8 Muscle-Packed Fitness Divas We Adore
Vixen is pulling the plug on the body-shaming, and celebrating the muscle-packed physiques of our favorite fitness queens dominating the sports and fitness world.
In light of another one of Serena's Wimbledon achievements–racking up her sixth Wimbledon win and 21st Grand Slam title– the haters were, of course, cued in.
Unnecessarily commenting on the No. 1 tennis player in the world's muscle-packed build and beautifully bulked form, the New York Times came under fire for their choice words regarding Williams, describing her frame to be "built like a man." Though several Twitter users took to her defense and criticized the publication for their denouncement of Williams' body image, the article continued on to comment on smaller framed white female athletes who feared their bodies becoming like the world's No.1 tennis star.
READ: Twitter Was Not Here For This Serena Williams Body Image Article By ‘The New York Times’
Stereotypically, male athletes are praised for their muscly brawn, while female athletes are menaced for it. Influence even published a list of 20 athletes who struggled with eating disorders as a result of this sort of body criticism. From binge-eating, to anorexia, to bulimia, insecurities about body image have long gone overlooked, and even claimed the lives of some athletes.
Vixen is pulling the plug on the body-shaming, and celebrating the muscle-packed physiques of our favorite fitness queens dominating the sports and fitness world.
Serena Williams
Serena leads in our beloved fitness diva checklist with her gorgeously toned biceps and muscular frame built to a queen’s size. The world’s No. 1 leading tennis star recently was also The New York Times’ topic of conversation when the news publication came under fire for criticizing Williams’ fit physique.
Massiel "Massy" Arias
This certified fitness maven based out of L.A. is more than a triple threat, mastering yoga, resistance training, high intensity interval training and much more. Her expertise definitely shows through her powerful build and athletic shape. “I one day hope to influence a new generation of trainers to teach people a lifestyle instead of a quick fix to get a bikini body,” Arias’ website reads. “I want to teach people to fully believe that being healthy really is being happy.”
Qimmah Russo
Fitness sensation and lead trainer of Q-Flex Fitness, Qimmah Russo, comes from an agile family, with a footballer brother and baseball-sporting father. Her fit is best described as proportionally toned as her workouts have blessed her with radiant rock hard abdominals, and gorgeously ripped arms and legs.
Misty Copeland
American Ballet Theatre’s first black principal dancer rocks a powerhouse of shapely structures that have helped this ballet beauty conquer her dancing career. Challenging the prototypical ballet body build, Copeland has a sculpted frame that, at one point, she struggled with due to insecurities, according to Self Magazine. “I noticed that most people didn’t have the same rigid expectations I had about how their bodies should look. Gradually, I started to feel more relaxed and comfortable in my frame—and even happy with it.”
Ronda Rousey
This fiery UFC Women’s Bantamweight champ takes the utmost pride in not only her boxing skills, but her muscled mold as well. She also made sure to let her male counterparts know about her athletic capabilities, too.
Jeanette Jenkins
Hollywood Trainer’s head trainer in charge has beauty, brains and build, and is a fearless TV world frequenter. She's achieved the title of the first female winner on Fear Factor. Jenkins is also one of Nike’s 17 leading experts for their Elite Athletes program. Some of her noted trainees are Kelly Rowland, Queen Latifah and Tia Mowry.
Wendy Ida
This fit and fabulous 63-year-old Guinness World Record breaker sports an insanely tone-packed build. Ms. Ida truly embodies a strong, healthy lifestyle where she emphasizes the importance of fitness for health versus looking good. She is also an 8-time national champ in a skew of awards, like NPC Body Building and Figure Championships.
Sanya Richards-Ross
Kingston-bred Olympic Gold Medalist takes body and build to a stunningly gorgeous level with pumped arms, solid abs and hasty legs of steel. “Everything in moderation,” the No. 1 ranked 400mm dasher told Shape Magazine. “I think sometimes we go through phases and we obsess over what's best, whether it's about eating, or fitness, or resting, and I think that if you can just do everything in moderation, I think that's the best.”
