The history of bodybuilding spans hundreds of years, although relatively few pages are dedicated to the role of women athletes. While this chapter may be relatively short in length, it is rich 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.
Rachel McLish is another important name in the history of women in bodybuilding. This powerhouse was crowned champion at the first Miss Olympia bodybuilding women's competition, sponsored by the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFFB). McLish combined aesthetic good looks with sheer muscle, and was considered by many to be the epitome of women in bodybuilding. More than just a sports icon, this Texas-born athlete helped to define the popularity of women's bodybuilding.
If McLish was seen as the feminine embodiment of women in bodybuilding, Bev Francis represented the muscular extreme. An Australian shot putter-turned-bodybuilder, Ms. Francis co-starred with Rachel McLish in the movie "Pumping Iron II: The Women". Her incredible appearance and muscular bulk inspired both shock and awe in spectators at women's bodybuilding competitions.
Event organizers and sponsors of women's bodybuilding competitions began to ask, "how much is too much"? Since Francis first stole the spotlight as a finalist in the 1986 Ms. Olympia competition, this has been a topic of debate within the sport of women's bodybuilding.
A newer, "less is more" trend in women's bodybuilding became apparent in 1991 when the extremely muscular Bev Francis placed second to Lenda Murray, a more slender athlete. Ms. Murray then went on to claim victory at eight more Ms. Olympia titles. Her last win was in 2003, but Lenda Murray continues to be hailed as one of the most popular and successful women's bodybuilding figures.
Of course, there are many other important names in the history of women's bodybuilding. Juliette Berman, also known as the "Dutch Superwoman", won the 2001 Ms. Olympia competition. IFBB fitness professional competitor Mandy Blank was a leader in the new movement of the more slender women in bodybuilding, focused 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 still have a hand in the sport of women's bodybuilding. Many men and women disapprove of (or fear) extremely muscular women. For this reason, the women's bodybuilding industry saw a decrease in financial support of traditional competitions that promoted muscle mass, and an increase of funds designated to competitions featuring more slender physiques. It's an obvious sexist double standard, but it has not halted the decline of the sport for women.
The history of women's bodybuilding, and women's sports in general, owes a great deal to the strength that these women have displayed. Great obstacles have been overcome to bring the sport to where it is today and now, all women have the opportunity to work hard and achieve their full potential.
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.
Rachel McLish is another important name in the history of women in bodybuilding. This powerhouse was crowned champion at the first Miss Olympia bodybuilding women's competition, sponsored by the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFFB). McLish combined aesthetic good looks with sheer muscle, and was considered by many to be the epitome of women in bodybuilding. More than just a sports icon, this Texas-born athlete helped to define the popularity of women's bodybuilding.
If McLish was seen as the feminine embodiment of women in bodybuilding, Bev Francis represented the muscular extreme. An Australian shot putter-turned-bodybuilder, Ms. Francis co-starred with Rachel McLish in the movie "Pumping Iron II: The Women". Her incredible appearance and muscular bulk inspired both shock and awe in spectators at women's bodybuilding competitions.
Event organizers and sponsors of women's bodybuilding competitions began to ask, "how much is too much"? Since Francis first stole the spotlight as a finalist in the 1986 Ms. Olympia competition, this has been a topic of debate within the sport of women's bodybuilding.
A newer, "less is more" trend in women's bodybuilding became apparent in 1991 when the extremely muscular Bev Francis placed second to Lenda Murray, a more slender athlete. Ms. Murray then went on to claim victory at eight more Ms. Olympia titles. Her last win was in 2003, but Lenda Murray continues to be hailed as one of the most popular and successful women's bodybuilding figures.
Of course, there are many other important names in the history of women's bodybuilding. Juliette Berman, also known as the "Dutch Superwoman", won the 2001 Ms. Olympia competition. IFBB fitness professional competitor Mandy Blank was a leader in the new movement of the more slender women in bodybuilding, focused 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 still have a hand in the sport of women's bodybuilding. Many men and women disapprove of (or fear) extremely muscular women. For this reason, the women's bodybuilding industry saw a decrease in financial support of traditional competitions that promoted muscle mass, and an increase of funds designated to competitions featuring more slender physiques. It's an obvious sexist double standard, but it has not halted the decline of the sport for women.
The history of women's bodybuilding, and women's sports in general, owes a great deal to the strength that these women have displayed. Great obstacles have been overcome to bring the sport to where it is today and now, all women have the opportunity to work hard and achieve their full potential.
About the Author:
Writer Horace Jurdon is a freelancer for numerous popular web magazines, on outdoor recreation and other sports issues.
