During the spring, SportUni conducted a survey within the Tampere higher education community, aimed at individuals who engage in little or no physical activity. The purpose was to identify barriers to starting exercise and to understand why some members of the target group do not make use of SportUni’s services.
Nearly 500 responses were collected, and the findings were further deepened through individual interviews. Together, these provide a comprehensive picture of the factors influencing the decision to start being physically active.
According to the results, the key challenges are primarily related to service structure, communication, and perceived psychological safety, rather than a lack of willingness to exercise.
The survey indicates that starting physical activity is hindered by uncertainty about one’s own fitness level, anxiety about exercising in the presence of others, and a lack of information on how to access services. Many respondents summarised the situation simply:
“I don’t know where to start or what to do.”
Additionally, many expressed a desire to begin gently and without performance pressure.
“The opportunity to simply take part without goals”
That was a recurring theme, along with a need for a more relaxed atmosphere and low-threshold options.
The survey also highlights that a significant proportion of the barriers relate to a lack of information and predictability. One respondent described the situation as follows:
“I don’t dare attend classes because I don’t know what will happen there.”
Better beginner experience
Based on the survey, SportUni is now focusing its efforts particularly on improving the beginner experience. The aim is to make starting exercise clearer, safer, and more approachable. Planned development measures include beginner-specific sessions, increased opportunities for trying out activities, and clearer, smoother use of facilities and services.
A key part of the development work is the design and implementation of a clear “beginner’s path”. The goal is to gather all the necessary information for getting started at SportUni in one place and to provide step-by-step, practical guidance for first-time users: what to do, what to bring, and where to begin.
SportUni will implement these changes in phases, with the aim of lowering the threshold for starting physical activity and supporting especially those who are currently less active in finding suitable ways to exercise.
Services for beginners
Even now, SportUni offers a wide range services for beginners. In group exercise, there are plenty of classes suitable for beginners, allowing people to start calmly and at their own pace. In addition, free outdoor gym facilities are available at the Hervanta and City Centre campuses, with ready-made outdoor gym programmes accessible online. There are also campus activation points and opportunities for online sports.
Furthermore, personal support for getting started is available through services such as Sports consultation, beginner gym guidance, and personal training services.
Group exercise class descriptions
Online sports
Break exercise
Outdoor gyms and programmes
Sports consultation
Gym instruction for beginners
Personal training
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