The Strength Of Women’s Bodybuilding

by Horace Jurdon

The history of bodybuilding, though hundreds of years in the making, has just a few pages dedicated to the role of women athletes. While relatively short in length, however, this chapter is rich in character and accomplishment.

History dictates that bodybuilding has always been a typically male-dominated sport, and women only recently entered the scene. In spite of this delayed introduction, women athletes quickly rose to the top. Their strength in body and spirit allowed them to quickly overcome the sexist stamp placed on them when women’s bodybuilding competitions first took place.

The first important chapter in women’s bodybuilding features a Californian by the name of Lisa Lyon. Born in 1953, Ms. Lyon was a UCLA graduate and a student of the Japanese martial art Kendo. While still a budding bodybuilding enthusiast, Lisa was encouraged by premier bodybuilding promoter Arnold Schwarzenegger to join a women’s competition. Schwarzenegger saw big potential in Lyon’s small dancer’s physique, and his vision paid off; Lisa Lyon took top honours in the first women’s bodybuilding championship.

Another important name in the history of women’s bodybuilding is Rachel McLish. Ms. McLish was crowned champion at the first Miss Olympia bodybuilding women’s competition, sponsored by the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFFB). With her combination of good looks and sheer muscle, Ms. McLish was considered by many to be the epitome of bodybuilding women. This Texas-born athlete was more than a sports icon; she helped to define the popularity of women’s bodybuilding.

If McLish was the feminine embodiment of women in bodybuilding, Bev Francis presented the muscular extreme. This Australian shot putter-turned-bodybuilder co-starred with Rachel McLish in the movie “Pumping Iron II: The Women”. Her incredible appearance and awesome muscular bulk incited both awe and shock in spectators at women’s bodybuilding.

As a result, event organizers and sponsors of women’s bodybuilding competitions began to wonder, “how much is too much”? This has been a topic of debate since Francis first stole the spotlight as a finalist in the 1986 Ms. Olympia competition.

In 1991, a new “less is more” trend in women’s bodybuilding became apparent when the extremely muscular Bev Francis placed second to a more slender athlete by the name of Lenda Murray. Following this victory, Ms. Murray went on to claim victory at eight more Ms. Olympia titles. Since her last win in 2003, Lenda Murray continues to be hailed as one of the most popular and successful women’s bodybuilding figures.

Other important figures in the history of women in bodybuilding include the “Dutch Superwoman” Juliette Bergman, winner of the 2001 Ms. Olympia competition, and IFBB fitness professional competitor Mandy Blank. A leader in the new movement of slender bodybuilding women, Ms. Blank focuses on shaping the muscular body into an aesthetic form, rather than beefing it up to become hugely muscular.

Monica Brant, another important figure in women’s bodybuilding, won the title of 1998 Fitness Miss Olympia. A Canadian model by the name of Sharon Bruneau turned her attentions from the runway to the gym, becoming a hardcore female bodybuilder and then a fitness competitor.

These incredible women have taken incredible strides, yet men still have a hand in the sport of women’s bodybuilding. Many women and men continue to disapprove of (or fear) extremely muscular women. As a result, the women’s bodybuilding industry experienced a decrease in financial support of traditional competitions that promoted muscle mass, and an increase in funds designated to competitions featuring more slender physiques. This obviously sexist double standard has not slowed the decline of the sport for women.

The history of women’s bodybuilding, and women’s sports in general, was written thanks to the strength that these women have displayed. Because of them, great obstacles were overcome to bring the sport to where it is today. Now, all women have the opportunity to work hard and achieve their full potential.

About the Author:

Columnist Horace Jurdon enjoys writing articles for a variety of web sites, on outdoor recreation and other sports guide issues.