Ethnography Paper Essay Example

the connection between sociological aspects of healthy lifestyles and the influence of peer groups in a specific environment. It also brings attention to the prevalence of gender roles, as observed: males tend to be in the strength training area while females are more often in the cardiovascular and mats areas. These occurrences mirror society's perspective on men and women.

In this ethnography study, the man and woman conform to gender stereotypes influenced by societal expectations and peer pressure. The man prioritizes strength training in order to gain respect from his peers, while the woman concentrates on cardiovascular workouts for body toning and weight loss. Both genders feel obligated to comply with their assigned roles. Ultimately, this research underscores how different sociological theories contribute to establishing a healthy lifestyle.

The well-being of an individual is affected not only by their physical and mental health, but also by their social surroundings. The community in which individuals live plays a crucial role in shaping their health-related behaviors. This can either help or hinder their efforts to embrace a healthy way of life. Our study at Valdosta State University's Student Recreation Center aimed to explore how societal factors impact the health behaviors of students.

We conducted a study to investigate whether women feel intimidated when exercising around men in the gym aspect of the recreation center. Our purpose was to determine if women prefer men-free areas for working out or if the presence of men has no impact on them. Before our own ethnographic field study, we conducted additional research on women's experiences with gym workouts and their perspective on exercising in such spaces. The results from our study validated our initial

assumptions.

The primary finding of Frost's (2011) study is that women tend to perform better and feel more comfortable when they exercise without men present. Although the presence of men does not completely discourage most women from working out at a gym, they express a higher level of ease when there are no men around. In the absence of males, women show less hesitation in trying new workouts or routines and have no worries about sweating. This research directly addresses our main question: why do women often feel intimidated by men in a gym setting?

Our research has provided us with the ideas to move forward with our study, exploring whether women feel self-conscious about working out, regardless of the presence of men or other women. We aim to uncover the reasons behind these insecurities and understand if the design or layout of the gym plays a role in making women more comfortable (Sassatelli, 1999). To conduct our research, we observed gym behavior at the schools' Rec Center, employing an ethnographic study approach and recording our findings through field notes and observations. Since physical exercise is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, understanding these concerns is crucial.

We conducted interviews with female students at Valdosta State College who were exercising at the gym. These students were randomly selected and were observed following a specific workout routine, moving from one machine to another. We collected information such as their names, year in school, major, and frequency of weekly workouts. Ethnography involves immersing oneself in people's lives and understanding their behavior and culture by engaging with them in their natural environments.

Our research was supplemented with articles collected

and analyzed by each group member. The articles were chosen based on their relevance to our initial research findings. Some of the articles focused on the organizational aspect of gyms and its impact on the adherence of participants to their fitness routines. Additionally, one article explored the potential feminization of traditionally masculine gyms through the emergence of "women only gyms." The authors thoroughly examined various aspects such as gym layouts, customer procedures and interactions, machine usage, and employee interactions.

The initial article is valuable for our ethnography study of the Student Recreation Center as it highlights the significance of considering the layout in fitness facilities. This allows us to examine which areas of the center are most frequently occupied. Additionally, the second article serves as evidence for the usefulness of our field study as it provides a basis for comparing the coed Student Recreation Center with a women-only gym, focusing on how women and men interact in these settings. It also addresses stereotypes surrounding gyms, such as the perception that they are exclusively for men or that women who frequent these spaces are primarily interested in socializing or meeting men.

The article provided insight into those very questions. The observations we conducted were able to support the articles and prove how valid and reliable such research methods can be. Findings Through our ethnographic field study, we found many of our preconceived notions to be accurate. As a group of three women conducting a feminist approach to working out, we were able to use our own experiences and feelings towards working out in a coed student recreation center. We assumed that our personal experiences and feelings towards working

out would either be proved in conjunction with our opinions or quite the opposite.

Through participative observations and two interviews, we gained insight into the feelings of most women while exercising. Both interviewees were female college students. Kathryn, a recreational center user, did not prioritize working out. Despite being of average weight and height, she felt hindered by her current physical state while at the gym. She conveyed to Jessica that her workouts are impeded by her personal abilities rather than a gender-related matter.

This segment introduces our initial cultural theme: Physical Ability. Through one of our interviews, we discovered that it is not the presence of people or men that discourages women from exercising, but rather their own current physical ability. Kathryn shared that she often feels intimidated at the gym and self-conscious about her performance because she is not in peak physical condition. Our observation further reinforced this cultural pattern, as individuals who were less physically fit, regardless of gender, tended to exercise in less crowded areas frequented by more physically fit students.

During my observation, I witnessed a woman moving machines. Initially, she was using a treadmill beside a girl who was running at an extremely high speed. However, the woman decided to switch to an elliptical machine that was positioned separately from other machines and away from fellow exercisers. This observation, along with the interview, demonstrates that women feel self-conscious when working out if they cannot keep up with others. They have concerns about looking 'silly' or unfit. This aligns with our previous knowledge that women often feel intimidated in the gym. Furthermore, we conducted our second interview with...

Meet Courtney, an employee at the

student recreation center who not only works in a gym but is also in great physical shape. She exudes confidence and is unfazed by others watching her while she exercises. This highlights our second cultural theme: the boost in self-assurance that comes with being physically fit. Not just from our conversation with Courtney, but also from our own observations, we discovered that individuals who are in excellent physical condition have no issues with being visible during their workouts.

Observations have shown that individuals who prefer busy areas and do not mind being in the company of other students also tend to be highly sociable. These people actively approach others to initiate conversations or offer guidance at the gym. They display an air of superiority over those who are less physically fit, confidently walking with their head held high. Their confidence is evident in their willingness to perform unconventional workouts or switch between multiple machines. Rather than shying away from attention, they embrace it as it enhances their workout experience.

Observing people at the gym provides them with the extra motivation they need during their workout. In our ten observations, we discovered that the time of day influences people's dedication to exercising, thus emphasizing the importance of time of day and commitment to working out as a cultural theme. To accurately depict people's gym habits and their reasons for choosing specific times, we conducted our observations at different times throughout the day.

In the early morning, when the gym opens, it is not crowded. At this time, there are approximately 15 individuals in the entire recreation center. Most of them are faculty or staff members of the university who

prefer to exercise before starting work at 8am. While there are a few dedicated students working out, these individuals are not interested in socializing. They are solely focused on completing their workout before their day gets busy. Interactions during this time are limited to exchanging smiles while passing by. Another period we observed was between 5pm and 7pm.

At the busiest time of the recreation center, you often have to wait for a cardio machine and then wait again for a turn at the weights or mats. This time is primarily populated by students, who engage in numerous conversations. It is common for a one-hour workout to extend to two hours due to the social aspect. Our recent observation was during the closing hours of the gym, from 9pm until closing at 11:30pm. This time period is similar to the earliest time frame, but with a higher proportion of students compared to faculty and staff.

Exercising at different times of the day attracts individuals with varying levels of motivation. The sociability aspect is not as prominent compared to the busiest time, but there is a decreased sense of urgency in completing your workout within an hour. During our observation period at the recreation center, we noticed that the gym's environment and layout influence people's decision on where to work out. This introduces our fourth cultural theme, which focuses on the specific individuals attracted to the arrangement of the recreation center.

The Recreation Center is split into different sections. The ground floor contains basketball courts, racquetball courts, an aerobics room, a rock wall, and a swimming pool. On the second floor, there is a track encircling the basketball courts,

a spacious weight room with nearby cardio machines, and a separate area for free weights and some machines. It is common to see groups of people on the first floor engaging in team-oriented activities like spontaneous basketball games. While mostly attended by women, the aerobics room also has some male participation in its classes.

On the second floor, there is a noticeable segregation and separation of gym-goers. While both genders can use the cardio machines, women tend to dominate the ellipticals. The weight machines, on the other hand, are predominantly occupied by men, with very few women seen working out alongside them. Women who are interested in using weights generally head towards the secluded area where the free weights are located. This space provides a more private setting with less foot traffic, making it ideal for those who may be unsure of what they are doing or who are not in their best physical condition.

The gym layout caters to individuals' comfort zones, with more open areas attracting those in great physical shape and more secluded areas attracting beginners or those focusing on physical fitness. Our research confirmed our initial assumptions. We aimed to examine the impact of gender on workout patterns, but our findings indicated that it is not gender but physical ability that influences how individuals exercise.

We correctly assumed that individuals at their peak physical condition are highly confident in their workouts and not easily intimidated. The time of day also influenced the demographics of gym attendees. Morning workouts predominantly attracted the serious and older crowd, likely due to busier schedules. Late afternoon and evening workouts were popular among students, with dedication levels ranging

from beginner to experienced. Overall, this time period fostered social activity at the gym.

The late-night workout time was dedicated to both students who have just now made it to the gym and adults. It proved to be a more relaxed type of exercise with no hurrying and limited social interaction. The arrangement of the recreation center also indicated the preferences of different individuals in terms of workout areas and the reasons behind their choices. The physically fit individuals tended to choose open areas with a high number of people, whereas the less physically fit individuals opted for areas with fewer people present. Discussion Conclusion