English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

A Phenomenological Photovoice Exploration of Female Exercisers’ Experiences of their Body in Fitness Center Environments Katherine E. Fairhurst For many women, the relationship with their body and exercise is complex. Exercise can have positive effects on body image, however, not all women appear to benefit positively from all types of exercise. To date, body image research has focused on exercise as an activity and less so on the context in which exercise is performed. Women frequently exercise in fitness centers as young adults which, unfortunately, is associated with body dissatisfaction. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach with Photovoice methodology, we explored young adult women’s lived body experiences while exercising in fitness centers. A purposive sample of 11 women (Mage= 21.9 years) completed a two-phase study: (1) a two-week photography period and (2) a 60-90-minute, photo-elicited interview via SkypeTM. Three identified themes pertained to the sociocultural fitness setting, participants’ fitness experiences, and how participants navigated their ‘place’ while exercising in fitness centers. Participants experienced a segregated fitness center environment driven by gender, the absence of female representation on machines, and “no place for women” in weightlifting areas. Interestingly, these negative experiences were buffered by self-compassion-based textual messages on walls and mirrors and dress codes which encouraged a harmonious relationship with their body while exercising. In light of these experiences, participants shared negotiating strategies (e.g., seeking private sub-spaces, challenging gender norms). This study elucidates the complexity of body experiences for young adult women in fitness settings and informs the development of exercise spaces that empower women to build a healthy relationship with their body through exercise. BODY EXPERIENCES OF FEMALE EXERCISERS IN FITNESS CENTERS iii Acknowledgements I would like to thank my family, friends, and mentors who have helped me through every hill and valley of this process – my gratitude for your support is endless. I thank Dr. Dana Voelker for challenging my insecurities, reaffirming my capabilities when my imposter syndrome reared its ugly head, and her constant reminders to take charge of my process. I am grateful for her unwavering standard of excellence and I could not be more appreciative of her guidance. I thank my committee members, Dr. Sam Zizzi who helped me keep healthy perspective and challenged me in my approach to the research, Dr. Monica Leppma who reminded me of the importance of self-compassion and self-acceptance, not only in the research but with myself, and Dr. Christy Greenleaf, who’s early enthusiasm and support for my project gave me the confidence to jump all in. Thank you to Karly Casanave, a fellow graduate student, for her commitment and perspective – from the first time she expressed interest in contributing to this project to the final draft, the quality of the research has been elevated ten-fold because of her contribution. I would also like to thank Melinda Gallagher and Candice Brown, two research assistants whose skills far surpassed that of undergraduates – I’m grateful for your passion, commitment, and hunger to learn. Thank you to my colleagues and peers who read drafts, provided feedback, gave pep talks, and gave me the space to feel the full range of emotions that comes with the dissertation process; thank you Carra Johnson, Sofia Espana Perez, Matt Gonzalez, Adam Hansell, Dr. Robert Hilliard, Dr. Erika Van Dyke, Seth Swary, Bill Way, Dr. Zenzi Huysmans, Tommy Minkler, and Blake Costalupas. As a final thank you, I thank my family. My parents, Barry and Lise, they are the foundation of who I am as a person, woman, helper, and giver. The Garretts, Gary and Melissa, who stepped in and adopted me into their family, took care of me and loved me when my family was far away. Shane, who has been by my side through it all. He was a source of unconditional love and late-night motivational speeches. He believed in me more than I did and made me laugh Every. Single. Day. BODY EXPERIENCES OF FEMALE EXERCISERS IN FITNESS CENTERS iv Table of