Macho Men in South African Gyms

“Rothmann’s book investigates the life-worlds of heterosexual and gay men in contemporary South African gyms. Through his analysis, Rothmann compellingly demonstrates the ways in which men espoused expressions of inclusive masculinities through their training and interactions in the gym and their reflections on their masculinity and others’. This book is invaluable for scholars interested in the sociology of sport, gender and sexualities.”

–Dennis Francis, Professor of Sociology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

“This superbly crafted book probing ‘macho men’ and spornosexuality makes a critical contribution to the study of men and masculinities in South Africa. Rothmann’s empirical work is rich and in-depth, and his embracing of inclusive masculine theory is very compelling. The book offers nuanced insight into how gym enthusiasts, men who spend time conscientiously shaping up their bodies, reflect on their and others’ masculinities. This is an enjoyable read and an example of exemplary sociological scholarship.”

–Kammila Naidoo, Professor of Sociology, University of Johannesburg

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.

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.