I have always been someone who considers myself less than sporty. It’s pretty ironic, considering I’m now a health and fitness writer. But for as long as I can remember, I’ve felt out of my comfort zone when faced with any kind of unfamiliar physical activity.

Unsurprisingly, I’m not the only woman who feels this way. Trying anything new or unfamiliar can be intimidating, but the added pressure many of us feel to look or behave a certain way while working out can make that discomfort even worse.

Add to that the fact that many young girls lose interest in sport as they become teenagers – a study carried out by Women In Sport last year found that 43% of teenage girls who saw themselves as sporty at primary age no longer see themselves that way, and 2.4 million fewer women than men enjoy doing sports and fitness – and it’s clear that the problem is widespread.

Exercise and self-esteem: how to have more confidence in your physical abilities