Council launches new low-cost women’s-only sport and activity sessions

Chelmsford City Council has re-launched Women Time, a scheme providing low-cost women’s-only sport and activity sessions in the district.

The council’s Community Sport and Wellbeing (CSAW) team has secured funding to enable a programme of activities in 2026. So far, the team has launched a women-only 12-week gym-based fitness programme and a series of ‘learn to ride’ cycling sessions.

Women Time project aims to close the gender activity gap

Women Time was first launched in 2014 and ran for four years, thanks to funding from Sport England and The National Lottery’s ‘This Girl Can’ project, designed to tackle the gender activity gap. Women Time provided a host of low-cost women-only activities, from swimming and cycling lessons, to ‘buggy fitness’ classes and collaborations with local sports clubs.

Funding for the 2026 relaunch of Women Time comes from Active Essex and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project will subsidise a series of women-only activities throughout the year, from weight training to tennis lessons, to help women try a new sport or activity in a friendly, non-competitive environment. The project also aims to spotlight existing women’s sports clubs operating in Chelmsford.

Councillor Natacha Dudley, Cabinet Member for An Active Chelmsford, says Chelmsford City Council is committed to encouraging all residents to get more active:

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“There are endless ways to live an active lifestyle and it’s important to find something that suits you – and that you enjoy! Activity shouldn’t be a punishment; it should enrich your life as well as benefit your health.

“Research shows that women are less likely to feel welcome in a physical activity space, so these dedicated sessions are the perfect way to try something you’ve always been curious about and see if it works for you.”

Cllr Natacha Dudley, Cabinet Member for An Active Chelmsford

Barriers to sport for women

According to Sport England research:

• Only 9% of women are active in a typical week.
• Only one in 10 women feel they completely belong in the world of physical activity.
• Almost one in six women have felt so unwelcome in a physical activity setting that they have never returned to that type of activity, or lost all confidence to try something new.

The top-cited reasons from women for being inactive are cost and lack of motivation, but Sport England believes the reality is more complex, with functional barriers, such as affordability and time, being accompanied by emotional barriers, such as feeling embarrassed or inadequate.

This Girl Can’s ‘Belonging Starts with Inclusion’ insight report states: 

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“Although our women recognise the many benefits of exercise, they often associate it with long-term goals like weight management or overall health improvements—both of which require consistency. However, they may overlook the immediate benefits, such as increased energy and a better mood, which can be felt the very same day.

“Those women amongst our audience who are already active are more likely to have shifted their perspective from seeing activity as something they ‘should’ do to look good, to something they want to do to feel good. This means there’s an opportunity here: to help our women see that their motivation doesn’t have to be about looking their best – it can be about feeling their best.”

The same report shares that one in five women say women-only classes would make them feel more welcome in settings with physical activity. 

Women Time weights

The first programme launched by Women Time in 2026 is ‘Women Time weights’, a 12-week gym-based fitness programme for those who may feel intimidated by the idea of resistance training at a gym.

Strength training comes with many benefits for women of all ages and has become increasingly popular with women in recent years. These Women Time sessions are aimed at beginners, and the programme has been designed by a level three gym instructor to enable participants to follow along and progress at their own pace.

Women Time weights sessions take place at South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre on Friday evenings. The sessions are currently fully booked, but you can enquire about joining the waiting list by visiting reception or calling 01245 605600.

Women taking part in Women Time weights sessions.

Women Time cycling

Next up from Women Time, a series of learn to ride sessions for adults interested in learning to cycle. If you’ve ever wanted to learn to ride a bike, but didn't have the confidence, this one is for you!

This July, hour-long sessions for women will be held at the Cycle Skills Circuit at Tower Gardens. This circuit is specially designed to help learners practice and gain new skills in a safe, traffic-free environment.

Bikes and helmets will be provided, and the sessions are free of charge. Spaces are limited so you will need to book your place in advance, which you can do online today. If you’d like to know more before booking, you can speak to the CSAW team by calling 01245 606569.

The Cycle Skills Circuit at Tower Gardens.

Other women-only programmes coming soon

More Women Time activities are set to launch later this year, including a women-only programme of CSAW’s ‘With You In Mind’; social activity sessions for adults to support mental wellbeing and tackle social isolation. These sessions include activities such as badminton, pickleball and table tennis, as well as more social practices like board games and mindful colouring. Dates and times for With You in Mind women-only sessions will be announced soon.

In the meantime, there are plenty of opportunities to take part in women's sports clubs across Chelmsford that you may not be aware of. Head to womentime.co.uk to check out a directory of women-only activities in the Chelmsford area. The directory includes links to club websites and contact information, should you wish to make further enquiries.

To make sure you’re the first to hear about the latest additions to Women Time’s timetable, sign up to the community sport and wellbeing newsletter, or visit https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/where/community-sport-and-wellbeing/women-time/.