An Auto-Ethnographical Exercise in The Gym: Social Hierarchies, Spatial Practices, and Identity Formation
Overview
This auto-ethnographical paper examines the gym as a social institution, analyzing how different gym spaces (hardcore 'spit and sawdust' gyms versus modern lifestyle club gyms) construct distinct social cultures, norms, and embodied experiences. The author explores how spatial arrangements, social hierarchies, and cultural codes shape member behaviors and identity formation, with particular focus on Gold's Gym in Los Angeles as a case study.
What this essay covers
- Introduction to gym as social institution with norms on hierarchies, training techniques, and spatial practices
- Comparative analysis of 'spit and sawdust' gyms versus modern lifestyle club gyms, their characteristics, demographics, and cultural values
- Discussion of social etiquette, routinized programs, and bodily performances in corporate gym spaces
- Auto-ethnographical observation of Gold's Gym in Los Angeles and its embodiment of hardcore training approach
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An Auto-Ethnographical Exercise in The Gym
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An Auto-Ethnographical Exercise in The Gym
The gym is a social institution with its norms on social hierarchies, training techniques, codes of conduct, and spatial practices. Gym spaces and their spatial arrangements affect users’ behaviors, identity creation, connections, embodied experiences. For instance, ‘spit and sawdust’ gyms tend to be minimalistic and the spaces within this type of gyms are socially and culturally constructed to be hypermasculine, chauvinistic, and ragged. On the other hand, modern lifestyle club gyms are opulent, functional, and lavish and the social spaces are constructed to be liberal, private, and inclusive. ‘Spit and sawdust’ gyms tend to be populated by experienced weightlifters keen on reshaping their fitness goals by exchanging corporeal knowledge on lifting techniques, nutrition and supplementation, and body programming. The primal focus of this type of hardcore gyms is utilitarianism and making the body stronger: there is therefore no need for opulence, cleanliness, or any features that communicate any sense of comfort. Hardcore gym goers embrace the crudeness of these gym spaces and interpret their utilitarianism as an embodiment of grit and masculinity in taking one’s training to the next level.
‘Spit and sawdust’ gyms are popular among experienced weightlifters who not only take pride in their physique but also like to be surrounded by hyper-muscled members who are willing to take risks, stick to extreme diets, and even engage in steroid use.