The topic of female bodybuilding often sparks lively discussions. Female bodybuilders represent some of the most committed individuals in the fitness realm. These athletes, ranging from seasoned heavyweights to aspiring young talents, push their physical limits just as rigorously as their male counterparts. Their success stems from a combination of discipline, dedication, intense training, and strategic nutrition.
There’s a divided opinion about women developing muscular and strong physiques. Whether it’s perceived as a challenge to traditional notions of femininity and beauty or stems from deeper insecurities, it’s a perspective that cannot be ignored.
The journey of female bodybuilding has seen its ups and downs. In 2016, the IFBB removed the Ms. Olympia contest from the Olympia Weekend due to declining interest and ticket sales. The competition made a comeback under new ownership.
When the Ms.Olympia division was discontinued, there was an expectation that female athletes would be discouraged from pursuing heavily muscular builds. Yet, these women continued to thrive against the odds.
Are you familiar with the history of female bodybuilding? If not, you might be surprised to learn about its long-standing presence. There’s been a noticeable increase in women entering this once male-dominated sport. So, who are the standout female bodybuilders today? Discover the top 27 influential female bodybuilders to follow.
Top Girls with Muscles (Bodybuilders) 2024
- Nataliya Kuznetsova
- Jessica Buettner
- Lauren Taylor
- Stefi Cohen
- Irene Andersen
- Andrea Shaw
- Dana Linn Bailey
- Renee Enos
- Juliana Esteso
- Cydney Gillion
- Linda Durbesson
- Monique Jones
- Rachelle Carter
- Missy Truscott
- Rita Jairath
- Ariel Khadr
- Whitney Jones
- Oksana Grishina
- Helle Trevino
- MayLa Ash
- Stephanie Sanzo
- Iris Kyle
- Nicki Chartrand
- Alana Shipp
- Shanique Grant
- Samantha Shorkey
- Angelica Teixeira
Nataliya Kuznetsova
- Full Name: Nataliya Kuznetsova
- Born: July 1, 1991
- Age: 32 years
Nataliya Kuznetsova is a Russian professional female powerlifter and bodybuilder. Russian professional female bodybuilder and powerlifter Nataliya Kuznetsova, at the age of fourteen, Kuznetsova started powerlifting to put on muscle. In 2013, she completed her diploma from the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture.
Sports nutrition companies Oxytropin and RPS Nutrition are sponsors of Trukhina. She agreed to a contract with RichPiana for 5% Nutrition in 2019. Vladislav Kuznetsov, a bodybuilder, is Trukhina’s husband. She is the world champion in both deadlifting and armlifting. The seasoned bodybuilder is known as Amazonka because of her incredible muscles. She’s also very popular on the internet.
Jessica Buettner
- Full Name: Jessica Buettner
- Born: 5 January 1995
- Age: 29 years
Jessica is a highly regarded female bodybuilder worldwide, commonly called “The Canadian Forklift”. Unfortunately, at the age of eleven, she received a type 1 diabetes diagnosis. Despite this, she has succeeded in the powerlifting industry. 2016 saw her win the IPF World Classic Power-lifting Championships (Juniors), her first international competition. Canadian powerlifter Jessica Buettner won the gold medal in the IPF 76 kg open powerlifting classic in 2022 and the silver medal in the IPF World Championship in Helsingborg, 2019 in the 72 kg – Raw class. In addition, she competed in the shot put before shattering three junior powerlifting records at the 2018 World Championship.
Lauren Taylor
- Full Name: Lauren Taylor
- Country: USA
American athlete Lauren has a muscular physique that will make many men jealous. In 2015, she emerged victorious in the NPC National Physic Committee championship as a figure athlete and lifestyle coach. One of the fit female bodybuilders is Lauren Taylor. She has always been interested in fitness and health, having worked out since she was a teenager. When she was fifteen years old, she began going to the gym. Later, she focused all of her time and energy on strength training and bodybuilding. Her notable accomplishment was she stood sixth in the national NPC Miami competition in 2018.
Stefi Cohen
- Full Name: Stefi Cohen
- Born: 28 March 1992
- Age: 32 years
Stefi Cohen is a well-known American powerlifter, social media star, and training coach who holds 25 world records. She is among the world’s strongest female powerlifters. In addition, she holds the world record for the APA deadlift, having lifted 401 pounds at 123 pounds below her body weight. Her exceptional weightlifting abilities have made her a sensation on the internet. If you’re interested in becoming a female fitness model, this American celebrity might be someone to look up to. She is among the world’s strongest female powerlifters. Her exceptional weightlifting abilities have made her a sensation on the internet. If you’re interested in becoming a female fitness model, this American celebrity might be someone to look up to. She is going to inspire you.
Irene Andersen
- Full Name: Irene Andersen
- Born: 9 September 1966
- Age: 57 years
Bodybuilder Irene Andersen is a Swedish woman. Irene has worked extremely hard and developed an amazing physique to become one of the most well-known female bodybuilders. She has participated in numerous bodybuilding contests, placing first in the 2004 Lucia Classic. She has also participated in several bodybuilding competitions, placing fifth in Ms Olympia at the end of 2020.
Andrea Shaw
- Full Name: Andrea Shaw
- Born: 18 December 1983
- Age: 40 years
In the women’s bodybuilding division, Andrew is an IFBB Pro athlete and the reigning American professional bodybuilder. At the age of 17, she began building muscle under the direction and encouragement of her mother, a former personal trainer. She has four titles as Miss Olympia and four titles as Miss Rising Phoenix. She has modeled for women’s clothing brands, made cameo appearances at bodybuilding competitions, and flown to Germany to conduct training sessions alongside 2020 Mr. Olympia winner Mamdouh Elssbiay.
Dana Linn Bailey
- Full Name: Dana Linn Bailey
- Born: 30 May 1983
- Age: 40 years
Dana is a well-known American female bodybuilder who has competed in multiple physique shows and is recognized for her accomplishments, including her 2013 Joe Weider’s Olympia victory. Some of Dana’s training sessions that are pertinent to bodybuilders have been uploaded. Dana has enormous female biceps, so her arms should paint a clear picture for you. In addition, Dana Linn Bailey has introduced Dana Linn Bailey Daily, an online workout program for people who are unable to visit the Warehouse gym. Her plan offers specialized daily workouts for her audience in various weightlifting sports, along with a basic, all-purpose meal plan, for a monthly fee. This helps her clients achieve their fitness objectives.
Renee Enos
- Full Name: Renee Enos
- Born: 9 April 1987
- Age: 37 years
Renee Enos is a female bodybuilder from America. She has been building muscle naturally for years by lifting large weights and consuming an excessive amount of food. Although she was born in Hawaii, in 2008 she relocated to the mainland. Her numerous followers on social media are a result of the cosplay photos she posts there.
Juliana Esteso
- Full Name: Juliana Esteso
- Born: 6 February 1994
- Age: 30 years
Juliana Esteso is a well-known Brazilian female bodybuilder on social media and in the world of female fitness. The Brazilian athlete’s developed lower body combined with a more toned upper body helped her succeed in the IFBB Wellness division when it debuted in France in 2017. Juliana is a Brazilian fitness expert and weightlifter. Her popularity in bodybuilding has gained her a large social media following. Her quads and hamstrings are incredibly muscular, even with leggings covering them up.
Cydney Gillion
- Full Name: Cydney Gillion
- Born: 14 September 1992
- Age: 31 years
African-American female bodybuilder Cydney Gillon is a professional figure in the IFBB. In the field of female bodybuilding, she has won numerous accolades. For example, from 2017 to 2022, she won the Figure Olympia competition six times in a row. Gillon studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where she graduated from the School of Arts and Sciences with a degree in psychology. From 2010 to 2014, she participated in competitions for the University of Pennsylvania’s track team. In addition, Gillion competed in the reality TV show Survivor as a cast member, placing fourth overall.
Linda Durbesson
- Full Name: Linda Durbesson
- Born: 20 December 1979
- Age: 44 years
The brand is owned by French personal trainer and social media celebrity Linda Durbesson. Linda has one of the most amazing female physiques in the business because she loves the gym. She has, however, overcome many obstacles in the past, such as overcoming depression in her 20s. She serves as a source of motivation for female bodybuilders nowadays. She is well known for both her exceptional physique and her distinct training philosophy. After moving from France to the United States, Durbesson had a difficult adolescent life, but she overcame it to become the icon she is today. She is most likely well-known to the general public because of her regular appearances in fitness publications and on social media. Because of her well-known body type, accomplishments in fitness, and regular appearance in fitness magazines and social media, she is most likely well-known to the general public. Since 2014, she has had several successes during her frequently successful modeling career.
Monique Jones
- Full Name: Monique Jones
- Born: 12 March 1979
- Age: 45 years
According to the IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilding Ranking List, American bodybuilder Monique Jones is ranked seventh among all female bodybuilders. Ever since she purchased her first gym membership, she has been a part of the fitness industry. In 2010, the American celebrity competed as a heavyweight female bodybuilder and placed first in the IFBB North American Championships. Her IFBB Pro card was given to her. In the 2019 Rising Phoenix World Championships, she finished fifth as well. In 2001, she participated in the SNBF show in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where she finished first overall. She was approached by the judges in 2007 while attending the nationals in Charleston, South Carolina, and they advised her to transition into bodybuilding, which she did.
Rachelle Carter
- Full Name: Rachelle Carter
- Born: 20 July 1985
- Age: 38 years
The International Federation of Bodybuilding is where American professional fitness instructor Rachelle Carter gained her most notoriety. Since the beginning of her career, she has received numerous accolades. The fact that she placed second at the 2014 NPC National Championships was one of her greatest achievements. Additionally, she finished third in the 2013 NPC Pittsburgh Championships. She also achieved a second-place ranking at the 2013 IFBB North American Championships.
Missy Truscott
- Full Name: Missy Truscott
- Nationality: American
American bodybuilder and IFBB Pro fitness model Missy Truscott is well-known. In the realm of bodybuilding and fitness, she is already a shining star. Truscott’s impeccable physique and remarkable exercise routine are contributing to her daily growth on social media.
Rita Jairath
- Full Name: Rita Jairath
- Nationality: Indian
A well-known athlete from India in the women’s bodybuilding scene is Rita Jairath. She has received numerous honors, including the International Federation of Bodybuilding’s (IFBB) Pro-Card. She is a member of the highest caliber international show judging panel as well as a judge at an IFBB Pro-League International.
Ariel Khadr
- Full Name: Ariel Khadr
- Born: 8 September 1992
- Age: 31 years
Ariel Khadr is a sponsored athlete, model, and competitor in the IFBB Fitness Pro division. She gave up her childhood gymnastics career at the age of sixteen, and she started competing in fitness shows. Just one year later, at the age of seventeen, she received her Pro Card. Consequently, he became the youngest IFBB Pro ever. Ariel stepped away from the stage for six years to complete her college degree after receiving her Pro Card. When she returned in 2015, she picked up where she had left off, competing in prestigious events like Mr. Olympia and the Toronto Pro Super show.
Whitney Jones
- Full Name: Whitney Jones
- Nationality: American
- Age: 45 years old
Whitney Jones is a model, personal trainer, gym owner, and fitness expert for athletes. Her career peaked in 2008 when she took home the top two bodybuilding titles, Ms. Fitness Olympia and the Arnold Classic. In the fitness industry, Whitney Jones is a well-known legend. The 45-year-old athlete is a certified personal trainer in addition to having won two Ms. Fitness Olympia titles. Both on and off stage, Jones is regarded by many as a role model. The celebrity has an Instagram page where you can follow her and see her inspirational posts.
Oksana Grishina
- Full Name: Oksana Grishina
- Born: 25 March 1978
- Age: 46 years
Born on March 25, 1978, Oksana Grishina (Russian: Оксáна Гри́шина) is a former gymnast and professional fitness competitor from Russia. After winning ten straight Arnold Classic competitions and her fourth consecutive Ms. Fitness Olympia title, she announced her retirement from competitive fitness in 2017. Oksana Grishina’s O.G. Pole Fitness is a pole fitness competition league that Grishina presently manages. It hosts a pro-am pole fitness competition at the Legion Sports Fest in Long Beach, California, as well as a professional pole sport championship at the Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas.
Grishina was raised in both Latvia and Russia after being born in Kaliningrad. She graduated with a degree in Physical Training and Sports in 2000 from the University of Kaliningrad.
She resides in California, USA, at the moment. Grishina competed as an amateur and won titles in both the European and World overall championships. In 2007, she obtained her IFBB Pro Card. The second-ever Russian athlete to receive an IFBB Fitness Pro card is Grishina.
Helle Trevino
- Full Name: Helle Trevino
- Born: 9 July 1975
- Age: 48 years
Helle is a well-known professional female bodybuilder who is Danish-American. At the Danish Nationals in 1998, she won several titles, including the heavyweight and overall categories; this was her debut show. In 2017 and 2019, she won the Phoenix World Championships. In 2011, Trevino finished 11th in the 2011 Miss Olympia and won the FIBO pro show. She finished 12th in the Ms. Olympia competition the next year. She relocated to California in 2012 to train at the Gold’s Gym in Venice from Denmark. 2015 saw Helle win the Chicago Pro, her third professional event, and earn a spot in the Rising Phoenix World Championships. Margie Martin defeated her in the Rising Phoenix World Championships of 2015. She would place third at the 2022 Miss Olympia pageant. She intends to compete again in 2024 after taking the year 2023 off. Together with her professional bodybuilder training partner Luca Pennazzato, she has received coaching from bodybuilders David Kalick, Chris Aceto, and Charles Glass.
MayLa Ash
- Full Name: Mayla Ash
- Nationality: American
Mayla is a formidable American woman bodybuilder. In 2012, she developed an intense fascination with bodybuilding, and she hasn’t looked back since. She is a three-time professional physique competitor who finished 11th at the 2019 Olympia, among many other accomplishments. America’s most well-known bodybuilder, Mayla Ash. She is one of this generation’s best female figure models. Muscle and Fitness claims that Ash competed in nine IFBB events between 2013 and 2020. Her best result came in the 2020 Mr. Olympia competition, where she placed fourth.
Stephanie Sanzo
- Full Name: Stephanie Sanzo
- Born: 2 April 1987
- Age: 37 years
Stephanie Sanzo is a personal trainer and fitness celebrity from Australia. After giving birth to her son at the age of 19, the mother of two gained 25 kg, which piqued her interest in the fitness modeling field. Since then, the exercise guru has appeared on the covers of numerous Australian fitness and health publications. She is engaged to social media celebrity and fellow fitness trainer Jamie Bisser.
Iris Kyle
- Full Name: Iris Floyd Kyle
- Born: 22 August 1974
- Age: 49 years
A multitude of accolades have led to Iris Kyle being considered the most successful female bodybuilder. African-Indian American professional female bodybuilder Chris Floyd Kyle was born Mildred Carter on August 22, 1974. Currently holding seventeen titles, including seven overall Ms. International wins and ten overall Ms. Olympia wins (the most of any female professional bodybuilder, she is the most successful female bodybuilder of all time. In the IFBB Pro Women’s Bodybuilding Ranking List of 2013, she was listed as the top female bodybuilder. Throughout her career, Iris has won more IFBB professional titles than any other female bodybuilder, with seventeen overall and three professional heavyweight titles.
Nicki Chartrand
- Full Name: Nicki Chartrand
- Born: 12 February 1985
- Age: 39 years
One of the most stunning female bodybuilders on Instagram is Nicki Chartrand. During the 2016 Canadian Body Building Federation (CBBF) Nationals, she earned her pro card in female bodybuilding. In 2020, the well-known bodybuilder participated in her first Olympia, placing eighth in the competition.
Alana Shipp
- Full Name: Alana Shipp
- Born: 1982
- Age: 41 years old
Based in Jerusalem, Alana Shipp is a professional Barbadan female bodybuilder. Shipp qualified for the 2014 Ms. Olympia in 2014, her first year of professional competition. She competed as a professional for the first time and placed fourth in her first Ms. Olympia, mirroring Sheila Bleck’s success from the 2010 Ms. Olympia. Shipp and her two kids currently reside in Virginia with their spouse, Kenneth Shipp, who works for the US Consulate.
Shanique Grant
- Full Name: Shanique Grant
- Born: 10 August 1995
- Age: 28 years
American bodybuilder Shanique Grant is well-known as an IFBB professional. When she was nineteen, she won the East Coast Championships. At the age of 23, she captured her first Women’s Physique Olympia title in 2018 and then again in 2019. The well-known American finished second in the 2020 Olympia. Shanique finished first in the East Coast Championships at the age of 19, demonstrating her remarkable ability to accomplish amazing things at such a young age. At this point, her fitness journey got going, and she started to establish herself in the fitness industry. Renowned bodybuilders like Dallas McCarver and Phil Heath have been mentioned by Shanique as some of her primary influences. Shanique looks up to them and wants to succeed in her career just as much as they have.
Samantha Shorkey
- Full Name: Samantha Shorkey
- City: Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada)
Samantha Shorkey is one of the biggest female bodybuilders on Instagram and one of the best vegans in the world. Because of her vegan diet and rigorous training regimen, she has a sizable online fan base. Shorkey is not only physically fit but also a writer and blogger.
Angelica Teixeira
- Full Name: Angelica Teixeira
- Born: March 10, 1985
- Age: 39 years
Brazilian fitness model and 2017 Ms. Olympia Angelica Teixeira was born. Known for her remarkable achievements in bikini competitions, Angelica won the esteemed Ms. Bikini Olympia title just three and a half years after her debut.
But Angelica’s path to fame wasn’t without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges Angelica faced upon moving to America in 2009 was her limited command of the English language. She was consequently unable to advance in her career as a fitness model and personal trainer.
However, Angelica didn’t let that deter her from achieving her goals. She eventually became fluent in English, which helped her launch a spectacular career in personal coaching and bikini contests.
Brazilian-born Angelica is a bikini fitness model. She participated in Ms Olympia for the first time in 2017 and went on to win the Ms. Olympia Bikini in 2020. On social media, where her following is constantly expanding, the 36-year-old is already a favorite among fans.
Wrapping Up
While summarizing the inspiring journey and achievements of the 27 best female bodybuilders of 2024, we not only celebrate their physical strength but also their unwavering determination and spirit. Their dedication to their hard work and how they overcame challenges, serve as a powerful inspiration to all, regardless of gender. They have not only redefined themselves in bodybuilding but have also set a new standard for what it means to be strong, confident, and fearless and set an example for the world.
