The Beginning of Muscle Building Competitions for Females
Jun 11, 2011
Women started joining muscle building competitions in the 1970’s, but what is considered the first real body building contest was in held in 1978. The first “U.S. Women’s National Physique Championship” was held in Ohio. As with men’s body building competitions, the most prestigious women’s body building event is the Ms. Olympia competition.
Women’s body building has been controversial throughout the years. Some female body builders aim to have the same physique, if not bigger, than that of a man’s. This has been the primary source of controversy, as there were times when women body builders felt competition guidelines were too constricting and build muscle prevented their muscle growth. The National Physique Committee, which sponsors amateur body building competitions, requires participants to still look feminine, despite their body builder’s physique. It prevents women from having extreme muscle hardness or muscle size.
While it is true that female competitors still find some guidelines to be unfair, there is no denying that female body builders have come a long way.