Aspiring against the odds: women strength and conditioning coaches in a gendered landscape

Strength and Conditioning (S&C) remains a male-dominated profession with women significantly underrepresented and facing persistent structural, cultural, and interpersonal barriers. While existing research has focused on experienced practitioners, this study explores the experiences and aspirations of women at the early stages of their S&C careers. Drawing on Raymond Williams’ framework of dominant, residual, and emergent culture, this qualitative study involved semi-structured interviews with 12 aspiring women S&C coaches. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes: the underrepresentation of women in S&C leadership, experiences of mansplaining, and navigating gendered power dynamics. Participants highlighted the need to constantly prove legitimacy, often in environments shaped by hegemonic masculinity. While emergent cultural shifts, such as mentorship programmes, show potential for change, these remain constrained by enduring dominant and residual cultural norms. The findings underscore the importance of systemic reform, ethical mentorship, and inclusive professional development pathways that extend beyond surface-level diversity initiatives. This study contributes to a growing body of literature advocating for structural and cultural transformation in S&C, arguing that meaningful change requires dismantling the deeply embedded gendered norms that continue to marginalise women in the profession.