People can now ‘Ask for Angela’ in the gym as posters are spotted in many places for an important reason

People can now access the ‘Ask Angela’ program in the gym, after campaigners noted the dangers and safety concerns.

The Ask for Angela program was rolled out to the hospitality space in 2016, to create a safe space for people who felt uncomfortable on a night out.

Following the success and “proven history” of success in bars and nightclubs, campaigners are now trialling the project in a number of gyms across the UK.

Campaign group This Girl Can has teamed up with ukactive, Safer Business Network, the Metropolitan Police Service and the Mayor of London to launch the program in 11 fitness and leisure centers across South West London.

Four in ten women surveyed have experienced some form of sexual harassment or intimidation at their fitness or leisure center. (Getty Images/Sport England)

For those unfamiliar with how it works, if a member of the public – male or female – finds themselves in an uncomfortable situation and needs help getting out, they can ask a member of Angela’s staff.

This is a code word that triggers them to help you exit the situation safely, whether it’s calling a taxi or escorting you out of the building from another exit.

The new campaign aims to ensure that anyone who wants to go to the gym but feels uneasy about the environment can do so without fear of being in danger.

Activists have noted that this can be particularly tricky for women, as the gym is often a male-dominated space.

The program is running successfully in bars and nightclubs across the UK. (Provided)

In a statement on the project, This Girl Can campaign activation manager Claire Edwards said: “For some, going to the gym can be an anxious experience.

“Wearing tight clothes, changing in front of others, entering spaces that are often heavily male dominated, as well as fear of becoming active and not being good enough are all too common – often among women and girls.

“Our research found that safety concerns restrict women’s freedom and comfort in fitness and leisure centers and pose a significant barrier to their participation in exercise.”

She added: ‘Ask Angela’ will reassure women and girls that they can and should seek help or report any situation that has made them uncomfortable and that staff will be available to help them .

“The campaign has a proven track record in the hospitality sector and we are confident it will benefit the health and fitness industry.”

And research backs up why it’s so important.

According to ukactive, four in ten women surveyed (42%) have experienced some form of sexual harassment or bullying at their fitness or leisure center.

Additionally, more than two-thirds (68%) have never reported it.

The campaign hopes to see the program rolled out to more gyms across the country if the pilot proves successful.