I’m going to try and see if I can show that not all female bodybuilders are created equal. As with many endeavors, bodybuilding can be taken to varying lengths and in varying directions.
I think that, for female bodybuilders, the true watershed comes with the decision to take or not take testosterone and/or human growth hormone, which leads to clear masculinization (e.g. receding hairline, jaw widening, etc.). Steroids, when taken, have their own side effects, but don’t always detract from a woman’s facial beauty … it’s a more hit-and-miss thing. Of course, the desirability or undesirability of any athlete will be up to the eye of the beholder … and all of the women of which I am going to post pictures have many fans and admirers.
I will not hot-link the sites, so that thread viewers will not inadvertently click open a pic. There is no nudity or pop-ups, but I wouldn’t consider these pics work-appropriate as there are many bikini shots. The URLs will work if pasted into the Address Bar, and the space between the two forward slashes is removed (turn http:/ / into http://)
The first set is of bodybuilder Nekole Hamrick, who won the heavyweight portion of the contest mentioned in the OP (the IFBB North Americans). She demonstrates that a winning physique can be built without resorting to the “skeletal” face and non-feminine proportion. There is a big difference, IMHO, between a muscular female body (of which Nekole is an excellent example) and a muscular male body. They don’t blend together for me … I can clearly note the different proportion and shapes between the two forms.
http:/ /farm2.static.flickr.com/1183/1305835737_b860c436db_o.jpg
http:/ /tour.ftvideo.com/content/genex/contests/2007/northamericans/522677.jpg
http:/ /www.hardfitness.com/competitions/northamericans2007/npcbodybuilding/heavyweight/nekolehamrick/finals/images/DSC_4590.jpg
http:/ /www.hardfitness.com/competitions/northamericans2007/npcbodybuilding/heavyweight/nekolehamrick/finals/images/DSC_4595.jpg
http:/ /www.hardfitness.com/competitions/northamericans2007/npcbodybuilding/heavyweight/nekolehamrick/finals/images/DSC_4612.jpg
http:/ /www.hardfitness.com/competitions/northamericans2007/npcbodybuilding/heavyweight/nekolehamrick/finals/images/DSC_4628.jpg
The following pics are of of pro competitor Tazzie Colomb. She won the most recent pro contest, the Europa, a few weeks ago. The first picture is from the 2007 Europa; the others are from the mid-90s. The changes in both her physique and facial features/hairline are apparent. She is the kind of athlete I think that turns a lot of men off to female bodybuilders. I do not mean that pejoratively … I appreciate her physique quite a lot, and she is a hometown girl made good.
http:/ /www.hardfitness.com/competitions/europa2007/probodybuilding/proheavyweight/tazziecolomb/finals/images/DSC_9862.jpg
http:/ /www.raymartin.net/rmclubs/0-intros/tcolomb110/club01/images/1799.004b.jpg
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http:/ /www.raymartin.net/common/themes/hardpad/x.asp?c=/newfindex.html&afid=&hid=RM
The folowing pics, from a 2004 show, are of Brazilian competitor Renee Toney. She has taken her physique to a level that feminine proportions are lost.
http:/ /www.femuscle.org/galleries/WPF04/FO_04MsUniverse_0281.jpg
http:/ /www.femuscle.org/galleries/WPF04/FO_04MsUniverse_0088.jpg
http:/ /www.femuscle.org/galleries/WPF04/FO_04MsUniverse_0111.jpg
http:/ /www.femuscle.org/galleries/WPF04/FO_04MsUniverse_0154.jpg
http:/ /www.femuscle.org/galleries/WPF04/FO_04MsUniverse_0247.jpg
http:/ /www.femuscle.org/galleries/WPF04/FO_04MsUniverse_0292.jpg
The next to sets of pics are of amateur bodybuilder Jennifer Abrams and figure competitor Elissa Schlicter (who was an amateur bodybuilder in the 90s). Like Nekole Hamrick above, these two women represent a less extreme direction in physical development. Abrams has borne two children during her competitive career. Schlicter is 47 years old, and IMHO her exercise regimen has helped her look a lot younger.
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http:/ /wpw.net/wpwclubs/0-intros/jabrams681/club02/images/ja2.011b.jpg
http:/ /wpw.net/wpwclubs/0-intros/lschlichter705/club01/images/ls1.021b.jpg
http:/ /wpw.net/wpwclubs/0-intros/lschlichter705/club04/images/ls4.012b.jpg