Women bodybuilders have been changing how people think and setting new standards since the early 1930s, showing that strength and femininity can go together and challenge the old ideas of beauty.
These athletes came from circuses and vaudeville shows, where their strongwoman acts amazed audiences and made people think differently about what women could do in society.
The history of women bodybuilders is not just a story of physical strength but also shows how society’s views on women in sports have changed. Their journey was filled with hard work, strict training, and careful eating, transforming their bodies into symbols of strength and power.
By the age of 19, many young European female athletes had already faced and weathered the societal storm, proving that women body builders were not just participants but pioneers in the weightlifting world.
Their influence as women bodybuilders keeps inspiring others and pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved in the sport and beyond.
List of Female Bodybuilders
Following is the list of Famous female bodybuilders.
1. Alina Popa
- Highlights: Winner of the IFBB National Championship
- Specialty: Top female competitor from Romania
Alina Popa, a Romanian competitor, has been a significant figure in women’s bodybuilding, highlighted by her performance at the 2018 Rising Phoenix World Championships. Her career in the IFBB ranks her among the top women bodybuilders globally.
Popa’s role as vice president of Wings of Strength shows her dedication not only to competing but also to supporting the growth and organization of the sport. Her influence and leadership have helped shape the landscape of women’s bodybuilding.
2. Melina Keltaniemi
- Highlights: First to win the Elite Pro World bikini championship
- Specialty: Focused on continuous improvement
Melina Keltaniemi is a rising star among women bodybuilders. By the time she was 22, she had already won the Nordic Elite Pro and Russia Elite Pro, showing her skills season after season.
With the help of a good coach and her deep understanding of the sport, she has won many competitions, including the Elite Pro World. As one of the youngest champions, Keltaniemi is opening doors for future women bodybuilders and showing what is possible.
3. Rachel Mclish
- Highlights: First woman to win the Ms. Olympia title
- Specialty: Transformed perceptions of women’s physical strength
Rachel McLish made a big impact on women body builders back in the 1970s. She was the first Ms. Olympia in 1980 and showed that women could be strong and fit just like men.
McLish won the Miss Olympia title twice and inspired many by showing what women can achieve with training and nutrition.
She also wrote books to help others learn about fitness. Her work helped make it common for women to go to the gym and lift weights, and she led the way for women bodybuilders in the United States Championship and more.
4. Iris Kyle
- Highlights: Won Ms. Olympia ten times
- Specialty: The most accomplished female bodybuilder ever
Iris Kyle is one of the top women bodybuilders and has been at the top of the IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilding Ranking List for many years. From 2006 to 2014, Kyle won the Ms. Olympia and Ms International titles ten times.
Her success is thanks to her excellent genetics and hard work in training and performance. Even though there were talks about the use of steroids in the sport, Kyle always aimed to compete fairly. Her achievements have helped shape the way women bodybuilders are viewed around the world.
5. Cory Everson
- Highlights: Six-time Ms. Olympia winner
- Specialty: Pioneered women’s bodybuilding in its Golden Age
Corinna ‘Cory’ Everson, a dominant figure in women’s bodybuilding during the 1980s, won the Ms. Olympia title six times from 1984 to 1989.
Renowned for her exceptional physique and strength, Cory maintained her top status through intelligent training strategies and the support of her coach and husband, Jeff Everson.
Her unparalleled performance set high standards within the sport. Even today, Cory’s impact resonates, influencing new generations of athletes and shaping the legacy of women’s bodybuilding with her enduring contributions to the discipline.
6. Nataliya Kuznetsova
- Highlights: Set world records in deadlift, bench press, and arm lifting
- Specialty: Known for being one of the heaviest professional female bodybuilders
Nataliya Kuznetsova, from Russia, is well-known among women bodybuilders. She weighs about 220 lbs and competes in many contests, showing her skills. She is famous on Instagram with over a million followers who love her updates.
Kuznetsova competes in big events like the IFBB Amateur Olympia and WOS Romania where she has won many times. She also shares tips on training and eating right, making her a big influence among women bodybuilders.
7. Lenda Murray
- Highlights: Eight-time Ms. Olympia winner
- Specialty: Demonstrated longevity in her career
Lenda Murray is a well-known figure in women bodybuilders. She started in 1988 at the age of 28 and won the Ms. Olympia competition eight times by the time she was 41. Murray’s strong and beautiful physique made her famous and respected in the sport.
She competed for many years, always showing great dedication and helping to improve the sport for women. Murray’s hard work and victories have made her a lasting inspiration for women bodybuilders.
8. Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia
- Highlights: Five-time Ms. International Champion
- Specialty: The first and only Venezuelan Ms. Olympia winner
Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia, a Venezuelan bodybuilder based in Miami, has won the Ms. Olympia and Ms International Champion titles multiple times since starting her career in 1993.
Known on Instagram as @Yaxenita, she shares fitness tips, training techniques, and motivational videos with her 50,000 followers.
Her success is built on years of refined skills and a deep understanding of bodybuilding, making her one of the top-ranked women bodybuilders in America.
9. Andrea Shaw
- Highlights: Three-time Ms. Olympia champion
- Specialty: Dedicated to intense weight training
Since 2020, Andrea Shaw has dominated the Ms. Olympia contest, securing her spot as a top woman in bodybuilding. Shaw’s success stems from her rigorous training ritual, involving heavy-weight training and strategic rep sets, which have proven their worth time and again in 2021 and beyond.
As a mother and personal trainer, she balances her time and commitments, continuously proving her powerhouse status in the highly competitive field. Her consistent wins reflect her dedication and the effectiveness of her approach to training.
10. Debi Laszewski
- Highlights: Five-time top three finisher at Ms. Olympia
- Specialty: Personal trainer to multiple champion bodybuilders
Debi Laszewski ranked as one of the top women bodybuilders between 2009 and 2014, has been a formidable competitor on the Ms. Olympia stage.
Throughout her bodybuilding career, Laszewski has been celebrated for her exceptional physique and competitive spirit. Her presence in the field has made her a role model for upcoming athletes and a notable name alongside other greats like Linda Hamilton and Reggie Simmons.
11. Juliette Bergmann
- Highlights: Winner of IFBB European Championships and Ms. Olympia
- Specialty: The sole Dutch Ms. Olympia winner and President of IFBB Netherlands
Juliette Bergmann, from the Netherlands, has been a prominent figure in women’s bodybuilding since 1982. Her career, highlighted by multiple World Championships wins and a significant victory at Ms. Olympia in 2001, has led her to roles as a judge and president within the IFBB.
Bergmann’s legacy in the European bodybuilding scene is marked by her induction into the Hall of Fame, celebrating her lifelong commitment and influence in the women’s bodybuilding sphere.
12. Elisa Pecini
- Highlights: Numerous placements in bikini competitions
- Specialty: Mastered transformations with healthy eating habits
Elisa Pecini, a standout Brazilian in bikini competitions, rose to fame by clinching the Bikini Olympia title in 2019 when she was only 24.
She shares her fitness journey on Instagram and YouTube, detailing the training and dietary strategies that helped her defeat anorexia nervosa.
Her online presence not only highlights her dedication and resilience but also serves as an inspiring narrative, demonstrating how focused effort can lead to top achievements in highly competitive arenas. Pecini’s story is a compelling example of overcoming personal challenges to reach great heights.
13. Andrulla Blanchette
- Highlights: The only British Ms. Olympia winner
- Specialty: Among the most decorated British bodybuilders
Andrulla Blanchette, a celebrated British bodybuilder, has a remarkable track record, including wins at the World Games and the Junior British Championship.
Known for her intense training and love for fitness, Blanchette has been a champion since 2000, leveraging her judo skills and gym expertise to excel in competitions. Her influence extends beyond the gym, inspiring others through her commitment to health and bodybuilding.
14. Helle Trevino
- Highlights: Two-time IFBB WOS Rising Phoenix Pro Champion
- Specialty: Assists others in transforming their bodies with private mental training
Helle Trevino, after an absence from professional bodybuilding due to injury, made a remarkable return to the stage, winning the Phoenix Pro and establishing herself as a dominant force in the IFBB.
Her journey through rehab, training seminars, and relentless dedication to her profession showcases the resilience required to compete at high levels. Trevino’s career spans from 1999 to 2011, and her multiple wins and experiences have paved a unique path for future women bodybuilders.
15. Stefi Cohen
- Highlights: First woman to deadlift more than four times her body weight
- Specialty: A comprehensive fitness inspiration
Stefi Cohen, renowned for her incredible strength and capability, holds multiple powerlifting records in squats and deadlifts, showcasing her prowess relative to her body weight.
With a background as a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a boxer, Cohen’s diverse training enhances her fitness expertise, making her a significant figure in the fitness community.
Her popularity extends beyond the gym, as she frequently shares training tips and motivational content across various platforms, earning her a top spot among fitness inspirations for women and men alike.
16. Jessica Buettner
- Highlights: Two-time IPF Powerlifting World Champion
- Specialty: Focus on motivation and building confidence
Jessica Buettner, a Canadian powerlifter and pharmacist, has excelled in the powerlifting world, especially at the IPF World Championships.
Her journey is marked by overcoming personal challenges such as type 1 diabetes and a serious snowboarding accident, which she credits for her heightened motivation and confidence in her powerlifting career.
Buettner has set several junior powerlifting records and continues to be a leading figure in the sport, using her platform to encourage others facing odds and promoting strength training among youngsters.
17. Cydney Gillon
- Highlights: Three-time Figure Olympia champion
- Specialty: Began her fitness journey at a young age
Cydney Gillon, a multi-time Figure Olympia and Figure International champion, has become a notable figure in the fitness and bodybuilding community.
Beyond her competitions, Gillon appeared on the reality TV show Survivor: Kaôh Rōng, where she demonstrated her discipline and physical prowess.
Her fitness journey is supported by her parents, who instilled an appreciation for health and fitness from a young age. Gillon’s championship titles and her broadening presence in the media highlight her as a versatile and influential figure in women’s bodybuilding.
18. Dana Linn Bailey
- Highlights: Winner at Olympia, Dallas Europa, and Jr. USA
- Specialty: Former Ms. Olympia Champion turned YouTube star
Dana Linn Bailey, known for her win at the 2013 Ms. Olympia Physique category, has transitioned her career towards building a robust online presence through her YouTube channel and The Warehouse Gym she runs with her husband Rob Bailey.
Her engaging videos and accessible content have helped her maintain a significant spot in the women’s bodybuilding world even after stepping back from competitive bodybuilding during the pandemic.
Bailey’s approachable style and continuous engagement with her audience keep her relevant and inspirational in the evolving fitness landscape.
19. Sheila Bleck
- Highlights: Two-time IFBB Tampa Pro Champion
- Specialty: Expertise in posing
Sheila Bleck, a consistent presence in professional bodybuilding since 2010, has competed in prestigious competitions like the Ms. Olympia and Rising Phoenix World Championships.
Known for her dynamic posing, which earned her the best poser award multiple times, Bleck continues to influence the pro women’s bodybuilding field both as a competitor and as an inspirational figure.
Her career spans many years, marked by her dedication, powerful physique, and passion for the sport.
20. Monique Jones
- Highlights: Two-time champion at IFBB Chicago Pro-Am Extravaganza
- Specialty: Known for her impressively large frame
Monique Jones nicknamed The Dark Destroyer and The Golden Girl, is known for her impressive frame and formidable presence in the IFBB professional bodybuilding.
Standing out in the Chicago Pro-Am Extravaganza and other competitions, her off-season dedication to training and rest has secured her multiple titles and a respected spot on the women bodybuilder list.
Jones’ impressive weightlifting performance and her distinctive nicknames reflect her unique character and dedication to excelling in every aspect of her bodybuilding career.
21. Kim Chizevsky Nicholls
- Highlights: Four-time Ms. Olympia champion
- Specialty: First to win both Ms. Olympia and Ms. International in the same year
Kim Chizevsky Nicholls, a dominant bodybuilder in the 1990s, achieved significant milestones in her career, including winning the Ms Olympia and Ms International titles four times.
Married to Chad Nicholls, her career is highlighted by her induction into the IFBB Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions to women’s bodybuilding. Chizevsky Nicholls’ legacy is characterized by her transformative impact on the sport, where she set new standards for women bodybuilders worldwide.
22. Juliana Malacarne
- Highlights: Four-time Ms. Olympia Women’s Physique Showdown winner
- Specialty: Expert in leg training
Juliana Malacarne, a Brazilian powerhouse, has been a prominent figure in the women’s physique category since her pro-card victory in 2005.
Known for her exceptional legs and overall physique, Malacarne has secured her place at the top through relentless training, particularly her dedication to squats.
Her determination has led her to win the prestigious competition ten times, showcasing her ability to consistently outperform in a highly competitive field. Her success is a testament to her hard work and meticulous focus on refining her features through various fitness routines.
23. Sarah Villegas
- Highlights: Three-time IFBB Pro Olympian and two-time Olympia Women’s Physique winner
- Specialty: Renowned for exceptional conditioning
Sarah Villegas started making waves in the women’s physique category in 2017. She trains with AFS Premier Fitness, where she combines nutrition, muscle toning, and conditioning to excel. Her hard work paid off when she won the Olympia Women’s Physique title two times.
Villegas believes her success is due to her dedicated team and the great internship program that taught her so much. She competes across the globe, showing off her skills in the bodybuilding circuit.
24. Deepika Chowdhury
- Highlights: NPC Steve Stone Metropolitan Overall Figure Champion
- Specialty: India’s first female pro bodybuilder
Deepika Chowdhury from India has risen as a prominent woman bodybuilder, making her mark since 2015. As an IFBB pro, her dedication has been evident through her active participation and success in competitions such as the NPC Steve Stone Metropolitan Championships in the US.
Besides being a formidable competitor, Chowdhury is a molecular biologist, which informs her scientific approach to fitness and nutrition.
Her popularity has grown, as seen on her Instagram handle @deepikapune_ifbbpro, where she shares insights and inspires other women in bodybuilding. Her journey reflects her determination to excel in a field where she constantly pushes against cultural and physical boundaries.
25. Shanique Grant
- Highlights: Youngest Ms. Olympia at 23
- Specialty: Remarkable physique
Shanique Grant quickly rose to prominence in women’s bodybuilding, clinching the Ms. Olympia Physique title in 2018 and 2019 by the age of 23. Her career is not just defined by her titles but also by her battles, including overcoming kidney failure and body image issues.
Grant’s determination and power have had a significant impact on the sport, inspiring many young women. Despite challenges, including a brief stint of partying that affected her health and training, her comeback to win major competitions underscores her resilience and dedication to maintaining her top spot in women’s bodybuilding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does a Typical Training Plan For a Female Bodybuilder Involve?
Female bodybuilders usually train 4-6 times a week, working on different muscle groups during each session. They combine weightlifting, cardio exercises, and stretching. Proper diet and enough sleep are also essential to help their muscles recover and grow.
How Do Women Bodybuilders Prepare For Competitions?
Women bodybuilders get ready for competitions by intensifying their training and following a strict diet to lose fat but keep muscle. This process, known as “cutting,” involves eating fewer calories and doing more cardio. They also practice posing to ensure they look their best on stage.
What are the Different Categories in Women’s Bodybuilding Competitions?
There are several categories in women’s bodybuilding contests, such as Bikini, Figure, Fitness, Women’s Physique, and Bodybuilding. Each category has specific guidelines on muscle size and definition. This variety allows competitors to find a category that matches their body type and fitness goals.