The effect of Instagram fitness influencers on young adult women’s personal gym experiences
Date of Award
Summer 6-28-2023
Document Type
Non Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Exercise Science
Department
Kinesiology
First Advisor
Amanda Kelley
Abstract
Fitness accounts on Instagram have been shown to influence women in the gym. There is conflicting evidence showing that the influences are both negative, such as spreading misinformation and body image issues, and positive, such as increasing body appreciation. Data will be collected from young women (18-30 years old) using online surveys and in-person interviews in order to see how Instagram fitness influencer accounts affect their gym practices. It may be found that Instagram fitness influencer accounts have had a predominantly negative effect on young women, by lowering gym-users confidence, motivation, and body image levels; on the other hand, it may be found that the influencers may have had a predominantly positive effect on young women, by increasing these same levels. Influencers may use this information to choose to post content that may create a positive experience for their followers, while followers may use this information to make positive choices about which fitness accounts to follow.