{"product_id":"9781560234043","title":"Muscle Boys: Gay Gym Culture","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eWhat was once a lifestyle for a small number of gay men in big cities has become a way of life for many, and the gay gym is now a culture on its own. \u003cb\u003eMuscle Boys: Gay Gym Culture\u003c\/b\u003e explores the evolution and current structure of this gay subculture that surfaced in San Francisco, West Hollywood, and New York during the 1970s. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCovering ancient Greek gymnasium culture, modern bodybuilding practices, and homoerotic muscle-bound media, \u003cb\u003eMuscles Boys \u003c\/b\u003eexamines the origins of the male athletic ideal. A sociological investigation on masculinity, fitness, HIV, steroids, and sex in the locker room, \u003cb\u003eMuscle Boys\u003c\/b\u003e dissects the gay gym experience, and celebrates gay body culture and its role in modern gay life. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAuthor Erick Alvarez offers a candid study of the gay gym from his perspective as a physical trainer in the San Francisco Bay area, and from his interviews and online surveys of nearly 6,000 gay men. \u003cb\u003eMuscle Boys: Gay Gym Culture\u003c\/b\u003e is an enlightening read for anyone interested in gay body culture, and a valuable resource for academics working in GLBT studies, human sexuality, psychology, or athletics.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Taylor \u0026 Francis","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48441555943664,"sku":"9781560234043","price":37.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/9781560234043_p0.jpg?v=1768407796","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/9781560234043","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}