Experiences with Exercise: Differences in Exercise Based on Gender, Self-concept, and Evaluation Apprehension

This study is a self-report questionnaire in which we instructed participants to record the machines they use during exercise as well as the frequency and duration of their workout. In addition, we asked the participants to... [ view full abstract ]

This study is a self-report questionnaire in which we instructed participants to record the machines they use during exercise as well as the frequency and duration of their workout. In addition, we asked the participants to report the amount of additional people who are typically present at the gym, and to rate their comfort level when the gym is crowded on a 9-point scale (1 extremely, 9 not at all) to determine how rushed, anxious, motivated, and social they feel while working out. Participants then completed a revised version of the Fear of Negative Evaluation Scale, which measures an individual’s fear of being negatively evaluated by other people in a social setting. For the purpose of this study, we altered the directions to instruct participants to answer the questions based on the scenario of going to the gym. Participants also filled out the Body Objectification Scale. The scale consisted of 10 questions regarding body attributes that were rated from 0-9 (0 least impact, 9 greatest impact) based on how much the body attribute factors into one’s self-concept. The participants were asked to rate physical coordination, health, weight, strength, sex appeal, physical attractiveness, energy level, muscles, physical fitness level, and body measurements. We aimed to find a significant effect of gender, hypothesizing that female participants will report more cardiovascular exercise and higher levels of evaluation apprehension whereas male participants will report more strength training exercise and lower levels of evaluation apprehension. We also hypothesized that participants who rate themselves as feeling more rushed and anxious when the gym is crowded will work out during low capacity times, whereas participants who rate themselves as being motivated and social when the gym is crowded will choose to work out during high capacity times. We plan to correlate the importance of weight and physical attractiveness to body image. We hope to use the results of this study to determine feelings people have about going to the gym. By understanding feelings people have about going to the gym and exercising, we can make gyms more equipped to cater to the needs of both men and women. Catering to these needs can help increase the number of people who work out and help the world become healthier.