National Women’s Health and Fitness Day

National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is held every year on the last Wednesday of September. The mission of this event is to encourage women to prioritize their physical health. A healthy lifestyle involves not just balanced nutrition, sufficient sleep, and daily walks, but also regular physical activity.

History

National Women’s Health and Fitness Day was established in 2002 to highlight the benefits of physical exercise for women. For centuries, many widely accepted traditions actually harmed women’s health. For example, corsets were worn for hundreds of years, but their tightness often led to fainting. It was also long believed that women should not lift weights for fear of developing “masculine” muscles. Today, many of these myths have been debunked, and women’s fitness is more widely embraced.

Interesting Details

• In the early 20th century, women were encouraged to exercise, but only at home, since working out and sweating in public was considered improper.
• The first women’s gyms were called “beauty salons,” since visitors went there primarily to lose weight rather than improve overall fitness.
• The movement for healthy living began to grow in the 19th century, and since then, women’s physical health has become increasingly valued.

How to Take Part

Take care of your health—make an appointment with your doctor, get a check-up, and have any necessary tests done. Attend women’s health events and join the millions who are already making healthy choices. Commit to a healthy lifestyle not just today, but every day.

When is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day in 2025?

National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is observed on the last Wednesday of September each year.

Observations