Research Project
Yim 1
Yim 7
Chunho Yim
Tracey Montoya
Eng 102
December 1, 2018
American Fitness Culture
Andreasson, J., & Johansson, T. (2014). The fitness revolution. Historical transformations in the global gym and fitness culture. Sport science review, 23(3-4), 91-111.
The article presents a case for the global revolution of fitness. In this article, the authors present a case that the fitness and gym industry has been on an upward growth since the 20th century. The growing demands to keep fit is supported by the health benefits of the various fitness programs. The authors note that the fitness industry has grown as a result of research and development of new techniques to transform the industry. It is for this reason that global membership to the gym is growing. In some cases, families are now purchasing gym equipment into their homes to make fitness a daily program. The article provides an in-depth analysis of the fitness culture and why its growth is rapid. The article will enrich the research by providing a perspective into the gym and fitness industry and how it is helping to develop the American fitness culture. The article is recent adding to its credibility when used for research.
Hampton, H. (2015, Jan 08). Exercise and American Culture. US Sport History. Retrieved from https://ussporthistory.com/2015/01/08/exercise-and-american-culture/
The article provides a historical background to fitness culture in America. The author details the fitness throughout different years and how certain political figures supported the culture of fitness. The issue of fitness among women is also addressed and how women have been able to engage in workouts to promote their health. The author argues that there have been many changes when it comes to fitness to the current age where fitness is considered a health requirement. The emergence of exercises such as CrossFit and the movement behind it has persuaded many people to be mindful about their health. The result of this new fitness culture has seen a reduction in the spread of diseases. In my research, the insights on fitness throughout history will be incorporated to provide better analysis of fitness culture in America. The views of the author will help me present a case for the continued pursuit of fitness among Americans.
Havrilesky, H. (2014, Oct. 14). Why are Americans so Fascinated with Extreme Fitness? The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/magazine/why-are-americans-so-fascinated-with-extreme-fitness.html
The article brings a case as to why Americans are fascinated with fitness. The culture of fitness had grown right from the 60s when people used to be ridiculed for their fitness habits. In the article, the author paints a picture of how the current society is obsessed with fitness programs. The need to stay healthy, look attractive and be flexible are some of the reasons why the larger population is engaging in physical exercise. The increasing trend of diseases that are associated with poor lifestyles is persuading people to exercise. It is for this reason that various movements are coming up to support the culture of fitness. Besides, people have made fitness part of their lifestyle in America. The article will provide resourceful information on the reason behind extreme fitness by Americans. The article also provides personalized interviews of individuals which would enrich the research concerning credibility.
Hentges, S. (2013). Women and fitness in American culture. McFarland.
The article provides a personalized account of fitness from the female perspective. In her work, Hentges explores fitness from the perspective of being a woman, the challenges, opportunities and the significant milestones that have been made in the industry. The author notes that fitness was something that was initially meant for meant. However, there has been a chance on the issue of fitness where women are now part of the fitness culture. The American fitness culture is gender inclusive with more women now taking part in various fitness programs. The engagement in sports and the need to keep a healthy lifestyle has persuaded more women to join the fitness bandwagon. The personalized account of fitness from the perspective of female gender will provide insights that will enrich my research. The author is an expert on gender studies, and her contribution to my research will add not only quality but also credibility to the study.
Dawson, M. C. (2017). CrossFit: Fitness cult or reinventive institution? International review for the sociology of sport, 52(3), 361-379.
The article explores CrossFit exercises on how it has been able to transform the fitness culture. CrossFit is described as an exercise that combines various movements that are timed. These workouts can be done by anyone something that has improved the level of fitness in the country. CrossFit is an exercise that has become so popular with certain people arguing that it has become a cult while others comment that it is a reinvented institution. Regarding fitness, this kind of exercise seems to favor people of all works of life. It is something that has been able to make people love exercising due to the health benefits it offers. The choice of this work in my research is that it will help to explain simple exercises that have made up the fitness culture in America. It will further explore how exercising is related to fitness and why it is taking over the whole country.
Fakhouri, T. H., Hughes, J. P., Burt, V. L., Song, M., Fulton, J. E., & Ogden, C. L. (2014). Physical activity in US youth aged 12-15 years, 2012. NCHS data brief, (141), 1-8.
The journal article provides statistical data on the nature of physical fitness among American youth. In the article National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey surveyed to identify the various programs that engage the youth in exercise programs. The survey found out that basketball was the major sporting activity that engaged the boys physically. For the girls, cycling was preferred even though some played basketball. These statistics represented a decrease in youth who were physically fit. The data also showed that majority of the youth were gaining weight at an alarming rate. Despite engagement in sporting activities, the impact on the youth population was alarming. The findings from this article are useful in explaining the fitness culture and why the youth are still lagging in engaging in rapid fitness activities. The article would also enrich the research by identifying the section of the population that is dragging the culture of fitness in America.
Kuhn, S. (2013). The culture of CrossFit: a lifestyle prescription for optimal health and fitness.
In this article, the greater focus is on the establishment of fitness movements. These movements have been created to spearhead the message of healthy living to fight diseases that are considered physical ailments. Under the CrossFit movement, the article explores the efforts that this movement has been able to achieve through the development of an intensity-functional exercise. The movement understands the role in which physical exercise contribute to the health and fight against the disease. The work of this movement is conducted based on research, and all its undertakings are done after a series of research. The movement combines different strategies to achieve healthy living including the choice of the right diet and exercise program. The article will help to shed more light on how certain institutions are helping to establish American fitness culture. It will also provide insights into how diet can be combined with exercise to achieve desired fitness levels.
McKenzie, S. (2013). Getting physical: The rise of fitness culture in America. Lawrence: University Press of Kansas.
In this book, the author provides an historical account of the rise of fitness movement in America. McKenzie argues that the fitness culture started way before the cold war and was used as a way of preparation to the cold war. Ever since physical fitness was seen as a means of promoting healthy lifestyle amid the rising obesity of children. The author credits president Eisenhower for launching a youth fitness council that would help the youth to advance the fitness movement. In the book, the author documents perception surrounding fitness culture and how it has been able to evolve. Gay people were observed to be obsessed with fitness, but this is something that has changed over time. The contents of this book will enrich my research by providing a historical background of the American fitness culture. It will further provide information on the challenges faced by people in the fitness industry. An experienced author has written the book in the field of fitness. Besides, it is recent making it a quality resource for scholarly research.
Volkwein-Caplan, K. (2013). Sport Fitness Culture (Vol. 12). Meyer & Meyer Verlag.
Sports is considered a source of fitness globally. The development of sporting activities has in the recent past focused on fitness levels that improve not only health but also psychological wellness. In this article, the author focuses on how sports is contributing to the fitness culture in America. Sports have been advanced to make it a profession that allows people to earn a living. The revenues generated from sports inspires most people to engage in sporting activities at an early age. The result is the advancement of fitness levels and the creation of a society that adores fitness. The article explores different cultures and their attitudes toward sports. All these are analyzed by the author to present a case for sports as a right source of fitness. The article will enrich my study by explaining how sporting activities are contributing to the growing fitness culture in America. The article is recent, and the authors are experienced adding to its credibility in research.
Whorton, J. C. (2014). Crusaders for fitness: The history of American health reformers (Vol. 527). Princeton University Press.
The article still explores the history of fitness culture with much regard to health. The authors of the book explore the health reform as a means of which fitness culture was developed. The need to stay healthy and avoid diseases is the reason behind fitness something that became famous with affluent societies. In America, the wealthy were the first to reform to fitness culture as they were most affected by lifestyle diseases. However, the culture shifted to the whole society with middle-class Americans enrolling in fitness clubs and gym centers. The last decade has seen a significant transformation in fitness culture with Americans viewing fitness has a way of life. The contents of this book provide different perspectives that made people aware of the need to keep fit. The book is also recent and captures issues relating to the current society. All these coupled with the experience of the authors add to the credibility of the book when used for scholarly research.