‘Strength becomes her’ – resistance training as a route to positive body image in women

ABSTRACT

Physical activity has been shown to be an ideal intervention for body image and wellbeing, but very little research has focused on the role of resistance training in women, and more specifically, its role in supporting positive body image. The aim of this study was to identify the role of resistance training to positive body image in women, aged 30–55 as an under-represented demographic in this field. A qualitative approach was used and data included semi-structured interviews with 12 women from UK, USA, and New Zealand, analysed in accordance with constructivist grounded theory. The findings proposed a model of how resistance training works to foster self-efficacy and develop positive body image and psychological wellbeing. Themes that emerged included: Social and Environmental Factors, Characteristics of Resistance Training, Consequences of Resistance Training and Wellbeing Benefits. Ultimately, this research creates a springboard for future positive body image research to refine and develop ways to encourage and support more women to experience the benefits resistance training can bring.

KEYWORDS:

• Resistance training
• positive body image
• wellbeing
• women
• grounded theory

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Jolanta Burke for her work on an earlier draft of this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Functionality has been described as including: “(a) internal processes (e.g., digesting food, healing from a cold), (b) physical capacities (e.g., walking, swimming), (c) bodily senses and sensations (e.g., seeing, experiencing pleasure), (d) creative endeavours (e.g., dancing, gardening), (e) self-care (e.g., sleeping, eating), and (f) communication with others (e.g., body language, shared laughter) (Alleva et al., 2018, p 85).

Additional information

Funding

No funding was involved in this research, and the authors received no financial interest or other benefit from this research.

Notes on contributors

Ronie Walters

Ronie Walters is a PhD researcher at the University of the Highlands and Islands after completing her MSc at the University of East London. She has a longstanding interest in the psychology of physical activity and is currently researching health literacy as a behaviour change mediator in cardiovascular patients.

Kate Hefferon

Kate Hefferon is a Chartered Research psychologist and Honorary reader at the University of East London specialising in the psychology of physical activity, the role of the body, and post-traumatic growth. She is a member of the British Psychological Society, a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, the Royal Society of Arts and an associate member of the Royal Society of Medicine. She is the author of several peer reviewed papers, books and book chapters, and has presented at conferences nationally and internationally. www.katehefferon.com