these photos capture the powerful, fierce women that normalise female muscularity

Female Muscularity is not just a social media fad, it’s a body type that allows women to feel empowered within themselves. These women subvert the notion that muscles are of the masculine gender. It’s funny because we know they are genderless. It’s just fibrous tissue at the end of the day.

We went to the gym with an advocate of muscular females, Jessie Lee a 21-year-old. We went weight-lifting with a group of five women varying in muscularity. And explored the poses of bikini model Natalia Jachura. Each woman presented their individual strength in their own unique way, all just as beautiful as each other and all just as strong. Yet this is not to say that the process of getting there was easy – the strength of the body and the mind are both an art. Be proud of how your body looks and performs now and you will soon learn how to progress.

“I think women should be kinder to each other.”

To appreciate the skin you’re in yourself you need to appreciate other females’ too. Self-love doesn’t just come from within it also comes from the impression’s others have of us. So stop scrolling with envy wishing you were one of those shiny new Gymshark girls, and instead embrace they are individuals with their own goals. Their success didn’t come from wishing on thin air.

We are all different.

No two people are the same – something that is surprisingly hard to remember. No matter how hard you work, how much you diet, how much you exercise. You will always look like you and only you! So do it for yourself and you’ll be shocked at how much better it makes you feel. We are a generation that craves approbation from one another. But remember no two people have the same perception of the ‘ideal’ body – you can’t please them all.

Muscles can be feminine.

Who is to say that muscles can only be obtained by a man? Never fear to push your body to new limits because of the risk you might look ‘too manly’. They’re not a trophy of strength either. They’re simply a part of your body and if you work for them, be proud of them.

Femininity is what you make of it.

There are no set criteria for femininity.

Full article in issue 355.