impossible. Seeing this progress naturally pushes me to work harder myself.

Being a woman in this space can come with pressure - expectations about how you should look and how you should train. But watching my clients achieve things they once doubted they could do is a powerful reminder that strength isn’t about fitting into what is considered the norm; it’s about showing up for yourself, again and again.

Our minds can sometimes be our own worst enemy, but supporting one another and going through the journey together proves that even on the hardest days, we are capable of more than we think.

Holly Archer

@Hollyarcher

Being a woman in the fitness industry in 2026 feels powerful, but also purposeful. We’re no longer just ‘showing up’ in the space, we’re shaping it. There’s a shift happening where strength isn’t just physical, it’s mental, emotional and community-led. Women are building brands, coaching other women, prioritising performance over aesthetics and redefining what success looks like. It’s not about shrinking ourselves anymore, it’s about taking up space, lifting heavy, running fast and supporting each other while we do it.

Lucy Ethell

@Lucieethell

In 2025, we saw women dominating in the fitness industry, leading the way with strength and resilience. Going into 2026, we should see more of pushing the boundaries, redefining the meaning of strong. Most importantly, see women lifting each other up and creating a supportive, empowering community where every woman’s success is celebrated, and we grow together.