The history of bodybuilding spans hundreds of years, yet relatively few pages are dedicated to the role of women in this sport. While it may be short in length, this chapter is strong in character and accomplishment.
By Horace Jurdon
The history of bodybuilding spans hundreds of years, yet relatively few pages are dedicated to the role of women in this sport. While it may be short in length, this chapter is strong in character and accomplishment.
History dictates that bodybuilding was typically a male-dominated pastime, and women had a relatively late start entering into the sport. In spite of this delayed introduction, these athletes quickly rose to the top. Their strength in spirit, as well as body, allowed them to heartily overcome the sexist stamp that was 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.
The history of women in bodybuilding continued with Rachel McLish. This powerhouse was named champion of the first Miss Olympia bodybuilding women’s competition, sponsored by the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFFB). Considered by many to be the epitome of women in bodybuilding, McLish combined aesthetic good looks with sheer muscle. More than just an icon, this Texas-born athlete helped to define the sport 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.
The organizers and sponsors of women’s bodybuilding competitions began to ask, “how much is too much”? Since Francis first hit the spotlight as a finalist in the 1986 Ms. Olympia competition, this question has continually created controversy within the sport of women’s bodybuilding.
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.
There are, of course, many other important names in the history of women’s bodybuilding. Juliette Berman, known as the “Dutch Superwoman”, won the Ms. Olympia competition in 2001. Professional IFBB fitness competitor Mandy Blank was a leader in the movement of more slender women in bodybuilding. Here focus was 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, was named Fitness Miss Olympia in 1998. Another important name is Sharon Bruneau, a Canadian model who left the runway, entered the gym, and became a hardcore female bodybuilder and fitness competitor.
Despite the efforts that these incredible women have undertaken, men continue to have a hand in the sport of women’s bodybuilding. Many people, particularly men, hold a disapproval (or maybe a fear) of super muscular women. For this reason, there was a decrease in financial support of traditional bodybuilding competitions that promoted muscle mass, with more funds being designated to those featuring more slender physiques. The obvious sexist double standard this demonstrates has not halted the decline of the sport for women.
The history of women in bodybuilding, and modern sport in general, owes a great deal to the strength that these women have displayed. They have overcome obstacles to bring the sport to where it is today, allowing all women the opportunity to work hard and achieve their full potential.
Freelancer Horace Jurdon contributes to numerous popular Internet magazines, on outdoor recreation and recreation center themes.
By Horace Jurdon
The history of bodybuilding spans hundreds of years, yet relatively few pages are dedicated to the role of women in this sport. While it may be short in length, this chapter is strong in character and accomplishment.
History dictates that bodybuilding was typically a male-dominated pastime, and women had a relatively late start entering into the sport. In spite of this delayed introduction, these athletes quickly rose to the top. Their strength in spirit, as well as body, allowed them to heartily overcome the sexist stamp that was 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.
The history of women in bodybuilding continued with Rachel McLish. This powerhouse was named champion of the first Miss Olympia bodybuilding women’s competition, sponsored by the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFFB). Considered by many to be the epitome of women in bodybuilding, McLish combined aesthetic good looks with sheer muscle. More than just an icon, this Texas-born athlete helped to define the sport 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.
The organizers and sponsors of women’s bodybuilding competitions began to ask, “how much is too much”? Since Francis first hit the spotlight as a finalist in the 1986 Ms. Olympia competition, this question has continually created controversy within the sport of women’s bodybuilding.
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.
There are, of course, many other important names in the history of women’s bodybuilding. Juliette Berman, known as the “Dutch Superwoman”, won the Ms. Olympia competition in 2001. Professional IFBB fitness competitor Mandy Blank was a leader in the movement of more slender women in bodybuilding. Here focus was 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, was named Fitness Miss Olympia in 1998. Another important name is Sharon Bruneau, a Canadian model who left the runway, entered the gym, and became a hardcore female bodybuilder and fitness competitor.
Despite the efforts that these incredible women have undertaken, men continue to have a hand in the sport of women’s bodybuilding. Many people, particularly men, hold a disapproval (or maybe a fear) of super muscular women. For this reason, there was a decrease in financial support of traditional bodybuilding competitions that promoted muscle mass, with more funds being designated to those featuring more slender physiques. The obvious sexist double standard this demonstrates has not halted the decline of the sport for women.
The history of women in bodybuilding, and modern sport in general, owes a great deal to the strength that these women have displayed. They have overcome obstacles to bring the sport to where it is today, allowing all women the opportunity to work hard and achieve their full potential.
Freelancer Horace Jurdon contributes to numerous popular Internet magazines, on outdoor recreation and recreation center themes.
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