Limitless aims to inspire the next generation of athletes to be active, healthy and happy. To achieve this goal, they ensure they are listening to young people about what motivates them and what stops them from participating in sport. Ensuring their kit is inclusive, varied and offers choice has become the most important idea behind their sportswear development.

Early this year, Limitless ran an online survey which received over 2500 responses, almost 2300 of which were from teenage girls (with the balance from coaches and parents of girls). The purpose of this survey was to find out what girls think about their kit and their barriers to being physically active.

This followed the Limitless and Youth Sport Trust 2021 survey of over 1500 young people about their attitudes to PE and school sport (read more about this here). At the time, this research showed that girls’ activity levels are likely to drop between the ages of 11 and 16; only 46% of 16-year-old girls said they were happy with the amount of activity they do, compared to 72% of boys. Limitless used the information from the 2021 survey to create kit that reduces barriers; utilising female-fit garments that are more flattering, for example, and offering navy bottom halves that reduce period anxiety.

The 2024 research has shown some interesting results. Respondents were asked to define themselves as “girl who plays sport” or “girl who doesn’t really play sport”. 95% of all girls surveyed agreed kit is important to how they feel when playing sport; 45% agreed that body image, or concerns over being looked at, affected their enjoyment of sport. Girls who don’t really play sport are significantly more concerned about body image than “sporty” girls (62.5% vs 42%). Finding garments that girls are comfortable wearing in front of others is therefore still critical in kit design.

When asked what they would most prefer to wear on their bottom halves, more sporty girls clearly preferred skorts, whereas less sporty girls preferred tracksuit bottoms or leggings.  Few girls in this survey chose shorts as their preferred garment. Most importantly, the girls agreed that choice is paramount to enable them to feel comfortable while playing sport, and this choice reduces the likelihood of dropping out of sport.

Of the coaches and teachers that responded, the general view seemed to agree that sports kit is still a bit outdated, but respondents were less clear on the solution, whereas the girls themselves were much clearer in their desire for a simple choice of bottom halves.

Lastly, less sporty girls were significantly less likely to wear a sports bra, often while citing discomfort as a reason to reduce their sport. The importance of wearing a sports bra – whether low-impact like the Limitless bra, or higher impact like the PeBe Impact bra – therefore cannot be overstated.

Limitless’ extensive knowledge of young people’s kit requirements, as well as the latest in fabric technology, has been used to create garments that truly fit and work for young people, removing the barriers to staying active. The team will continue to listen to young people about their kit needs, and design garments that meet these needs. For more information, please visit www.limitlesskit.com

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