An investigation of the relationship between body image and exercise motive in a sample of regular fitness center visitors

Placing more focus on appearance as compared to strength predicted a better body image when controlled for the exercise motivation. Additional analysis on the relationship between appearance-focus, exercise motivation and body image revealed that appearance can positively but also negatively influence body image. Additional analysis on the relationship between strength-focus, exercise motivation and body image revealed that placing focus on strength is of benefit for predicting a better body image if participants were extrinsically motivated but made no difference if they were intrinsically motivated.

The results can be of help for developing potential interventions for people with body image concerns by introducing the concept of putting the focus on strength exercises and thus the functionality of the body to potentially increase body image when exercise motivation is extrinsic (i.e., low).