by Kathy DiMartino, CPT, CNHP, WNBF Pro

I was first introduced to female bodybuilding in the early 1980s. Ms. Olympia, Cory Everson, had not yet hit her stride, and competitors such as Tonya Knight, Rachel McLish, and Laura Crevalle were in the spotlight frequently. The male bodybuilding arena always tended to draw more attention, and with that came more male bodybuilders. It wasn’t until the consistent promotion of women’s bodybuilding (mainly how their physiques were eschewing muscles and developing curves) that more women began pursuing bodybuilding.

So how did women back then, and more importantly, how do women today, become bodybuilders? Certainly weight training would have to be a major focus, encompassing everything from specific exercises to training cycles and more. Eating healthfully, sleeping restfully, and getting plenty of water are also paramount to success. But what about the rest of the puzzle? How does a woman ensure progress? What training cycle should she pursue? What about supplements? And the big question, “How will she fit this into her schedule – filled with work demands, childcare and loving, family time, studies, and never-ending errands?”

The big picture would look something like this -- your physical training will affect you on all levels: mind, body and spirit. The physical stress placed on the body to develop a hard, chiseled physique takes its toll on your every cell. The psychological effects range from “I can’t do this” to “I am here at last” and everything in between. The spiritual element should be addressed throughout the journey, as it truly becomes the foundation of why you are doing the bodybuilding in the first place. Enlist this distinct realization into your training approach. Since there are certainly areas that you may not be able to develop, heal, improve, or affect, consider developing a “team” of your own.

Ideally, the team should consist of a Certified Personal Trainer well-versed in all facets of bodybuilding training, not just the exercise aspect. Then consider the body’s needs as you pound out heavy weights and cardio sessions. How can you repair those muscles for future workouts? Licensed Massage Therapy is tremendous muscle therapy , and promotes healing and relaxation. Myofascial Release Therapy can also play a vital role as the therapist works to reduce pain and specific imbalances that lead to improper movements of muscles. Other techniques to consider include acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and Feldenkrais and Bach Flower Therapy. These are holistic therapies that many may not understand, but speaking from personal experience, without these intuitive professionals on my “team” my journey would not have been as smooth. The more awareness you have of your own body, the more awareness you will have of your imbalances. The body is awakened on all levels. Your focus becomes clearer, your abilities more applicable, and your energy supply more available. Your personalized team members will be invaluable to your success.

Do consider female bodybuilding, yet realize that sets and reps and cardiovascular activities are not the only factors. Treat your body as a whole and you will be rewarded on levels that surpass any trophies, medals, or awards.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kathy DiMartino is a world-class drugfree bodybuilder. She owns and operates YOUtopia Wellness and PROfitness of Rochester, LLC. She can be reached at (585) 385-7781.