Definition of a gym• A gym is a place where someone can go to work out in their spare time to improve their overall fitness and physique.

•Not everyone's desire and reason to go is the same, some would rather go for the cardiovascular activities rather than the strength building ones.

•The equipment for the cardio side of the gym would consist of things such as treadmills, rowing machines, bikes etc.

Why do I go to the gym?

•The main purpose in which I attend a gym is mainly to obtain and maintain a better physique for myself.

•I wasn’t happy with the body that I had a few years ago, I wasn’t fat, but I wasn’t exactly skinny, and I wanted that to change.

•The gym has become something of an addiction to me, and it feels weird to miss out on a day. It has just become part of my lifestyle.

The Gym I Attend

I have been going to ‘Muscle Masters’ gym on park lane for roughly 2 years.

My focuses have been more towards strength building rather than the cardiovascular side of training.

To most people this would not be that appealing because the majority of people look to lose weight rather than gain it.

Why do other people go to the gym?

A lot of people attend gyms to fit in with a better side of the society.

The gym I attend

These are some of the pieces of equipment that my gym includes:

Starting at a gym When I started attending the gym, I wasn’t exactly

confident and positive that I would carry on going after the first week or two, but before I knew it, it just became part of my routine and after nearly two years now, I’m glad that I kept it up because it has affected me in a way none other than positively.

A lot of people get put off when thinking about starting to go gym because they are afraid of the stereotype which they may obtain.

That stereotype would be that the person would be seen as big but small minded and would be seen as ‘dumb’ to other people around them.

Video here:

http://www.snotr.com/video/3707/Deadlifting_150_kg

Key concepts

Two of the main key concepts that have taken their place within this hobby that I decided to take upon myself, would be Representation and identity.

The looking glass theory

Within this presentation, the looking glass theory fits in perfectly because it affects how I feel when appearing to people around me.

Rogers concentric circle

The ‘Rogers concentric circle’ theory would also fit into this presentation.

Self esteem

Attending the gym has helped to increase my overall self esteem. This is referring both to how my body itself is, and how I feel to other people around me.

Going to the gym has helped to make me more acceptable in people’s eyes for someone who attends a gym, because it allows me to fit into the typical male stereotype which is strong/powerful.

Sub cultural group

People would often refer to going to a gym as a sub cultural aspect to someone’s life, because it is done by choice and interest, not by tradition. Basically not everyone does this activity that I take part in, because it may not fit into their interests, so this is why I fit into this sub cultural group.

Stereotypes