An Exploration of Fitspiration Content on Social Media and Chinese Young People’s Insight Into Their Experiences of It: Gender-Based Differences

Abstract

This study aims to identify the characteristics of fitspiration content on Chinese social media through content analysis and investigate the insight of fitspiration consumers and the effects of fitspiration on their lives from a gendered perspective through semi-structured interviews. Therefore, this study analyzed 4,142 images from 2,223 fitspiration posts and recruited 20 young Chinese adults for interviews. The study found that people’s bodies are the most emphasized in this content, posts portraying muscular bodies for men and toned bodies for women have increased, and women’s sexual objectification is more prolific than men’s. This study found that men are critical, cautious, and goal-oriented in selecting fitspiration content, while women are more accepting and less critical of such posts. Interestingly, men were more frustrated and anxious about ideal bodies being unattainable, while women admired posters’ ideal bodies and positive lifestyles.