När gymkultur blir problematisk
En kvalitativ studie om ohälsosamt träningsbeteende
Gyms are populated by more and more people and there is an increased interest in wellness and health. However, there is a downside to the culture that people choose to step into. Exercise can go too far and take unhealthy directions. The purpose of this study is to examine how norms are created in the gym culture and how unhealthy behaviour is reproduced inside the walls of the gym. We have also done research about how a local gym identifies and handles deviant behaviour such as the use of doping and eating disorders. Methods used are qualitative interviews and participating observations. Our theoretical framework has consisted of social constructivist theories of Peter Berger and Howard S. Becker such as the socially constructed reality and deviant careers. Our results have shown that it?s difficult to draw a line between what is healthy and unhealthy. The gym atmosphere and it`s message, the gym visitors and how they relate to values, interact and confirm each other mutually. This creates the gym norm. The gym handles deviant behaviour by conversations with its visitors and by having close ties to medical care. Knowledge is the key to a healthy approach towards training and also to the identification of deviant behaviour.