Shaping the Body, Shaping the Mind: Body Esteem and Emotions in Gym Training
Anna Wołpiuk-Ochocińska
University of Rzeszów, Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Department of Psychologyhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4316-7308
Abstract
Objective: Physical activity is widely recognized as an important factor supporting psychological well-being; however, its emotional outcomes may depend on individual motivations and body-related self-perceptions. The present study examines the relationship between gym-based physical activity, body esteem, and positive and negative emotional experiences as key dimensions of psychological well-being.
Method: The study involved 209 adult gym users who completed the Body Esteem Scale (BES) by Franzoi and Shields and the Scale of Positive and Negative Experience (SPANE) by Diener et al. Participants also provided information regarding their exercise motivations and training characteristics. Correlational analyses and regression models were applied to examine relationships between body esteem, exercise motivation, and emotional experiences.
Results: Exercise duration was positively associated with body esteem, particularly with perceptions of physical strength and fitness. Recreational motivation for gym use was positively correlated with positive emotional experiences, whereas rehabilitation-related motivation was associated with a stronger sense of physical attractiveness. Affective balances and overall affective balance showed significant positive correlations with all dimensions of body esteem, including physical fitness, body strength, and sexual attractiveness. Regression analyses indicated that recreational motivation and body esteem dimensions related to physical condition and strength were significant predictors of positive emotional experiences.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that gym-based physical activity can support psychological well-being primarily through positive body esteem and intrinsically oriented exercise motivations. Emphasizing recreational and fitness-related goals, rather than appearance-focused outcomes, may enhance the emotional benefits of gym participation and contribute to healthier body-related self-perceptions. Interestingly, the lack of significant differences between gym users and gym non-users may suggest that the benefits of physical activity may depend less on the specific form of exercise and more on the reasons for practicing it and the individual’s perception of their own body.
Keywords:
physical exercise, gym, emotional balance, positive and negative experiences, body image, body self-esteemReferences
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University of Rzeszów, Faculty of Health Sciences and Psychology, Department of Psychology
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4316-7308
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