DOCSLIB.ORG

An Ethnographic Exploration of Gyms, Female Gym-Goers and the Quest for Fitness in Tampa, FL

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Ethnographic Exploration of Gyms, Female Gym-Goers and the Quest for Fitness in Tampa, FL University of South Florida Scholar Commons Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School July 2019 The Tampa Gym Study: An Ethnographic Exploration of Gyms, Female Gym-Goers and The Quest for Fitness in Tampa, FL Danielle Reneé Rosen University of South Florida, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd Part of the Public Health Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Scholar Commons Citation Rosen, Danielle Reneé, "The Tampa Gym Study: An Ethnographic Exploration of Gyms, Female Gym-Goers and The Quest for Fitness in Tampa, FL" (2019). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/8410 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Tampa Gym Study: An Ethnographic Exploration of Gyms, Female Gym-Goers and The Quest for Fitness in Tampa, FL by Danielle Reneé Rosen A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy with a concentration in Biocultural Medical Anthropology Department of Applied Anthropology College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida Major Professor: Roberta Baer, Ph.D Carol Bryant, Ph.D. Daniel Lende, Ph.D. John Napora, Ph.D. Claudia Parvanta, Ph.D. Date of Approval: July 3rd , 2019 Keywords: exercising, workout, women, public health, obesity, physical activity Copyright @ 2019, Danielle Reneé Rosen DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my grandma, Beatrice, also endearingly nicknamed “Ma,” and to my mother, Diane. They have both been the biggest support for me through my life, no matter what direction I decided to take. My grandmother had a love for anthropology and was so proud of me for pursing a degree in this field. My mother helped me in every way imaginable to be able to apply, enroll, and complete the academic degrees that I have earned. They both never doubted me and always showed tremendous support and love in all ways imaginable. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I want to first thank Dr. Robert Fullilove, my mentor, for his extensive encouragement and wide-ranging support on all academic matters. He has been an inspiration as an award- winning teacher, top researcher, and community leader. He has inspired my interest in chronic diseases, which led me to do this type of research and to look for innovative solutions on how to get people more physically active. Overall his commitment to student’s success is unmatched and forever appreciated. His friendship and guidance have also been unparalleled. I want to extend my gratitude to Dr. Baer who has been there for me as my main advisor at USF and who has supported my research study through thick and thin. She pushed me to be an even harder worker and has helped me conduct a research study that I can say I am proud of having completed. I want to thank her for introducing me to Dr. Weller, as well, who also gave me invaluable guidance into the research methods that I used for the Tampa Gym Study. I am forever grateful to them both. I also want to thank the members of my dissertation committee at USF: Dr. Bryant for her assistance in helping me to think about how to put together the details of my study and for agreeing to stay on my committee even after her retirement. I want to thank Dr. Parvanta who came on board at a later date and who helped me think about ways to improve the structure and writing of my dissertation. I am particularly grateful to her now for her guidance in writing academic articles that will be derived from my research. Thank you, Dr. Lende, for being such a great educator and for teaching me about the multitude of useful and relevant methodologies in the social sciences and for his assistance in showing me how to do really good ethnographic research. Dr. Lende has been very kind and a big support of my research while pushing me to be a better researcher and academic thinker. Thank you Dr. Napora for agreeing to be on my committee and for your deep interest in my research. I am especially grateful for your kindness and help with expanding my knowledge of the sports anthropology literature. Finally, I want to recognize my entire family for their love, support and patience while I pursued my PhD and MPH. Thank you for your unwavering support and for believing in me fully during this long process. TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. iv Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... vi Chapter One: Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 Anthropological Research: Obesity Research, the Quest for the Body Beautiful and Ethnographic Examination of Gyms and Gym Goers ........................................................ 1 Research Settings: Sunshine State Gym (SSG) and the Active Style Gym (ASG) ............ 5 Research Objectives ............................................................................................................ 5 Synopsis of Findings ........................................................................................................... 6 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 8 Chapter Two: Literature Review .................................................................................................... 9 The Body and Anthropology .............................................................................................. 9 Public Health and the Obesity Epidemic .......................................................................... 15 African American Women and Exercise .......................................................................... 20 Social and Cultural Drivers of Obesity and the Quest for Fitness .................................... 23 Ethnography of Gyms ....................................................................................................... 29 Dissertations on Gyms and Fitness Culture ...................................................................... 35 Social Media and Exercise ................................................................................................ 37 Methods for Assessing Gyms and Fitness Culture ........................................................... 39 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 41 Chapter Three: Research Methods ................................................................................................ 45 Research Objectives .......................................................................................................... 47 Sampling and Study Sites ................................................................................................. 48 Part I: Qualitative Study.................................................................................................... 50 Participant Observation ......................................................................................... 50 Sampling ............................................................................................................... 51 Recruitment Strategies .......................................................................................... 52 Data Collection ..................................................................................................... 55 Data Analysis of Semi-Structured Interviews ....................................................... 55 Part II: Quantitative Study ................................................................................................ 56 Sampling ............................................................................................................... 56 Data Collection: Instrument .................................................................................. 56 Data Analysis of Questionnaire ............................................................................ 58 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 60 Chapter Four: Results ................................................................................................................... 61 Results Part I ..................................................................................................................... 62 i Description of Study Sites: Active Style Gym (ASG) .......................................... 62 Description of Study Sites: Sunshine State Gym (SSG) ....................................... 63 Comparison of Gyms ............................................................................................ 64 Personal Trainers: Roles at The Gym ................................................................... 64 Participant Observation ......................................................................................... 66 Positionality .............................................................................................. 66 Results ......................................................................................................
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bass Coast Aquatic Strategy 2015 to 2024
    Bass Coast Aquatic Strategy 2015 to 2024 Adopted 24 June 2015 June 2015 Prepared by SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net SGL Consulting Group Australia Pty Ltd Adelaide 2a Mellor St West Beach SA 5024 Phone: +61 (08) 8235 0925 Fax: +61 (08) 8353 1067 Email: [email protected] Brisbane PO Box 713 Mount Gravatt Queensland 4122 Mobile: +61 (0) 416 235 235 Email: [email protected] Melbourne Level 6, 60 Albert Road South Melbourne VIC 3205 Phone: +61 (03) 9698 7300 Fax: +61 (03) 9698 7301 Email: [email protected] Perth 19 Clayton Street East Fremantle WA 6158 Phone: +61 (0) 8 9319-8991 Mobile: +61 (0) 407 901 636 Email: [email protected] Sydney 1/273 Alfred St Nth North Sydney NSW 2060 Mobile: +61 (04) 17 536 198 Email: [email protected] SGL also has offices in: • Auckland • Christchurch • Wellington (VIC 63.2011) Volume One – COGG IRFS – Key Findings and Recommendations - 24 July 2013 2 Commercial in confidence. SGL Group Consulting Pty Ltd www.sglgroup.net Table of Contents 1 Background ......................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Scope, Objectives and Purpose ................................................................ 1 1.2 Project Methodology ............................................................................................... 2 1.3 Overview of the Project Area .................................................................................. 2 1.3.1 Population Growth Trends ..................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Bodybuilding and Fitness Doping in Transition. Historical Transformations and Contemporary Challenges
    Article Bodybuilding and Fitness Doping in Transition. Historical Transformations and Contemporary Challenges Jesper Andreasson 1,* and Thomas Johansson 2 1 Department of Sport Science, Linnaeus University, 39182 Kalmar, Sweden 2 Department of Education, Learning and Communication, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden; [email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 16 January 2019; Accepted: 27 February 2019; Published: 4 March 2019 Abstract: This article describes and analyses the historical development of gym and fitness culture in general and doping use in this context in particular. Theoretically, the paper utilises the concept of subculture and explores how a subcultural response can be used analytically in relation to processes of cultural normalisation as well as marginalisation. The focus is on historical and symbolic negotiations that have occurred over time, between perceived expressions of extreme body cultures and sociocultural transformations in society—with a perspective on fitness doping in public discourse. Several distinct phases in the history of fitness doping are identified. First, there is an introductory phase in the mid-1950s, in which there is an optimism connected to modernity and thoughts about scientifically-engineered bodies. Secondly, in the 1960s and 70s, a distinct bodybuilding subculture is developed, cultivating previously unseen muscular male bodies. Thirdly, there is a critical phase in the 1980s and 90s, where drugs gradually become morally objectionable. The fourth phase, the fitness revolution, can be seen as a transformational phase in gym culture. The massive bodybuilding body is replaced with the well-defined and moderately muscular fitness body, but at the same time there are strong commercialised values which contribute to the development of a new doping market.
    [Show full text]
  • Original Article Fitness Culture in the Era of COVID-19. New Reality, New
    Journal of Physical Education and Sport ®(JPES),Vol 21 (Suppl. issue 2), Art 156 pp 1225 – 1233, Apr. 2021 online ISSN: 2247 - 806X; p-ISSN: 2247 – 8051; ISSN - L = 2247 - 8051 © JPES Original Article Fitness culture in the era of COVID-19. new reality, new challenges. Perspective of personal trainers. JOANNA JANKOWSKA University of Wrocław, POLAND Published online: April 30, 2021 (Accepted for publication April 15, 2021) DOI:10.7752/jpes.2021.s2156 Abstract Sport is, without a doubt, an inherent part of our culture and social life. Changes in social reality connected with the emergence of COVID-19 and resulting introduction of particular actions aimed at prevention of spreading the danger, have not bypassed the world of sport or, widely understood, fitness culture. Colossal changes, which stopped everything for a moment, have ensued. The effect of those changes was suspension of operation of fitness facilities involved in fitness culture, including fitness clubs or gyms. The fitness world, the community of creators as well as consumers of fitness culture, collided with a new reality and new challenges. The loss of workplaces, e.g. for trainers, and the lack of spaces to be physically active have influenced immensely how sport activities look like for the subjects actively taking care of their health, physical condition, their bodies and appearance. What is Polish fitness world currently struggling with? How personal trainers are faring in the era of COVID-19? How does the collaboration of personal trainers and their clients look like? How does the fitness community find themselves in the new “coronavirus”, pandemic reality? What strategies were adopted by the personal trainers to survive and be able to function actively in their professions? I will try to answer these specific questions in this article, based on my own research, which had an exploratory character and was aimed at recognizing the experiences of personal trainers as the main representatives of the new reality connected to the emergence of COVID-19.
    [Show full text]
  • American Council on Exercise Acefia Non-Profitt Organizationnmamaestterstterss
    Volume 14 • Issue 4 • september/october 2008 • $5.00 American Council on Exercise ACEfiA Non-profitt Organizationnmamaestterstterss Drop and give me 20! Exclusive ACE study investigates the fitness benefits of popular boot camp–style workouts LETTER FROM THE EDITOR got a late start on my spring cleaning this year. As I write this letter, August is more than half over and I’ve spent much of the month clearing out drawers and closets and making countless trips to the Salvation Army to drop off donations. ITalk about cleansing—I’ve reached that point in my life where I actually derive more pleasure from getting rid of stuff than I do from acquiring new things. And, according to at least one recent diet book, clearing out the clutter in my home may offer the added benefit of helping me get rid of extra pounds. The notion that too much stuff equals too much fat is just one of many novel (and some not-so-novel) ideas presented in a slew of new diet books. This is the time of year when publishers start sending out advance copies of their new re- leases and the stack on my desk seems to grow daily. Some titles appeal to our belief that other people know the secret to staying slim, such as those who live on Park Avenue or work on Wall Street. Others claim to have found the elusive magic bullet, which is really just a dietary supplement they’re selling (because that’s where the real money is). And still others revisit familiar territory, such as low-carb, low-fat or good old-fashioned calorie counting.
    [Show full text]
  • Fit Stop Health Club Group Fitness Schedule
    Effective 7-10-17 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Cycling - Missy Cycling - Jess Cycling - Jackie 5:30 AM 6:30 AM Yoga Stretch - Elise 7:15 AM Silver Sneakers - Lesa Adaptive Yoga - Lori Silver Sneakers - Gail Yoga Stretch - Jackie Mind & Body - Ned 8:00 AM Water Aerobics - Juliette Water Aerobics - Lori Boxing Bootcamp - Juliette 9:00 AM Sculpt & Sweat - Lesa 9:15 AM Cycling - Lesa Cycling - Jess Fluid Yoga - Katie Align & Flow Yoga - Jackie Vinyasa Flow - Elise 10:00 AM 10:15 AM Mat Pilates - Jenny 11:30 AM Fit Stop Health Club Simple Yoga - Jackie Simple Yoga - Jackie 4:30 PM Group Fitness Schedule Gym Hours 5:00 PM Monday - Thursday: 5am - 10pm Friday: 5am - 8pm 5:30 PM Saturday: 7am - 8pm 5:45 PM Cycling - Jackie Cycling - Jess Sunday: 9am - 4pm 6:00 PM Child Care Hours 6:30 PM Monday - Friday: 8:45am - 12pm Monday - Thursday: 4:15pm - 7:30pm 6:45 PM Saturday: 8am - 11pm Sunday: CLOSED 7:00 PM Yoga Fundamentals - Ned INDOOR CYCLING CLASSES FHIIT Group Fitness Classes This class is great for cardio and endurance. Work Fit Stop High Intensity Interval Training – A cardio on climbing skills, speed, and recovery through timed endurance exercise alternating short periods of Classes last 45-60 min, unless otherwise drills and cadence work. (Bring water and towel.) intense anaerobic exercise with less intense recovery stated in the class description. periods. RESISTANCE TRAINING CLASSES They are filled on a first-come, first- Group Power POUND served basis until at capacity. Group Power is your hour of power! This 60-minute The world’s first cardio jam session inspired by the infectious, energizing and sweat-dripping fun of barbell program strengthens all your major muscles in All classes are ongoing, meaning you an inspiring, motivating group environment with playing the drums.
    [Show full text]
  • FITNESS REIMBURSEMENT Effective January 1, 2015 Through December 31, 2015
    FITNESS REIMBURSEMENT Effective January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015 Reward Yourself With a Fitness Reimbursement To encourage you to be fit and stay healthy, Tufts University offers a fitness reimbursement to employees who are enrolled in a Tufts University health plan. Fitness Reimbursement Submiting your request: Tufts University will give you a reimbursement on your } The reimbursement is paid to the subscriber. fitness center membership or certain group exercise You must submit the request by March 31 in order classes. It’s simple! } to be reimbursed for fitness costs for the previous The reimbursement is available to members age 18 and calendar year. older. The subscriber and one other covered dependent Submit the Fitness Reimbursement Form on the qualify for a 3-month reimbursement per year on } reverse of this page, along with one of the following: expenses for fitness center membership or 24 group exercise classes within a 12-week period. 1 Proof of fitness center membership and payment Your fitness expenses must meet the following criteria for the reimbursement: OR } For fitness centers, you must be a member of the Proof of charges and payment for group center for at least three months during 2015 before 2 exercise classes you qualify for the reimbursement. — The center must offer cardio and strength-training machines and other programs for improved physical fitness. — Eligible expenses do not include martial arts centers, gymnastics centers, country clubs, aerobics-only or pool-only centers, sports teams and leagues, social clubs and tennis clubs, personal trainers, sports coaches, or the purchase of personal or at-home exercise machines.
    [Show full text]
  • Glocalised Fitness
    http://www.diva-portal.org This is the published version of a paper published in Leisure/ Loisir. Citation for the original published paper (version of record): Andreasson, J., Johansson, T. (2018) Glocalised fitness: the franchising of a physical movement, fitness professionalism and gender Leisure/ Loisir, 42(3): 301-321 https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2018.1535910 Access to the published version may require subscription. N.B. When citing this work, cite the original published paper. Permanent link to this version: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-78821 Leisure/Loisir ISSN: 1492-7713 (Print) 2151-2221 (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rloi20 Glocalised fitness: the franchising of a physical movement, fitness professionalism and gender Jesper Andreasson & Thomas Johansson To cite this article: Jesper Andreasson & Thomas Johansson (2018): Glocalised fitness: the franchising of a physical movement, fitness professionalism and gender, Leisure/Loisir To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2018.1535910 © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Published online: 15 Nov 2018. Submit your article to this journal View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=rloi20 LEISURE/LOISIR https://doi.org/10.1080/14927713.2018.1535910 Glocalised fitness: the franchising of a physical movement, fitness professionalism and gender Jesper Andreasson a and Thomas Johanssonb aDepartment of Sport Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden; bDepartment of Education, Communication and Learning, University of Gothenburg, and insert space Gothenburg, Sweden ABSTRACT ARTICLE HISTORY The focus of this study is on the development of a globa- Received 17 June 2017 lised and localised gym and fitness culture.
    [Show full text]
  • “The Body Is Made to Move”
    “The Body is Made to Move” ”The Body is Made to Move” Gym and Fitness Culture in Sweden Christina Hedblom ©Christina Hedblom, Stockholm 2009 Christina Hedblom and Acta Universitatis Stockholmiensis 2009 ISBN 978-91-86071-20-2 Printed by US-AB Distributor:eddy.se ab, Visby Sweden Cover illustration: Detail of a circuit-training instructor’s movement schedule. For Aron and Frans-Ferdinand Contents Acknowledgements.................................................................................9 Chapter One: In Movement ...............................................................11 The Aim of this Study ...............................................................................................13 The Body – Positioning this Research ...................................................................13 A Translocal Field Site ..............................................................................................17 Exercise, Fitness, and Gym Culture .................................................................20 The Field: Gyms and Fitness Centers....................................................................23 Informants: Gym-Goers and Bodybuilders.....................................................25 Interviewing...........................................................................................................26 Research Materials ....................................................................................................28 Heterogeneity........................................................................................................29
    [Show full text]
  • Kinaesthetic Cities: Studying the Worlds of Amateur Sports and Fitness in Contemporary Urban Environments
    Kinaesthetic Cities: Studying the worlds of amateur sports and fitness in contemporary urban environments Alan Latham and Jack Layton Department of Geography, University College London [email protected], [email protected] Final edits May 2019 Abstract Developing the concept of kinaesthetics this article undertakes a critical re-description of amateur sports and fitness to explore the topographies, materials, innovation, and socialities that make up urban environments. Extending work on affect and urban materiality within geography and elsewhere, we argue that amateur sport and fitness animates many cities in ways that are frequently overlooked. The paper aims to 1) broaden understandings of amateur sport and fitness practices; 2) reframe perspectives on the kinds of environments cities are; 3) develop a prospective politics of provision involving the design and maintenance of a social infrastructure of amateur sport and fitness. Key Words: Urban, materiality, sociality, sport, exercise, infrastructure, environment, affect, publics. Page 1 i. Introduction Cities are full of people engaged in all sorts of physical fitness and sporting activity. People climbing, running, cycling, swimming, dancing, playing, training, jumping, crawling, skating, balancing, skipping, racing, diving, fighting, wrestling, walking. These are everyday activities that enliven and remake urban environments. And it is the very affordances found and provided in cities that enable many of these practices to take hold and proliferate. There is evidence from across a range of disciplines that suggests these kinds of activities can help to fight against chronic diseases (Booth, et al. 2012), mental health problems (Deslandes, 2014), loneliness (Pels and Kleinert, 2016) and even increase life expectancy (Lee, et al.
    [Show full text]
  • Smart Fitness: a Qualitative Statistical Analysis of The
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
    [Show full text]
  • The Fit Body: on the Emergence of Fitness Culture and the Fitness Center
    The Fitness Movement and the Fitness Center Industry, 1960-2000 Marc Stern Since the 1960s, the nature of recreational physical fitness activity in the United States has changed considerably. By 2000, private fitness centers were ubiquitous features on the American landscape. Increasingly centralized ownership characterized the field from 1970 onward. Men and, more significantly, women, joined, left, and rejoined these ever-more mechanized establishments. Images of health, beauty, professional success, and sexuality emphasized athleticism and muscle tone. Fitness took on an especially powerful meaning to women affected by the burgeoning feminist movement, their new economic roles, the rise of women‘s sports, and the volatile marital and social environment. Fitness centers also emerged as social centers where people went to see and meet members of the opposite or same sex. Paradoxically, as this greater focus on the body and formalized exercise occurred for some, a larger portion of the population grew increasingly unhealthy and obesity became a problem among all age cohorts. Prior to the 1970s, relatively few Americans exercised routinely. In 1960, for example, only 24 percent claimed to exercise regularly.1 However, something changed over the next two decades. ―A new class has come among us,‖ intoned New York Magazine in 1978, ―that defines elitism in an entirely different manner. For this is the time of the Physical Elite, a class of American men, women, and children who are . exercising—a little, a moderate amount, or in staggering gulps.‖2 By 1987, a Gallup poll trumpeted that 69 percent of Americans said they exercised regularly.3 In this paper, I report on one aspect of that growth, the rise of the 1 J.
    [Show full text]
  • Exercise / Health Club Supplemental Application to BE USED with COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY APPLICATION (ACORD 125) All Questions Must Be Answered in Full
    Agency Name: Address: Contact Name: Phone: Fax: Email: Exercise / Health Club Supplemental Application TO BE USED WITH COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY APPLICATION (ACORD 125) All questions must be answered in full. Application must be signed and dated by the applicant. Applicant’s Name Agent Applicant Mailing Address Applicant’s Phone Number Web Address Inspection Contact Proposed Policy Period to Phone Number for Inspection Contact Applicant is Individual Partnership Corporation Joint Venture Other Location #1 Location #2 Location #3 OPERATIONS (check all applicable items) Aerobics Jacuzzi Sports Medicine Barber / Beauty Shop Jogging Tracks Steam Rooms Basketball Courts Kick Boxing * Sun Tanning Units Bicycle Tracks Locker Rooms * Swimming Pools Body Toning Martial Arts Tennis Courts Dance Instruction Masseuse Trampolines Diet Counseling Nursery* Tumbling Game Room Physical Therapists * Whirlpool Gymnastics Pro Shop Other (describe below) Handball / Racquetball Courts Sauna* Health Seminars Shower Rooms * (complete section on page 2, if item is starred) Describe all other operations not listed above UNDERWRITING INFORMATION 1. Number of years in business? If new describe prior experience Number of members at this location Hours of Operation 2. What is your estimated Gross Sales? 3. Does applicant own the building? .................................................................................................................. Yes No 4. Are all instructors employees of the applicant? .............................................................................................
    [Show full text]