The Gym as a Culture of Body Achievement: Exploring Negative and Positive Body Image Experiences in Men Attending University

This study qualitatively explored the body image experiences of men attending university ( N = 20). Participants were interviewed about comfortable and uncomfortable body-related situations. Participants also completed a measure of drive for muscularity. A thematic analysis was conducted. The results showed that the most commonly identified comfortable situation was the gym and was characterized by opportunities for positive social comparison …