Main description:

Drawing on empirical research, this fascinating new book explores the embodied experiences of 'gym goers' and the fitness cultures that are constructed within gyms and fitness spaces.

Gym Bodies offers a personal, interactive, ethnographic account of the multiplicity of contemporary gym practices, spaces and cultures, including bodybuilding, CrossFit and Spinning. It argues that gym bodies are historically constructed, social, sensual, emotional and political; that experience intersects with multiple embodied identities; and that fitness cultures are profoundly important in shaping the body in wider contemporary culture.

This is important reading for students, tutors and researchers working in sport and exercise studies, sociology of the body, health studies, leisure, cultural studies, gender and education. It is also a valuable resource for policy makers and practitioners within the fields of sport, leisure, health and education.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Introducing (Our) Gym Bodies and Fitness Cultures

James Brighton, Ian Wellard and Amy Clark

Chapter 2: Conceptualising Gym Bodies

James Brighton, Ian Wellard and Amy Clark

Chapter 3: A History of Gyms and the Evolvement of Contemporary Fitness

James Brighton, Ian Wellard and Amy Clark

Chapter 4: Embodied Methodological Considerations

James Brighton

Chapter 5: Gym Spaces

James Brighton, Ian Wellard and Amy Clark

Chapter 6: Being Personally Trained

Ian Wellard

Chapter 7: CrossFit

James Brighton

Chapter 8: Spinning

Amy Clark

Chapter 9: Reflections

James Brighton, Ian Wellard and Amy Clark

Appendix 1: Judgement Criteria employed

Appendix 2: WOD Acronyms in CrossFit

Appendix 3: The original 'Girls'