While people typically associate bodybuilding with the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronnie Coleman, and other men, there is also a long history of successful female bodybuilders.
Female bodybuilding has rapidly gained popularity in recent years, but the sport has existed for decades. In fact, there is a long history of strong, muscular women who have dominated the sport of bodybuilding.
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Female bodybuilders in the 80s were the first to be officially recognized in competitions and helped pave the way for the women bodybuilders of today. In this article, we will highlight the top female bodybuilders of the past and present.
Get ready to be impressed as we go over the top 20 best female bodybuilders, discuss their major contest wins, what makes them so inspirational, and what they're up to today.
20 Best Female Bodybuilders of All Time
While male bodybuilding competitions occurred in the 1920s, women in bodybuilding didn't happen until the late 1970s. During the mid-1900s, it was rare to find muscular women. There was an unfortunate (and incorrect) stigma around athletics and exercise hindering women's ability to be mothers.
Thankfully, the landscape for women bodybuilders changed after 1972 when Congress passed Title IX, which required schools to allow equal opportunity for female athletes. This act opened the door for muscular women to explore different sports, including bodybuilding.
The first-ever woman to win a female building competition was Gina LaSpina from Ohio in 1977. By 1980, the International Federation of Bodybuilders (IFBB) and the National Physique Committee (NPC) recognized female bodybuilding competitions, including the first Ms. Olympia in 1980.
Since then, there have been tons of inspirational women to champion the sport. It's those women we're about to highlight.
The 20 best female bodybuilders of both the past and present are:
- Rachel McLish
- Cory Everson
- Lenda Murray
- Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls
- Iris Kyle
- Andrea Shaw
- Melina Keltaniemi
- Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia
- Debi Laszewski
- Andrulla Blanchette
- Elisa Pecini
- Sarah Villegas
- Monique Jones
- Alina Popa
- Helle Trevino
- Deepika Chowdhury
- Sheila Bleck
- Nataliya Kuznetsova
- Theresa Ivancik
- Shanique Grant
Without further ado, here are the most influential female bodybuilders from then and now!
1) Rachel McLish:
Rachel McLish was the face of female bodybuilding in the early 1980s, rising to fame as the first woman to win both the United States Championship and the inaugural Ms. Olympia in 1980. Her toned physique and media presence helped bring legitimacy and visibility to women in the sport.
Despite a short career, Rachel never placed lower than third in any competition. She went on to write two bestselling books and was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 1999.
Career Highlights:
- 1980 US Bodybuilding Championship: 1st
- 2x IFBB Ms. Olympia Champion: 1st (1980, 1982)
- 1981 IFBB Ms. Olympia: 2nd
- 1982 Pro World Championship: 1st
- 1984 IFBB Ms. Olympia: 2nd
You can follow her on Instagram at @RachelMclish
2) Cory Everson:
Cory Everson took the groundwork laid by McLish and launched it into the stratosphere. A former college athlete, Cory was introduced to bodybuilding by her then-husband and coach Jeff Everson. She made an immediate impact, winning Ms. Olympia in her debut and never relinquishing the crown during her six-year run.
After retiring undefeated, Cory transitioned into acting and fitness advocacy. She remains one of the most respected female bodybuilders in history.
Career Highlights:
- 6x Ms. Olympia Champion: 1st (1984-1989)
- 1980 Ms. Mid America: 1st
- 1982 IFBB North American Championship: 1st
- 1983 Bodybuilding Expo IV: 1st (MW and overall)
- 1984 American Women's Championships: 1st (HW and overall)
- 1984 NPC Nationals: 1st (HW and overall)
You can follow her on Instagram at @theofficialcoryeverson
3) Lenda Murray:
When Cory Everson stepped down, Lenda Murray stepped up. A former cheerleader and track star, Lenda entered bodybuilding in the late '80s and went on to win six consecutive Ms. Olympia titles from 1990–1995.
After a brief retirement, she returned to the sport and won two more titles, bringing her total to eight—a record at the time. Her symmetrical physique and stage presence set the standard for modern bodybuilding.
Career Highlights:
- 8x Ms. Olympia Champion: 1st (1990-1995, 2002-2003)
- 3x Ms. Olympia Runner-Up: 2nd (1996-1997, 2004)
- 1989 IFBB North American Championships: 1st
- 1989 NPC Junior Nationals: 1st (HW and overall)
- 1988 NPC Michigan: 1st
Follow her on Instagram at @themsolympia
4) Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls:
Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls pushed the sport into more muscular territory during the late '90s. Originally a track athlete, she transitioned into bodybuilding with guidance from her husband and coach, Chad Nicholls.
She made history in 1996 by becoming the first woman to win both the Ms. Olympia and Ms. International titles in the same year. Known for her mass and conditioning, Kim redefined what was possible for women in the sport.
Career Highlights:
- 4x Ms. Olympia Champion: 1st (1996-1999)
- 1992 IFBB North American Championships: 1st
- 2x Ms. International Champion: 1st (1993, 1996)
Follow her on Instagram at @mzolympia
5) Iris Kyle:
No one has done it better—or more often—than Iris Kyle. Often called “The Female Ronnie Coleman,” Iris holds more Olympia titles than any other bodybuilder, male or female.
Her dominance stretched across a decade, winning 10 overall Ms. Olympia titles and 7 Ms. International titles. She’s been candid about her use of PEDs and insists that discipline and genetics matter more.
Career Highlights:
- 10x IFBB Ms. Olympia Champion: 1st (2004, 2006-2014)
- 7x Ms. International Champion: 1st (2004, 2006-2007, 2009-2011, 2013)
Follow her on Instagram at @IrisKyle
6) Andrea Shaw:
Andrea Shaw is carrying the torch today. Originally a physique competitor, she switched to bodybuilding in 2019 after encouragement from Lenda Murray—and the move paid off.
Shaw quickly became the sport’s new queen, winning Ms. Olympia from 2020 through 2023. With her balance of size, symmetry, and poise, she’s redefining modern bodybuilding.
Career Highlights:
- 4x IFBB Ms. Olympia Champion: 1st (2020-2023)
- 3x Rising Phoenix Women's World Championships: 1st (2020-2020)
- 2018 Lenda Murray Detroit Classic: 1st
She is extremely popular on social media, with over 113 thousand followers on Instagram, where she shares a mix of training tips and everyday life activities.
Follow her on Instagram at @mzprettymuscle
7) Melina Keltaniemi:
Representing the next generation, Finnish bikini fitness model Melina Keltaniemi exploded onto the scene in her 20s. With a sculpted physique and early success, she’s already made a name for herself internationally.
Career Highlights:
-
2x IFBB Elite Pro World Championship: 1st (2018-2019)
Follow her on Instagram at @melinakatarina
8) Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia:
Hailing from Venezuela, Yaxeni Oriquen is a trailblazer in international bodybuilding. She made history as the only Venezuelan-American Ms. Olympia winner and remains one of the sport’s top-respected women.
Career Highlights:
- 2005 IFBB Ms. Olympia Champion: 1st
- 5x Ms. International Champion: 1st (2002-2003, 2005, 2008, 2012)
She has nearly 50 thousand followers on Instagram, regularly sharing gym videos and exercise tips.
Follow her on Instagram at @yaxenita
9) Debi Laszewski:
Debi Laszewski is a legend in women's bodybuilding and ranks number three on the IFBB's best female ranking list.
Debi, a track-and-field athlete from Wisconsin, became interested in bodybuilding after seeing Linda Hamilton's character of Sarah Connor in The Terminator. She had an impressive career, finishing in the top three of the Ms. Olympia five times from 2009 to 2014, with her career-best runner-up finish to Iris Kyle in 2012.
Career Highlights:
- 2012 IFBB Ms. Olympia: 2nd
- 2005 NPC Nationals: 2nd (light heavyweight)
- 2006 NPC Nationals: 1st (light heavyweight)
- 1994 Wisconsin Natural Bodybuilding Championships: 1st (class winner)
- 1996 Madison Championships: 1st (overall)
- 1996 Wisconsin National Qualifier: 1st (overall)
You can follow her on Instagram at @debilaszewski
10) Andrulla Blanchette:
The UK’s most decorated female bodybuilder, Andrulla Blanchette made waves from the late '80s through the early 2000s. Her lightweight frame was backed by flawless symmetry and posing artistry.
Career Highlights:
- 2000 IFBB Ms. Olympia Lightweight Champion: 1st
- 2000 IFBB Ms. International: 2nd (LW)
- 2001 IFBB Ms. Olympia Lightweight: 2nd
- 1993 IFBB World Games: 1st
11) Elisa Pecini:
Elisa Pecini’s rise in bikini bodybuilding is more than skin deep—she’s a survivor. After battling anorexia, she transformed her health and earned her pro card at just 19.
Career Highlights:
- 2019 IFBB Ms. Olympia Bikini Champion: 1st
- 2021 IFBB Tampa Pro: 1st
- 2020 Arnold Sports Festival: 1st
- 2018 MuscleContest Nacional Pro Bikini: 1st
- 2018 Pittsburgh Pro Bikini: 1st
- 2018 MuscleContest Brazil Pro Bikini: 1st
Elisa is constantly spreading positivity across social media and works endlessly to help others conquer their own eating disorders. She has over 600 thousand followers on Instagram and shares various wholesome content.
Follow her on Instagram at @isapecini
12) Sarah Villegas:
Sarah Villegas burst onto the physique scene in 2019 and hasn’t looked back. Known for her conditioning and stage charisma, she’s a dominant figure in the Women’s Physique division.
Career Highlights:
- 3x IFBB Ms. Olympia Women's Physique Champion: 1st (2020-2021, 2023)
- 2019 IFBB Ms. Olympia Women's Physique: 2nd
You can follow Sarah on Instagram at @iamsarahfit
13) Monique Jones:
With her massive frame and clean conditioning, Monique Jones is a heavyweight force. She started lifting at 13 and has since stacked up wins—and muscle.
Career Highlights:
- 2010 IFBB North American Championships: 1st (Heavyweight and overall)
- 2012 IFBB WOS Chicago Pro-Am Extravaganza: 1st
- 2013 IFBB WOS Chicago Pro-Am Extravaganza: 1st
- 2018 IFBB WOS Romania Muscle Fest Pro Women's Bodybuilding: 1st
She has a large social media following, with her last Instagram account, @fitnique, having nearly 100 thousand followers before being shut down.
You can follow her on her new Instagram page, which is @fitnique2
14) Alina Popa:
One of the most respected names in European bodybuilding, Romanian-born Alina Popa earned her spot in the sport’s elite with her flawless structure, symmetry, and consistent top finishes. Her blend of size and aesthetics made her one of the most competitive athletes in every show she entered.
Career Highlights:
- 2x Runner-up IFBB Ms. Olympia Bodybuilding Contest: (2013, 1014)
- 2018 IFBB Muscle Vodka Tampa Pro: 1st
- 2018 Rising Phoenix World Championships: 1st
- 2007 NABBA Miss Universe: 1st (Miss Physique class)
- 2003 IFBB National Championship: 1st (MW)
Alina is very active across social media, with nearly 100 thousand followers on Instagram, posting a combination of fitness content and everyday life.
Follow her on Instagram at @alinapopa1
15) Helle Trevino:
Danish powerhouse Helle Trevino defines resilience. After earning her pro card in 2004, her career was nearly derailed by multiple herniated discs. But years of rehab paid off when she returned to win two Rising Phoenix championships and earn recognition as one of the fiercest competitors in the sport.
Career Highlights:
- 2011 IFBB FIBO Power Pro Germany: 1st
- 2015 IFBB WOS Chicago Pro: 1st
- 2x IFBB Pro League WOS Rising Phoenix Pro Champion: 1st (2017, 2019)
- 2019 Tampa Pro: 1st
Follow her on Instagram at @HelleTrevino
16) Deepika Chowdhury:
The first Indian woman to earn an IFBB pro card, Deepika Chowdhury broke cultural barriers and became a national icon. With a background in molecular biology, she brought both brains and brawn to the stage, inspiring countless women across India and beyond.
Career Highlights:
-
2015 NPC Steve Stone Metropolitan Championships Overall Figure Category: 1st
She has a large following on social media, with nearly 100 thousand followers on Instagram. She posts a variety of training videos, gym tips, and posts that highlight her Indian culture.
Follow her on Instagram @deepikapune_ifbbpro
17) Sheila Bleck:
Inspired by Rocky Balboa, Sheila Bleck transitioned from powerlifting to bodybuilding in her teens. Known for her powerful posing routines and tenacity, she racked up major wins while becoming a fan favorite.
Career Highlights:
- 2008 NPC Nationals: 1st
- 2010 IFBB New York Pro: 2nd
- 2012 IFBB Tampa Pro: 2nd and Best Poser Award
- 2014 IFBB Tampa Pro: 1st and Best Poser Award
- 2x IFBB Tampa Pro Champion: 1st (2016-2017)
She is now the owner of Bleck Discount Nutrition and frequently posts vlog-type videos on her Instagram.
Follow her on Instagram at @ifbbsheilableck
18) Nataliya Kuznetsova:
Russia’s Nataliya Kuznetsova is a true outlier in the sport. With a powerlifting background and a stage weight of 220 pounds, she’s considered one of the most muscular women in history. She holds records in multiple strength sports and continues to command attention worldwide.
Career Highlights:
- 2007, 2008 Baykal Gran Prix bodybuilding champion
- 2014 World champion and record armlifting in Crimea
- 2014 World champion and record in the bench press NAP
- European champion in bench press and deadlift (WPC), champion of Eurasia in bench press, deadlift (GPA), and armliftin
- 2015 Champion of the Cup Eastern Europe (GPA), world record in the deadlift, and champion of the Cup Eastern Europe (WAA) for traction and rolling axe
- 2018 IFBB WOS Romania Muscle Fest Amateur: 1st
With over one million followers on Instagram, Nataliya is one of the most recognized female bodybuilders in the world.
Follow her on Instagram @Nataliya.amazonka
19) Theresa Ivancik:
Theresa Ivancik turned adversity into triumph. She discovered bodybuilding while on house arrest, using an old workout bench in her parents’ basement. She’s now a top-tier competitor with major titles and a platform advocating for women in the sport.
Career Highlights:
- 2016 NPC Nationals: 1st (HW)
- 2019 IFBB Norfolk Pro: 1st
- 2020 IFBB Chicago Pro: 1st & best poster award
- 2022 IFBB Indy Pro: 1st
- 2022 IFBB Ms. Olympia: 7th
She has amassed quite a following on social media, with an impressive 270 thousand followers on Instagram.
Follow her on Instagram at @tivancik_ifbbpro
20) Shanique Grant:
After battling bullying, kidney failure, and personal hardships, Shanique Grant became one of the youngest ever Ms. Olympia winners in the Physique division. Retiring at 25, she now focuses on building a media presence and inspiring others with her story.
Career Highlights:
-
2x IFBB Ms. Olympia Women's Physique Champion: 1st (2018-2019)
With her successful Youtube channel, Shanique became an influential figure on social media, where she has over 324 thousand followers on Instagram.
Follow her on Instagram at @therealfitnessbeauty
FAQs About Female Bodybuilders
In this section, we will answer some of the most commonly asked questions regarding female bodybuilders.
How do female bodybuilders get so lean?
Before contests, female bodybuilders undergo extensive dieting combined with intense cardio sessions to maximize weight loss.
Most bodybuilders will also take some kind of fat burner, including banned substances such as ephedrine or anabolic steroids. Most will also use a type of diuretic before going on stage to eliminate as much water as possible to achieve a dry, hard look.
What do female bodybuilders eat?
Female bodybuilders typically follow rigorous diets and count their macronutrients to monitor their caloric intake. Their diets tend to be high protein, low carb, and include healthy fats.
High protein low fat foods, whole grain complex carbohydrates, and leafy green vegetables are diet staples. Some foods they may eat include chicken, fish, lentils, eggs, avocado, kale, spinach, nuts, and seeds.
Do female bodybuilders take testosterone?
Yes, many female bodybuilders take testosterone to help muscle recovery and increase muscle size. While there are natural female bodybuilders, there are also many female bodybuilders who take testosterone, as it helps increase strength and muscle size, and redistributes body fat to provide more definition.
Do you want the testosterone benefits while staying natural? Check out 5 Ways Women Can Naturally Increase Testosterone Levels.
Do female bodybuilders take steroids?
Yes, many female bodybuilders take steroids. Steroids are very common in the bodybuilding world, and women are no exception.
Many women take oral steroids rather than injections because of the convenience and positive results. Women bodybuilders often use steroids like Anavar and Winstrol to help burn fat and be as ripped as possible before a competition.
How do female bodybuilders get so big?
Female bodybuilders get so big because they are very strict and consistent in their exercise routines and diets. Many have trainers or are certified to maximize their training efficiency to build muscle.
Eating a clean, well-balanced protein-rich diet is crucial for building muscle mass. Several female bodybuilders also use supplements, including anabolic steroids, to gain as much muscle as possible.
What are the body types in female bodybuilding?
Female bodybuilding has five different categories in competitions with varying weight classes. The different categories are created for the different body types. The five categories are bikini, figure, physique, bodybuilding, and fitness.
How many hours a day do female bodybuilders work out?
Most female bodybuilders will work out between one and three hours a day, or more in some cases. Usually, they will spend roughly an hour or so weight lifting, plus another hour or so for cardio. As it gets closer to competitions, they will increase their cardio to two hours a day or more to be as lean as possible on stage.
How much do female bodybuilders make?
Determining an average income from female bodybuilding is difficult because it depends on several factors. Female bodybuilders who work full-time as bodybuilders can take home anywhere from $20k to $200k a year, depending on contest winnings, social media deals, and other income.
The IFBB Olympia competition is the top contest in the sport, with winners of each division taking $50,000, followed by $20,000 for second and $12,000 for third.
What Are The Best Supplements For Female Bodybuilders?
Supplements are meant to complement a balanced diet and training program, not replace them. Unlike most professional bodybuilders, we'll only consider the safe and legal supplements. In this case, there are a few key supplements you should consider using to help you achieve your goals faster.
We generally recommend four tried and true supplements which include whey protein, casein protein, creatine, and pre-workout. This stack can help you build muscle, gain strength, recover faster and boost your energy levels. We'd recommend the following supplement stack to super charge those gains you're after.
The perfect supplement stack for women's bodybuilding (only the musts):
Images courtesy of the featured bodybuilders' Instagram accounts
The Best Female Bodybuilders: An Inspiration To Us All
Female bodybuilding has come a long way from taboo to triumph. From early trailblazers like Rachel McLish to current queens like Andrea Shaw, these women have reshaped the narrative on what strength looks like.
Their work ethic, passion, and resilience inspire women (and men) across the globe—whether you're hitting the gym for the first time or chasing your next title.
Looking for more great female fitness inspiration? Check out our article on the Top 25 Female Fitness Models!
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