Pumping Iron or Pulling Strings: Different Ways of Working Out and Getting Involved in Body-Building

Abstract

This paper features a clear differentiation of three forms of involvement in body-building, as represented by competitive body-builders, non-competitive body-builders, and fitness- oriented weight-trainers. In addition, a distinction between gyms with rather conventional (featuring mostly free weights) and modern, luxury-type equipment (featuring a multitude of exercise machines plus additional facilities) is suggested, thus representing two controversial ways of working out in hody-building. A specifically designed body-image and self-concept questionnaire was administered to regular clients of commercially run gyms. The rather limited ways to work out in conventional gyms seemed to attract a clientele that was more homogeneous with regard to demographic characteristics, but that apparently managed to develop a greater diversity in their body images. The greater variety of working out in luxury gyms seemd to attract a clientele that was more heterogeneous with regard to demographic characteristics, but that apparently tended towards similarity in their body images. Findings are discussed in terms of self-selection and socialization as possible explanations for different patterns of recruitment and forms of involvement in body building