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Dr. Adrian James Tan, is the co-author of Million Dollar Muscle, a book that offers a sociological perspective on the fitness industry, discussing how it is driven both by market forces and the culture of individual consumerism.
Dr. Adrian James Tan, a Singapore-born American, is currently a lecturer at the University of North Texas and was a long time faculty member at Southern Methodist University in the Sociology Department. He teaches courses in Introduction to Sociology, Marriage and Family, Sociological Theory, and Person vs. Society. Adrian obtained a bachelor’s degree majoring in English and philosophy, and master’s degrees in sociology and international affairs at Ohio University. Specializing in social psychology and ethnic identity, Adrian earned a Ph.D. in sociology at the University of North Texas, submitting his dissertation on the ethnic identity of Mexican-American children.
About the Book:
Million Dollar Muscle is a unique anthology, co-authored by a “gym rat” with a Ph.D. in Sociology and a former competitive bodybuilder, fitness expert, and entrepreneur.
Within a capitalist system the fitness industry is driven by the need to earn profits. From a small sub-culture it has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. The market is now flooded with gyms, nutritional supplements, workout apparel, exercise equipment, and health and fitness magazines. With massive advertisements, and aided by the Hollywood culture and its emphasis on appearance, the fitness industry has grown to new dimensions, influencing individual choices and behaviors.
Million Dollar Muscle discusses this evolution, along with what motivates people to make the choices they do. The material recognizes that these choices have important social implications. By combining an academic and theoretical approach with an “in the trenches” point of view, the book is able to bridge micro-macro aspects of the industry. It provides a comprehensive exploration of the individual choices regarding fitness, and why this is an important topic for sociological consideration.
What you will learn:
- Market forces and the power these forces have to shape perceptions of reality
- The mechanics of capitalism and how these have changed traditional norms and customs which previously served practical purposes
- The danger of conforming to social norms
- Individual choices and how they are, in reality, driven by social forces
- How to be a smart fitness consumer
- What the modern fitness industry can learn from the “old school” of fitness
- Bodybuilding 101
- Sociology 101
- The most important sociological trend that will affect businesses
