EXPLORING THE EMPOWERING AND DISEMPOWERING ASPECTS OF COMPETITIVE FEMALE BODYBUILDING

Abstract

This study aimed to understand the empowering and disempowering experiences of female bodybuilders who have previously participated in a competition. Basic interpretative qualitative research explored the emotional well-being of eight competitive female bodybuilders between 28 and 42 years old (Merriam, 2002). The participants had participated in at least one bodybuilding competition, including various divisions such as bikini, body fitness, wellness, figure, glamour, and physique. Bikini competitors are scored on proportion, symmetry, balance, shape, and skin tone, as well as their walk, posing, and presentation (Owen, 2015). These competitors wear a bikini and high heels to highlight an hourglass figure (Owen, 2015). Body fitness is a division between bikini and figure (UFE Shows, 2017). The competitors are scored on fitness level, athleticism, confidence, and muscle definition (UFE Shows, 2017). Body fitness has two rounds where competitors wear various costumes, such as swimwear, sportswear, and Halloween costumes (UFE Shows, 2017). Wellness is another division that is a cross between bikini and figure. The main difference is that wellness competitors have a muscular and well-defined lower body with a less defined upper body (Owen, 2015). Therefore, their suit includes the figure competitor's bottom and the bikini competitor's top (Owen, 2015). The figure division is a cross between bodybuilding and fitness (Owen, 2015). Competitors are scored on symmetry, presentation, and skin tone. Figure competitors have large and defined shoulders and upper back, a tiny waist, and shapely glutes and quads; as such, they do poses that present their well-defined physiques (Owen, 2015). Glamour is a division in which competitors range from bikini to women’s fitness (UFE Shows, 2017). This division has two distinct rounds where competitors wear swimwear and theme wear. The competitors are scored based on what musculature looks best for their body types. Lastly, physique competitors are scored on femininity, symmetry, muscle tone, presentation, and skin tone (Owen, 2015). The competitors must do a choreographed routine to music and comparison judging. Semi-structured interviews were the basis for data collection. The semi-structured interviews asked open-ended questions with probes designed to draw out more detail and explanation (Trainor, 2013). Thematic analysis identified, analyzed, and recorded patterns (themes) across data sets associated with the specific research questions (Braun & Clarke, 2006). The theories of self-determination theory (SDT), cognitive evaluation theory (CET), and social cognitive theory were used as lenses while applying thematic analysis. There was four themes: (1) Body shaping and training: Acknowledging the importance of nutrition and training while participating in bodybuilding competitions; (2) Mental discipline and wellbeing: exploring the mental and physical effects of participating in bodybuilding competitions; (3) Social life and extraneous impacts: Reflecting the impact that bodybuilding has on one’s social relationships; (4) Changes and outcomes: Overcoming personal and social obstacles. Overall, this study found that the benefits of competing in a bodybuilding competition outweighed the costs (i.e., some benefits included feelings of empowerment, euphoria, increases in health and strength, and some costs included a decline in mental and physical health, stigma, and social isolation). Lastly, this study concluded with the strengths and limitations of the study and implications for future research.