The good, the bad and the ugly - a Swedish qualitative interview study about the landscape of meaning-imbued, exercise-related physical pain, as experienced by 'normal' gym-users.

When pursuing the goal of personal health development, normal gym-users argue that exercising at the gym means to expose yourself to pain and to do so willingly, even longingly. Refusing to share this understanding may diminish people's chances to occupy the gym space and, hence, reduce their chances to promote their health.