Reevaluating Healthism: Navigating Health and Fitness in Non-Commercial Gym Environments

Healthism, introduced by Robert Crawford in 1980, critiques the focus on personal health as central to well-being, especially seen in holistic health and self-care movements of the 1970s. Big-box gyms reflect this individualistic mindset, allowing people to pursue personal health goals independently. However, non-commercial gyms that prioritize community health often implement initiatives to foster social connections, challenging this individualism.

This study, based on ethnography and interviews in three types of non-commercial gyms (university, non-profit, and government), explores how adult fitness practitioners discuss health and fitness across age, gender, class, and race. Findings show older adults focus on reducing health risks, but they resist individual responsibility by leveraging social resources, such as networking and health insurance benefits. In contrast, younger adults view health as secondary to other personal goals, such as career and academic success. Despite differences in age, non-commercial gyms are valued for their inclusivity.

The study refines Crawford's framework by emphasizing that wellness is not solely about health risk reduction but also personal development. It challenges the notion that individual responsibility dominates, highlighting how social bonds and institutional resources shape fitness motivations, particularly among diverse age groups.