The Evolution of Bodybuilding/Fitness Through Digital Cooperation

Bilal Shah

**Background Information**

Bodybuilding has gained a lot of
popularity over the course of the past half century. It has evolved into a way
of life that millions of individuals follow. This phenomenon is believed to be
established by Eugen Sandow, who is considered the father of bodybuilding. "Ah! That is not my
case.  I just eat and drink what I want, when I want.  Good,
wholesome, plain food I find to be best." (Sandow pg. 135). However
his contribution is somewhat belittled by the emergence of the internet. Anyone
with access to the internet is capable of making a contribution and also taking
from it. Through websites like bodybuilding.com, muscleandfitness.com,
crossfit.com etc. many fitness enthusiast individuals have surfaced to supply a
great deal of helpful tips, and information to others. This act of
collaboration is vast as it extends into hundreds of thousands of websites and
forums. The collaboration is often done through debate on different realms of
fitness. The debates are usually conducted in a free for all manner, where
every individuals is able to state their opinion based on a certain question.
The authentication of the information is in the hands of the reader as most of
the information in the blogs/websites/ forums is backed up by personal experience
rather than scientific research.

There has also been a rise of
YouTube fitness trainers that have committed themselves to help others. This
participatory culture of videos resembles that of the written word which
resembles information given verbally from a fellow fitness enthusiast. However
the authenticity/scientific backing of the information is questioned here as
well. The way the communication is conducted is different. A Fitness
trainer/guru states his/her opinion in a video format and the viewers usually
leave comments based on what they think is accurate.

**Why is this Research Important?**

This research is essential because
it is aimed to address the validity of the quality of data being collaborated.
This information given by contributors can be harmful to the individuals
starting their fitness journey. Not only could it affect their time but also
their health and financial security.

The smart phones today are flooded
with application that may be useful to track ones fitness routine. There has
been a great emphasis on ease of use and easy access to content. "I've
been using S Health now for about 2 months every week at least 2 - 3 times a
week for the exercise portion. I have had the pedometer on basically for the
length of the time I've had the phone counting my every step. I've bought the
Samsung Fit and now record my sleep as well as my heart rate while exercising,
and I do have to agree that this app is very basic as far as exercise options.
In fact, that's what Samsung wanted to do, to create an app that would be
simple enough for the average individual who buys the smartphone to get
motivated to live a healthier lifestyle” (Devine 2014). This application helps
one create data but the interpretation of that data accurately is important. If
the user is following advice that is not credible, it can have negative
repercussion not just on the person himself but also the people he/she shares
the information with.

**Research Question** **&** **why is this Question Important?**

Through the development of
participatory culture in the bodybuilding universe, there has been rise of the
term bro-science. In where the information coming from a person of large
physical presence is taken predominately without scientific research. What are
the possible negative impacts from this practice? And how has it transcended
into different platforms? There has been several different claims made by
individuals that others have taken upon them to prove its validity. Through
this they are able to concretely state whether a claim is a myth or fact. By
analyzing different medium of communication of fitness, one can spot a trend
and attempt to find a way to separate credible information from others.

**Methods**

The research will be conducted by
looking at fitness trends of the past and how it compares to today. There have
been a change in language associated with different elements which have been
greatly impacted by the media present at the time. Also a qualitative method
will be adopted where the users of these apps/websites will be interviewed for
possible changes that have equated from the rise of the internet. They will be
asked question regarding their experience with the feedback received online and
how credible did they deem it. Their opinions will play a role in determining
the depth at which the online community plays a role in their fitness routine.
The dependency upon these services will be measured by participating myself in
the forums and applications.

**Boarder**
Concepts

There are many of areas of study
where this topic is relevant. The contribution of users on this forum can be
considered “free labor” as they have no monetary gain from it. They assumedly
do it for the same reasons software develop free software. The passion for the
task and its growth/awareness. This also ties with fan culture as there are groups
that prefer one way of fitness over the other. For example: Some people prefer
to working out one major muscle group while others prefer upper and lower body
split. The effectiveness of either or can vary based on the individual rather
than the exercises.

**Possible**
Sources

Sandow,
E., & Adam, G. (1894). *Sandow on physical training a study in the*
perfect type of the human form ... *New York: J.S. Tait & Sons.*

Devine,
R. (2014, July 30). Using the S Health app on the Samsung Galaxy S5. From http://www.androidcentral.com/using-s-health-app-samsung-galaxy-s5

10 of the most absurd claims in the
Fitness Industry: “Bro-Science” Dispelled: Shytown. (n.d.). From
http://www.shyacademy.com/bro-science-dispelled-10-of-the-most-absurd-claims-by-fitness-resources/

Bro, Do You Even Lift And The
History of Trending Lifting Terms. (2014, December 23). From
http://gainweightjournal.com/bro-do-you-even-lift-and-the-history-of-trending-lifting-terms/

Elliot, D. (2010, July 5). 5
Nutrition And Training Myths of Bro Science vs. Exercise Science, Part 3! From
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/5-nutrition-training-myths-bro-science-vs-exercise-science-part3.htm

Eunjang Cha, A. (2015, September 5).
Scientists tested 30 Apple iPhone fitness apps for the quality of their
workouts. Guess how many passed? From
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/07/31/scientists-tested-30-apple-iphone-fitness-apps-for-the-quality-of-their-workouts-guess-how-many-passed/

How Can One Use The Internet To Help
With Their Fitness Goals? (2009, July 6). From
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/internet\_helps\_fitness\_goals.htm

Kleeman, S. (2015, September 30).
Turns Out Fitness Apps Really Do Help You Exercise More - Here's Why. From
http://mic.com/articles/126041/best-fitness-apps-and-why-they-help-us-exercise-more

Nordin, P. (2013, January 2). 25
More Fitness Myths Crushed By Pauline Nordin! From
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/25-more-fitness-myths-crushed-by-pauline-nordin.html

Siteman, D. (n.d.). Mike Chang Has
the #1 Fitness Channel on YouTube: How the Heck Did He Do It? From http://www.therisetothetop.com/interviews-guests/how-did-mike-chang-get-the-number-one-fitness-channel-on-youtube/

Team, G. (2014, December 31). Gabe
Moen: How the Internet Changed Bodybuilding | Generation Iron. From
http://generationiron.com/gabe-moen-internet-changed-bodybuilding/