Becoming a minimalist athlete: A sociological investigation into the forms,meanings,and lived experiences of minimalism within recreational sports

Abstract

In a societal context dominated by the logics of growth, acceleration and accumulation, minimalism represents an alternative approach that aims to intentionally explore the possibility of doing good or even better with less or without. This article investigates the development of minimalist forms of practice among recreational athletes. For this purpose, we interviewed 38 recreational athletes, all of whom were involved in a wide variety of sports (road or trail running, weightlifting, MovNat, yoga, etc.) and wished to practice their discipline according to a minimalist approach. Five main forms of detachment were identified, from: digitalization; sports equipment; conventional sports shoes; strict and complex training programs; and mass sporting events. The three main categories of meaning and motivation underpinning engagement in an intentionally minimalist process were self-care and self-optimization, spiritual quest, and act of political resistance. These different minimalist approaches have led to the reconfiguration of lived experiences in sporting practice through a “reconnection to…” (one's natural surroundings, own sensations, animalistic, or childlike nature), and “liberation” (including physical and psychological alleviation).