Pain in movement: body and aging in the gym.

Abstract

Based on an ethnographic research at fitness clubs, this article proposes a reflection upon the experiences of the body and of aging as felt by women who attend the gym. The interest of this work relies on the understanding and ethnographic perception of the way in which these women in their forties relate to the space of the gym and to the corporeal practices performed there by them. Pursuing a displacement of the subject conceived as unique and human, the article explores the possible existent relations between gender, body, aging, pain, disease and movement. The intent is to turn perceptible the pragmatic and relational character of the experience as lived by these women when exercising and equally to question the well established concepts of health, beauty and well-being.