Gutierrez Mosqueda 1 Estefania Gutierrez Maximilian Mosqueda John Kubler English 114B 18 February 2014 How Do Find Ones

Self; You Stare Throughout time, society has constantly been changing. The way we think, the things we do, and what is acceptable among us. It is important to note that the way we live has greatly changed over the years thus affecting much of societys habits and attitudes. These changes are not only among the peoples themselves but also our surroundings. The places we go, who we encounter there, and how one feels in that particular space has much effect on individuals both specifically and as a whole. It is these factors that contributed to the following observations made at a gym where not only the actions of individuals greatly contributed but also the space and of its objects in it which bring about such behavior. USA Fitness was built in June 15, 2013 and has been attracting people ever since. It is very popular in the Sylmar/ San Fernando community. USA Fitness always has specials on gym memberships which interest people who want to get in shape to fit in with the social stigma of being in shape . With such low costing rates, people cant resist but check out the gym for themselves. Once you go in it is very hard to come out without a gym membership. The sellers who are trying to convince you to buy a membership are pretty persuasive. They argue on how a certain person needs to look using societys criteria of how one should look. If you want to look and feel good about yourself, that is the way society will accept you, you need to buy a membership today and start right away with these cheap prices.

Gutierrez Mosqueda 2 There are many rules in order to respect the space of people and the gym. For starters there are rules that society has made up that are stated without actually being said by anybody. As an example when someone is using a machine and gets off for a quick second no one can barge in and take the machine without asking causing a form of private space in a public area. If someone is using equipment and somebody takes it from them that is a form of intruding a private space. It is set up by society to have respect when coming into a public space. From what we observed it seemed like a lot of people minded their own business when it came to working out. Many of the men would look at each other and it seemed like they were in competition with each other: who could to the most reps, who was the strongest, all while keeping their distance respecting their private space in the facility. When it came to the women it was more noticeable that the men were looking at these women in a sexual way for they would stare at these women on what they were attracted to. These men would try to hide it but you could tell they were staring. Design elements or regarded by many as the principles of design, are the foundation for attraction and prosperity of a space. The design of a space is composed by the use of color, texture and any other artic components that may add value to the space. While on site we found that this facility is a large space that was well divided into different sections. The use of wide, black stair cases stylishly divides the floors creating flow, and sections. It was interesting to observe how one of the primary colors used to design this space was blue. Many associated the color blue with depth and stability, considering it to be very beneficial to the mind and body; making this the perfect color to use to promote the cleanliness of the body through physical exercise. Moreover, it is notable to mention that there was a large amount of use of cubes and rectangles in the space. For instance, the nutrition bar there was a wide rectangular shape, the sofas and chairs/ sofa stools

Gutierrez Mosqueda 3 were all cube shaped and some located in the square areas set aside for rest and relaxation. After closer observation it became evident that these particular shapes squares, rectangles, cubes all seemed to be contributing to the tranquility and stability of the facility. With these interesting shapes around it was noticeable that these people were comfortable, not because they may have been sitting, but they were okay with being there and more so that these shapes gave a sense of familiarity. With its recent relocation and newly designed space, this gym facility doesnt seem to require security. On the other hand, since this has become a very popular place around the community there has been a need for some crowd control. This seems especially true in regards to parking. Despite the five story parking structure made available for the attendees, the facility cant seem to accommodate every person there, which is why they made use of complementary valet parking to assist and contain any chaos form breaking out. The facility has also ensured that every attendee have their needs taken care of by having employees at the peoples disposition, managing the flow of the area. Many sociologists would agree that our interactions with the world that is society, greatly impact ones identity. For instance, sociologist George Herbert Mead, defined the self as ones personality, preferences, thoughts, and ideas shaped by and through interaction with others. While observing this gym facility it became evident that these people in the space find themselves with their surroundings. One of the socio-cultural value suggested by the space is that in order for one to find and define what type of person they are, they must observe and follow that of what others do. The whole concept of a gym is for one to raise conscience of healthy habits and fulfill them through physical exercise. With every shape used to design and fill the space, it sets the tone for everyone in the room to be strong, determined, and use their mind and body to accomplish this.

Gutierrez Mosqueda 4 The equipment available at this gym makes every bit of this much more real, assisting them in accomplishing societies ideals. When the attendees see how everyone else uses the equipment others begin to follow and soon become regulars in using that particular item. Its that feeling of monkey see, monkey, do thus one individuality being shaped by that of others. While closely observing the space it was interesting to find how the people using this facility believed to be there for themselves to fulfill their own desire and original thoughts of becoming healthy. In reality these thoughts are unoriginal; its a type of social conformity. These people arent really getting into shape in order to make themselves feel good, but rather they are following the standard that society has set that one should reach in order to feel good and be healthy. They are comforting to societys thoughts and the mindset of what would define you as an individual. In doing so, they are not going after their own wants and achievements but following that of the crowds. This type of behavior demonstrates that people in a society adheres to what the multitudes do. They are easily persuaded by what others think and how they act, which also demonstrates how permissive they are to allow themselves to follow those ideals. It is without a doubt that the space that one encounters and all of its aspects including its visitors, greatly shape and reflect our identities.