Field Notes: Set Three

Field Notes: Set Three

Date: Thursday May 20^th

Time: 5:15

Location: Coors Fitness Center

My third set of field notes are comprised of an eclectic mix of observations that are to supplement my previous sets of notes. Within this set, I include some final routine locational observations, begin to identify some recurrent themes from my interviews and finally draw some conclusions as to why the segregation of sexes is so evident in the gym.

5:15 – I enter the gym as I had done so many times before and make my way up to my “observatory perch” better known as the treadmill level of the Coors Fitness Center.

5:20 – It is evident that the separation between men and women (now at the forefront of my chosen paper topic) has continued to establish itself as a norm in the gym. Men are seen dominating the lower levels (utilizing free weights and the majority of the machinery) and women have taken over the upper-level cardio vascular – based equipment.

5:30 – I am unsurprised at this point by any of the actions occurring at the gym as most of them mimic my initial records of the interactions occurring in this space. The separation of sexes is abundantly evident and it seems as though my initial observation of this dynamic was not a fleeting coincidence but an established norm within this social establishment.

5:40 – I realize that my time in merely observing surroundings, at this stage, may be wasted. It is now of the utmost importance to delve into the underlying motivations behind this distinction and uncover why it is that this fundamental difference in exercise routine occurs.

Recurrent Themes:

Although three of my more insightful interviews were outlined at great length in my previous set of field notes, to expound upon all of them would also be a misallocation of time. Instead, I have reviewed my interview notes and extracted recurrent themes that explain both why females and males separate in the gym and why gym attendance is important to men and women. This will allow me to succinctly identify some important themes that I will discuss in greater length in my final paper.

Why Males and Females are segregated –

· An intimidation factor where men dominate lower level gym floor

· A stigma associated with a “bulkier” girl

· A fundamental difference in fitness goals/differing perceptions of attractiveness

Importance of gym to men and women –

· For women, it seems as though gym attendance revolves around a desire to pacify anxieties or insecurities. They utilize the gym to maintain both a healthy body, but more importantly, to cultivate a strong self conscious and self-image. Essentially, women use the gym to hedge against excessive consumption that is inherently associated with collegiate life. They too however uses this space, occasionally, as a social realm and maintain a presence on campus.

· In men I found that a recurring theme was the gym was utilized also to enhance a self-image. But for men, gaining mass (completely opposite of the female objective) was desired as it implicated time and dedication to self-improvement. Men used this space to establish a sense of self amidst the widely varying social hierarchy. Astonishingly, nearly every male who was interviewed said that having women on the upper level effected them in some way.