Abstract
The purpose of this research is to understand the way that social networks and strangers influence an individual’s motivation in exercise. This includes the creation of healthy habits and the motivation throughout the act of exercising. Sixteen interviews and eight hours of fieldwork were conducted in order to collect data on people’s perceptions as well as an objective view of what happens in the exercise environment. Through the analysis of this data, it was found that families have the most significant impact on the creation of exercise habits while friends do not play a big role due to the personal autonomy of individuals. Societal pressures influence people to choose which facilities to use while other people within these settings create social comparison and competition working to alter the motivation during exercise.