Being in the gym and simply observing and recording the behavior of the people there can reveal extraordinary socialization elements. At first glance, many things that are obvious to the average person become surprisingly deep in their social significance. The average visitor rarely notices the interaction between other visitors and takes it for granted. People show a willingness to help each other and help new gym members adapt to exercise and a healthy lifestyle. After learning about it in class, it felt just like I expected.
The researcher’s gaze captures not just slight differences from the usual way of actions but also their other side. Interactions similar to turning on the water, being on a belay near the bar, or sharing sports nutrition show an essential phenomenon for the gym. Athletes often seek to help other people. Many try to help beginners get used to the classes. Shaming is extremely rare because people treat beginners or people with an unsportsmanlike body with understanding (Sharon-David et al., 2021). Most of those who work out in the gym were once beginners themselves and I can calmly help them adapt. Also, regular visitors to the gym constantly help each other and motivate further activities. Toxic people are encountered, but they are treated with hostility and isolated from communication with others.
As a researcher, I would first pay more attention to the interaction of beginners with already established athletes. This phenomenon has a permanent and largely widespread character, and it is absolutely voluntary and friendly. Furthermore, it would be interesting to observe a gradual improvement in the relationship between beginners as they visit the gym. Beginners gain confidence in themselves and in what they do, and communication between two beginners or a group is extremely interesting. If I were to return to the gym, I would be directly involved in the communication processes. Considering the adaptation in a different environment from the perspective of a beginner would be useful for the study as a whole.
I went to the gym early in the morning, noting that there were not many people in the place yet. I take out my phone and prepare a note document to write my jottings; the first thing I write is: “The quiet atmosphere is nice, kind of calming.” The ones who are there already look fairly sleepy; however, after ten to fifteen minutes of exercising, they begin to look livelier. After observing for 30 minutes, I decided it would be smart to take notice of how often people take breaks to talk to each other. My jottings on the subject are as follows: “A man lifts weights for fifteen minutes, walks to get water, chats with a girl. Chats for longer than he exercises, gives her advice (seems like it), she changes settings in her equipment. He goes back to his station continues.”
After taking my notes and observing people exercising for approximately an hour, I turned my attention to the bar. My jottings on bar interactions relay the following information: “People at the bar are more relaxed and prone to easy conversation. It is less active than with people in the equipment area. It seems like the conversations stir away from physical activities and into other social settings – a girl is showing something on her phone to another girl.”
When I decide to leave, I have to make my way through a fairly crowded space. It seems like people who show up later are more put together but are not as quick to start exercising. I see people who seemingly know each other already talking without starting their routine. I say goodbye to the receptionist, who also looks more awake by that point.
Reference
Sharon-David, H., Siekanska, M., & Tenenbaum, G. (2021). Are gyms fit for all? A scoping review of the barriers and facilitators to gym-based exercise participation experienced by people with physical disabilities. Performance Enhancement & Health, 9(1), 100170. Web.