Published Paper Details:

This research investigates the transition from traditional, school-based physical education (PE) to the modern "gym culture" popular among college students today. Historically, PE focused on collective values like teamwork, discipline, and general health. However, modern students now show a strong preference for commercial fitness centers, bodybuilding, and social-media-influenced workouts. This shift reflects deeper changes in youth identity and the influence of digital culture. Drawing on sociological theories from thinkers like Bourdieu, Foucault, and Goffman, the study argues that the gym has become a vital social space for "building a brand" and performing social status, rather than just a place for exercise. The paper explores how factors like gender, urbanization, and social media shape these preferences. While the rise of gym culture has increased overall health awareness, it has also introduced negative pressures, including body image anxiety, commercialization, and social exclusion. The study concludes that educational institutions should blend the structured benefits of traditional PE with modern fitness trends to create a more inclusive and healthy environment for students.