This book explores the experiences of self-identified heterosexual and gay men in contemporary South African gym contexts, particularly as it relates to how the intersection of spornosexual and inclusive masculinities inform their views and enactment of their masculine and sexual identities. Chapters engage with findings from an in-depth qualitative sociological exploration on issues surrounding these masculinities among men living in South Africa who engage in gym work. The author demonstrates that men, when given the opportunity to reflect on their own and the masculinity of others, acknowledge how they promote softer, kinder, disciplined, playful, and sexually agentic masculinities through their look and touch.
1.Introduction: The changing landscape of South African masculinities.- 2. Inclusive and orthodox masculinities: Multiplicity versus reification.- 3. Spornosexuality: Gym-work, online pornography and social media.- 4. Contextualizing the present study: Methodological considerations.- 5. Facilitating muscular ideals through gym work.- 6. Sharing spornosexual imagery: To porn or not to porn?.- 7. Two sides of the same bicep? Problematizing the 'hard-soft' simile.- 8. Concluding reflections: 'Do we really want to be 'macho' gym-bunnies?'
Jacques Rothmann is an Associate Professor in Sociology at the North-West University, Potchefstroom campus, South Africa. His key research interests include gay and masculinities studies. He was awarded a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y-Rating for research expertise in sexuality studies in 2020.
