Get Exercise Confident has been created by William Fotherby, a fourth year medical student, as part of his third-year summer project into sport and exercise medicine.

My sporting background as an international level fencer has meant that I have always had an interest in sports medicine and last year I qualified as a NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. 

Although initially interested in elite level sports medicine, the more I have researched, the more fascinated I have become at the effects of sport and exercise medicine on public health. 

An ever-growing body of research suggests that regular physical exercise results in significant health benefits, both in terms of mental and physical health. However, there is limited evidence-based education on exercise available to the public, and it has been estimated that over half the population is physically inactive.

A significant gender divide is also a major issue in physical activity, particularly in resistance training, where the ratio of men to women participating is almost 9:1. A recent survey suggested that there are three main factors holding women back from resistance training: a lack of information on how to do it, not understanding the benefits, and feeling intimidated in the weights room of a gym.

Get Exercise Confident aims to tackle these issues, by providing evidence-based education on the benefits of exercise, as well as information on how to do it effectively and safely.

I would like to thank my supervisors Jonathan Williams and Dominic Alder for all their support with this project. I would also like to thank:  

• Alice Hoad – for all the help designing the webpages
• Andy McDonald – both for his advice and for his help with filming
• Dave Rowland – for all his advice and ideas with the project
• Daisy Media – for the filming and editing of the videos
• E-Learning Department  - for lending me the filming equipment and camera, as well as funding Daisy Media
• Elaine Cowsill – for her support with the website administration
• John Wilford – for his advice and support
• Rivan Meiarasu, Olivia Buckeldee, Alice Hoad and Will Hughes – for demonstrating the exercises in both videos and photos.