Fit Femininity

Body Image

Can Fitness Instructors Create a Body-Positive Environment?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on November 10, 2024

Group fitness instructors can focus on health to avoid external pressure to shape one’s body toward the fit ideal, but this may not entirely alleviate body obsession and critique.

Group fitness instructors can focus on health to avoid external pressure to shape one’s body toward the fit ideal, but this may not entirely alleviate body obsession and critique.

Body Image

Even Fitness Instructors Need to Work on Body Image

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on August 8, 2024

Fitness instructors battle with negative body image due to external pressures from their industry. Research suggests ways they can improve their body image.

Fitness instructors battle with negative body image due to external pressures from their industry. Research suggests ways they can improve their body image.

Body Image

Is Ballet Bad for Body Image?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on May 8, 2024

Professional ballerinas are at risk of having an eating disorder and many are unhappy with their bodies. Recreational ballet dancers, however, can feel good about their bodies.

Professional ballerinas are at risk of having an eating disorder and many are unhappy with their bodies. Recreational ballet dancers, however, can feel good about their bodies.

Media

What Is a Yoga Body?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on February 19, 2024

Yoga is now marketed through print journals and social media to women consumers. The media images of the yoga body do not always reflect real-life yoga practice.

Yoga is now marketed through print journals and social media to women consumers. The media images of the yoga body do not always reflect real-life yoga practice.

Body Positivity

Feeling Not So Positive About Your Body While Exercising?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

Many women struggle to feel good in their bodies. Attention to body awareness can help us feel more positive about exercise and lead to improved well-being.

Many women struggle to feel good in their bodies. Attention to body awareness can help us feel more positive about exercise and lead to improved well-being.

Media

How to Judge an Instagram Workout

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on August 17, 2023

Many influencers offer exercise advice on Instagram, but it is difficult to know what workouts are good. A new tool can help.

Many influencers offer exercise advice on Instagram, but it is difficult to know what workouts are good. A new tool can help.

Stress

How to Learn to Relax

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on May 18, 2023

Relaxation can reduce stress. Learning to relax is a physical skill that requires work and patience.

Relaxation can reduce stress. Learning to relax is a physical skill that requires work and patience.

Education

What We Can Learn from Women Who Take Adult Ballet Classes

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on February 22, 2023

Ballet is often seen as a sport for the young. But several studies find that ballet can be a joyful, healthy pursuit at any age, even old age.

Ballet is often seen as a sport for the young. But several studies find that ballet can be a joyful, healthy pursuit at any age, even old age.

Body Image

Exploring the Body Positivity Movement

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on November 27, 2022

Are you tired of feeling bad about your body? The body positivity movement can promote a positive body image.

Are you tired of feeling bad about your body? The body positivity movement can promote a positive body image.

Bias

How Do We Recognize Weight Bias?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on August 22, 2022

Are you aware of weight bias? It is important to look for alternative exercise goals to weight loss.

Are you aware of weight bias? It is important to look for alternative exercise goals to weight loss.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Will Online Fitness Classes Disappear?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on May 21, 2022

Will online fitness classes disappear? Not everyone is prepared to return to gym after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Will online fitness classes disappear? Not everyone is prepared to return to gym after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eating Disorders

Why Eating Disorders Have Escalated During the Pandemic

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on February 23, 2022

Why have eating disorders spiked during the pandemic? Researchers find that stress may have triggered out-of-control eating and excessive exercise.

Why have eating disorders spiked during the pandemic? Researchers find that stress may have triggered out-of-control eating and excessive exercise.

Environment

Can Activewear Degrade the Environment?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on November 20, 2021

Are you washing your workout gear after every use? Adjusting laundering can help save the environment.

Are you washing your workout gear after every use? Adjusting laundering can help save the environment.

Body Image

Are Yoga Pants Bad for Body Image?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on August 24, 2021

Wearing form-fitting workout gear is more popular than ever. Does this fashion trend increase women's body dissatisfaction?

Wearing form-fitting workout gear is more popular than ever. Does this fashion trend increase women's body dissatisfaction?

Media

Can a Digital Exercise Community Empower You to Keep Fit?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on May 24, 2021

Are you looking for inspiration to exercise? Sharing bodily imperfections with a digital community can motivate you to build a fit body.

Are you looking for inspiration to exercise? Sharing bodily imperfections with a digital community can motivate you to build a fit body.

Media

Does "Fitspiration" Empower Exercisers?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on February 26, 2021

Research demonstrates alarming links between "fitspiration" and "thinspiration."

Research demonstrates alarming links between "fitspiration" and "thinspiration."

Spirituality

Does Living a Yoga Lifestyle Mean Strict Discipline?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on November 27, 2020

Does living a Yoga lifestyle mean being always disciplined, calm, and effortlessly flexible? Dedicated practitioners can understand their daily Yoga in multiple ways.

Does living a Yoga lifestyle mean being always disciplined, calm, and effortlessly flexible? Dedicated practitioners can understand their daily Yoga in multiple ways.

Health

Is Turning Out Your Feet at the Barre a Good Glute Burner?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on September 4, 2020

Is pointing your feet outwards at the barre bad for your knees? A barre workout can be effective with proper alignment.

Is pointing your feet outwards at the barre bad for your knees? A barre workout can be effective with proper alignment.

Media

Does Research on Physical Activity Not Include Black Women?

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on June 17, 2020

How do African-American women find empowering exercise spaces? Recent research suggests that social connection is an important factor.

How do African-American women find empowering exercise spaces? Recent research suggests that social connection is an important factor.

Career

Why Marathons Work for Moms

Pirkko Markula Ph.D. on March 27, 2020

Are you looking for alternative ways to exercise that aren't at a gym? Running outside can be empowering.

Are you looking for alternative ways to exercise that aren't at a gym? Running outside can be empowering.