Female Fitness in the Blogosphere

Gender, Health, and the Body

Bibliographic Data

ID3313956
AuthorsJesper Andreasson (0000-0003-1631-6475, Linnaeus University), Thomas Johansson (0000-0003-1798-570X)
Year2013
Volume3
Issue3
Publication date2013-07-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSAGE Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2158-2440 • E-ISSN: 2158-2440
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/2158244013497728
OpenAlexW2129708627
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited23

This article analyzes self-portrayals and gender constructions among female personal trainers within an Internet-mediated framework of fitness culture. The empirical material comes from a close examination of three strategically selected blogs. The result shows that some of the blogs clearly build upon what Connell calls emphasized femininity, as a means of legitimizing and constructing appropriate female fitness. In addition, there are also tendencies of sexualization in text and imagery present. As such, these self-representations are framed within a cultural history of body fitness dominated by stereotypical ways of perceiving masculinity and femininity. However, this does not capture the entire presentation of the self among the analyzed fitness bloggers. The blogs also point in the direction of ongoing negotiations and subversions of traditional gender norms. Among other things, they show how irony and humor are used as a means of questioning normative gender constructions while empowering female fitness and bodyliness

Blogosphere · Epistemology · Femininity · Human sexuality · Masculinity · Normative · Sexualization · Sociology · The Internet · Gender Studies · Gender Studies in Language · Media, Gender, and Advertising · Psychology · Social Psychology · Sports, Gender, and Society

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