There are plenty of women out there who are pushing it in the gym, working harder than the guys to pack on muscle and achieve stunning physiques.
We scoured social media to find some of the fittest, most built women around, and came up with a list of ladies who we guarantee will get you motivated to hit the gym a little (or maybe a lot) harder.
Get Inspired by These Strong Women
These 18 women prove that building muscle isn’t limited by gender. Whether they are lifting heavy, breaking records, or inspiring millions through social media, they showcase the power of dedication and hard work. Follow them on Instagram for motivation and workout ideas to fuel your fitness journey!
Nataliya Kuznetsova isn’t your average female bodybuilder. The Russian lifter sports proportions that look unreal, and it’s no surprise that she’s amassed nearly half a million followers on the ‘Gram. Multiple sources call her the heaviest known professional female bodybuilder, and we wouldn’t be surprised if that’s true. According to one of her posts, she stands at 5’7″ and weighs in at over 220 pounds in the off season. By the look of it, none of those pounds are fat.
Powerlifter, physical therapy doctor, and Instagram sensation Stefi Cohen is absolutely jacked, and she’s even stronger than she looks. With 25 all-time world records under her belt, Cohen is an icon in the strength community. At her last meet, she deadlifted 456 pounds for a world record, squatted 446 pounds for another world record, and benched 226. Her total, 1,124 pounds, was also a world record. As if that weren’t enough of an accomplishment, she did it all after dropping 15 pounds to compete at 114 pounds—her lightest weight in three years.
Dana Linn Bailey has been in the lifting game for a long time, and was the first Women’s Physique Olympia champion in 2013. She’s still known for her chiseled physique, has over 2 million followers on Instagram, and co-owns Warhouse Gym with her husband, Rob Bailey.
Linda Durbesson is a certified PT who preaches wellness and health to her more than one million followers on Instagram. She shares plenty of workouts and tips on her page for fans to follow.
Powerlifter and pharmacist Jessica Buettner has a deadlift PR of 545 pounds, which probably makes her stronger than most of your gym buddies. The Canadian lifter is also a Type 1 diabetic, but that doesn’t stop her from pushing her limits in the gym.
It’s hard to find someone more clearly dedicated to leg day than Juliana Esteso, who competes in the IFBB’s Wellness division. She’s been at the top of her game for years, and she doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon.
Fitness fanatic and self-prolaimed “fitnerd” Renee Enos is as comfortable in the gym as she is in theatrical-quality cosplay. The Hawaii native discovered her love of fitness after moving to mainland USA, and she hasn’s slowed down since.
Maddy Lulu-Belle Daniel may be a budding powerlifter these days, but her abs might trick you into thinking she’s about to take the stage once again for a figure competition.
Belgium-based fitness star Savannah Prez has amassed more than 638,000 Instagram followers, and we’re guessing it has to do with her incredibly jacked quads. You’ll never want to skip leg day again after taking a look at her Instagram feed.
Guusje Van Geel’s abs are impressive, and so is her fashion sense. Her Instagram feed is a fusion of killer outfits and motivational fitness posts. What’s not to love?
One look at Carriejune Anne Bowlby’s legs will prove that she lifts big weight, and her shredded core speaks to her years-long journey in the weight room. She went from stick-thin to thick and strong, and she’s gained 1.2 million followers along the way.
Renowned and now retired female bodybuilder Shanique Grant has been dominating the female physique world with her Two Time Women’s Physique, Olympia Champion Title.
There isn’t much information on Yuan Herong other than her social media accounts and that she’s from Qingdao, China but her waist to hip ratio is out of this world.
It’s not hard to see why Bakhar Nabieva boasts 2.8 million followers on Instagram. The social media fitness star has some of the biggest legs and one of the smallest waists around, rocking a physique that any bodybuilder would kill for.
This U.S. Marine sergeant and mother doesn’t mess around in the gym, and she’s got the arms to prove it. With more than 103,000 Instagram followers, it’s clear that fans can’t get enough of her impressive physique.
From earning her BA in exercise and sports science to competing on the big stage at the Olympia competition and winning four time the Ms. Olympia title Andrea Shaw is our queen of muscles.
