Two words that almost didn’t seem to go together, female bodybuilding, is more heard of today and
has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings in the 1970s. However, physique contests
for women still have a long way to go when compared to the recognition and sponsorship that their
male counterparts enjoy.

Muscular development was the single factor chosen to judge the earliest female bodybuilding
contests. Most of the first contests held in the United States in the 1970s had the feminine but
muscular contestants strutting their stuff in high-heeled shoes. There were certain restrictions
to female bodybuilding Championships such as prohibition of certain poses which were deemed
too “manly”. Essentially these contests, held under sponsorship by independent promoters, were
more or less like today’s beauty contests except that the women were exhibiting their muscularity
while being femininely clad in bikinis.

The 1980s were better times for female bodybuilding as it gained relatively more prominence and
acceptance as a sport. “Ms. Olympia” was one of the most remarkable contests held for female
bodybuilding professionals. Cory Everson was one of the most famous Ms. Olympia winners.
She won six times and retired as the only female bodybuilding champion to remain undefeated.
As female bodybuilding gained popularity, the contestants were exposed to better standards of
training, especially weight training. Former winners started to spread the word and helped increase
the popularity of the sport.

The 1990s began the era of televised female bodybuilding contests. There were also certain
controversies that marred some of the championships. Subsequently, female bodybuilding again
suffered a lull phase. It is no secret that it was never able to measure up to the standards of
traditional bodybuilding. Fitness publications and diet companies still favor the male bodybuilders.
Most female bodybuilders struggled to find their own identity while being labeled “too muscular”
and “lacking the feminine edge”. Social stigma and the pressure to be appealing in a feminine way
continue to haunt women wanting to participate in female bodybuilding.

In the early days, it was difficult for society to accept the vision of a woman posing her body in a bid
to show off her muscles. They were instantly discouraged from trying to imitate the men in their
sport. However, even with the acceptance of female bodybuilding some of the prejudices remain.
Judging parameters often put the burden of deciding about “feminine quality” on the judges, even
with all the muscularity on display. Contestants to this day suffer from the inconsistent judging and
are often confused about meeting the expectations of being adequately muscular but not masculine.

Female bodybuilding training is much more advanced these days with trainers ensuring that
the contestants are instilled not only with the physical and mental discipline but also advice on
dealing with the politics in the contests. A support crew of advisors inspires contestants to get
over comments like being “too big” and a scanty turnout of fans in the hope that one day female
bodybuilding will also break the proverbial glass ceiling.

When we hear about bodybuilding what usually come to mind would be men with a muscular body, ripping their shirts off in front of the public, and making other men be envious about their well-sculpted bodies. Whether it is an ego booster for male bodybuilders, well it all depends on what motivates a guy to become a bodybuilder. However, when it comes to female bodybuilding there lies the different between a male bodybuilder. Why? Well, for one the motivation may in some way differ and women gets on the stage and compete there is a different aura coming out. For sure the audience sees it.

Female bodybuilding has existed for quite some time now. There have been numerous of competitions within the country and from other countries as well. Giving more opportunity for women who want to sculpt their body and be recognize are already two things to be happy about it. The usual connotation about bodybuilding is that it’s all about having huge muscles, 6-pack abs, and a very well-sculpted body. Think again!

With female bodybuilding, it is never about the muscles. It all boils down on having the kind of confidence that such may bring to any woman. Imagine what bodybuilding can do to a woman who has been fat for all her life, has low self-esteem, and think of herself as a nobody. Then, she decides to go and live a healthy lifestyle. In the process, she finds that bodybuilding might put all her sacrifices and efforts up a notch where she will gain what she does not before – self-confidence.

To give you an idea as to why female bodybuilding is all about self-confidence and not the muscles, read on.

1. The entire process of sculpting a woman’s body is tedious and entails a lot of hard work.

Have you ever imagined what you need to go through when it comes to female building? Well, maybe you think it would be going to the gym every single day and spend 2-3 hours training. This is just an inch of what lies beneath bodybuilding . Proper diet needs to be implemented, certain exercises need to be done and of course discipline must be imposed in order to sculpt the body perfectly. For sure you will see a change in attitude right from the beginning all the way when you achieve a very well-sculpted body.

2. There will be people who will give out their full support all the way from start.

You will be shock to know that there are people out there who love you the most. They will certainly give out their full support especially on your road of gaining your life back and get

3. Mingling with other women who share the same story and succeed.
4. Makes a woman be renewed as if a new woman has come out from the shell.

Female bodybuilding has been in the spotlight for years now! There are lots of women who joined contests and other competitions with the hopes of getting recognized for their efforts of transforming their ordinary bodies to a well-sculpted one. But not all of us have the guts to become a female bodybuilder but for those who want to try to become one, here is something that will make you inspired to even try harder and reach your dream to be a female bodybuilder.

Do you know that for the past decade, the IFBB an association for female bodybuilders have come with “Hall of Fame”? Yes, this is where they enlist the names of female bodybuilders who have been exceptionally great with their performance, have joined contests won some or most of them, etc. Yes, aside from joining competitions, winning the first prize, there is more to expect. If you continue to win more and IFBB sees you that you are a candidate for Hall of Fame, who would know in few years time, you will see your name on the list.

To give you an insight about whose who have made on the IFBB Hall of Fame, read the succeeding paragraph for further details.

Here is the run-down of women who have been dubbed as part of IFBB Hall of Fame:

· Laura Creavalle – for 2007
· Claudia Wilbourn – for 2006
· Stacey Bently – for 2005
· Ellen Van Maris – for 2004
· Lynn Conkwright – for 2003
· Laura Combes – for 2002
· Kay Baxter, Kike Elomaa, and Diana Dennis – for 2001
· Abbye “Pudgy” Stockton, Lisa Lyon, and Bev Francis – for 2000
· Rachel McLish, Carla Dunlap, and Cory Everson – for 1999

If you have observed, the Hall Of Fame started listing in 1999. Therefore, it is not too long ago that the IFBB has come with the idea of enlisting female bodybuilders who stand out from the rest! So, for the next years to come the list will grow and many will be part of the Hall of Fame. This would be just a matter of time.

Whether you are an aspiring female bodybuilder or a woman who wants to test the waters out for you in the field of female bodybuilding, one thing is for sure, there is a career here. Whether you are your 20s, 30s, 40s and even 50s, you can still become and full part of the elite group of female bodybuilders that dominate the world of bodybuilding. How’s that sound?