Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the applicability of the exerciser stereotype in a female weight training population, in addition to the influence of gender and impression motivation on ratings of physical and personality characteristics. Two hundred and fifty one participants (Mage = 19.94, SD = 3.02) read a vignette describing one of four female weight trainer targets (typical, excessive, non-weight trainer, or control), then rated the target on eight physical and twelve personality characteristics before completing items from the Self-Presentation in Exercise Questionnaire -- modified for weight training (SPEQ-WT; Gammage, Munroe-Chandler, & Hall, 2005), in addition to a manipulation check. The main analyses consisted of two 2 (higher and lower impression motivation) X 4 (weight trainer targets) MANCOVAS, controlling for participant's exercise status and university faculty. Results indicated significant main effects (ps < .05) for one personality, and four physical characteristics. However, participant gender and impression motivation did not influence ratings (ps > .05). The findings provide evidence of self-presentational advantages for female weight trainers, though future research should examine the influence of these significant characteristics on both weight trainers and observers.
