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International Review for the Sociology of Sport
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New Zealand Bodybuilder Identities

Beyond Homogeneity

Anne Probert

Massey University, New Zealand, aprobert{at}xtra.co.nz

Sarah Leberman

Massey University, New Zealand

Farah Palmer

Massey University, New Zealand

Existing research implies bodybuilders are a homogenous group with gender, power, control and empowerment, as well as afflictions such as personal inadequacies, dominating scholarly thinking concerning their identity. External critiques have frequently portrayed bodybuilders in a negative light, whilst phenomenological accounts have emphasized participant's positive experiences. This research has focused on bodybuilder identity in New Zealand. Some 382 competitive bodybuilders completed a questionnaire as part of a three-year project. Factor analysis generated the following themes: Self-Life Enhancement; Bodybuilder Lifestyle; Body Manipulation; Physical Attractiveness Tool; Healthy-Balanced Self-Image; The Price of Bodybuilding and An Extreme Competitive Aesthetic Pursuit. The findings suggest that there is heterogeneity in bodybuilder identities and whilst bodybuilding may positively reinforce identity construction, it may also lead to identity conflicts, negative experiences and self-risk.

Key Words: bodybuilding • identity • multiple identities • sport

International Review for the Sociology of Sport, Vol. 42, No. 1, 5-26 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/1012690207081921
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[Abstract] [PDF]