A 20-year analysis of motives and training patterns of Swedish gym-goers

ABSTRACT

Using questionnaire data collected from one gym in 1995, 2005, and 2015 this study examines 861 women’s and 1827 men’s training patterns and their motives for weight training. Between 1995 and 2015, the gym increased its membership, equipment, and machines. The analysis shows that the participants increased the time they trained in gyms and changed the muscle groups they prioritized. The motives to become stronger, healthier, and more fit remained stable over time, but both the men’s and women’s training de-emphasized building muscles and firmer shapes and emphasized fun, attractiveness, and endurance. The analysis suggests that how the socially constructed body should be shaped and the goal with the shaping has changed. In conclusion, the 20-year perspective captures changes that have not been reported previously and contributes to knowledge about the intersection of gyms and gender, shedding light on how gym culture has changed and the reasons for these changes.

KEYWORDS:

• Body
• fitness
• exercise motives
• consumer culture
• weight training
• gender

Acknowledgments

The author wants to acknowledge the anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Umeå School of Sport Sciences; The Swedish Research Council for Sport Science.

Notes on contributors

Tor Söderström

Dr. Tor Söderström is a professor in the Department of Education, Umeå University, Sweden. His research interest is within various sport related areas.