Analyzing The Cognitive Experiences Of Individuals Linked To Regular Exercise At The Gym: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA)

Abstract

Objective: As to date, little has been done to explore and understand the cognitive experiences of individuals with regular exercise at gyms in Pakistan through an in-depth qualitative analysis, therefore the study aimed to probe the cognitive experiences of the ones who had been into the practice of regular exercise and workouts at the gym.

Method: The participants i.e., males (N=3) and females (N =5), having 6 months of persistent exercising were approached from Shapes Health Studio (Fitness center/ gym), Multan, Pakistan. The age ranges of the recruited participants were from 25 to 40 years. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the data were analyzed through an interpre[1]tative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to interpret common patterns focusing on each individual’s experiences thoroughly. The Verbatim of each participant was transcribed to generate the emergent interpretative themes which were categorized into sub-ordinate themes and further into super-ordinate themes.

Results: Four super-ordinate themes emerged: (1) influence of social media and social comparison, (2) appearance vs. expectations of body image, (3) mindfulness and improved quality of life, and (4) management of physical and psychological ailments.

Conclusion: Movement gives life as it has been revealed from the super-ordinate themes that mindfulness, improved quality of life, and management of ailments like obesity reduce body appearance comparison pressures. Furthermore, psychological ailments such as depression and anxiety are also managed well when the social media influences of having a perfect body are reduced through regular exercise. It can be hoped that the current study will help raise certain persuasion as well as awareness among the population to maintain regularity in their exercises at the gym to adapt a socially active and healthy lifestyle.