Exercise and Health: Examination of the Relationship between Gym Attendance, Mental Health, and Perceptions of Body Image

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between frequency of gym attendance, workout length, happiness, and perceptions of self-esteem, appearance, and the benefits of exercise. A total of 85 participants (48 females, 37 males) completed eight self-report measures, including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (Rosenberg, 1989), the Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (Veale et al., 2013), the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (Phillips, 2005), the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (Zeeck et al., 2018), the Exercise Benefits/Barriers scale (Sechrist et al., 1987), and two additional measures reporting weekly gym attendance and duration. Results showed that the frequency of weekly gym attendance and time spent in the gym had no relationship to Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Muscle Dysmorphia (MD), and appearance anxiety. Time spent in the gym had no relationship to BDD, MD, and appearance anxiety. However, both frequency of gym attendance and workout duration had a strong positive relationship to beneficial views of exercise and self-esteem. Lastly, happiness was found to have no relationship with the frequency of gym attendance but had a positive relationship with the amount of time spent at the gym. Overall, it was concluded that gym attendance in general helps to improve certain aspects of mental health, perhaps through creating a more positive self-perception and increased subjective happiness