[cpbell0033944]

I appreciate that this might not be the best forum for the discussion I'd like to prompt, so sorry to Lingster and AlexG in advance if this is the case, but here goes:

I was using earlier today that, even allowing for population size, the number of British buff women in some kind of competitive endeavour seems very low.  Also, British awarenes and acceptance of femuscle seems utterly minimal.  Compared to the US and Canada, where it seems that there's an article in the press about an FBB or fitness/figure competitor almost every week, here, I can't remember the last time that happened.  To me, it seems as though the concept of female buffness here is almost non-existent.
Am I living an even more sheltered life than I thought, or am I sadly right when it comes to UK buff ladies and the public's seeming utter indifference or strong dislike, as we've seen in the tretment of women like Serena Williams (for whom I have much less respect ever since she behaved atrociously at Wimbledon last month) in the 'red-top' papers especially?  I'm mainly aiming this at fellow UK members, but, equally, I would be interested in knowledgeable opinion from everyone else, too. 🙂

[AlexG]

Technicality, it probably should have been posted in the Free for All forum . . . but I'll leave it stay put.  😉  ;D  8)

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[cpbell0033944]

Technicality, it probably should have been posted in the Free for All forum . . . but I'll leave it stay put.  😉  ;D  8)

Thanks Alex – I felt that it might have become lost there.  Do you have any insight into the question that I posed?

[stmercy2020]

I can't really speak to the question of British FBB, but I can say that, at least in my part of the U.S., femuscle is still regarded as outre and extreme.  The perception that it makes the mainstream media more often in the U.S. may, in part, be because even our special interest publications tend to have a relatively large following in terms of sheer numbers as opposed to those of other, less populous countries, and, as a result, we can afford to make those publications flashier.

Even so, it's pretty rare to see an article about FBB in any mainstream publication such as Newsweek, the NY Times, the Washington Post, etc.  Most of America simply doesn't have the interest.

[cpbell0033944]

I can't really speak to the question of British FBB, but I can say that, at least in my part of the U.S., femuscle is still regarded as outre and extreme.  The perception that it makes the mainstream media more often in the U.S. may, in part, be because even our special interest publications tend to have a relatively large following in terms of sheer numbers as opposed to those of other, less populous countries, and, as a result, we can afford to make those publications flashier.

Even so, it's pretty rare to see an article about FBB in any mainstream publication such as Newsweek, the NY Times, the Washington Post, etc.  Most of America simply doesn't have the interest.

Oh don't get me wrong; I fully understand that it's rare over in the US too.  What I was referring to was degrees of rarity.  Lingster quite often links to an article about a strong woman in the US regional press, and there was tat articl on one the Today show about Kara Mann some time back.  I mean that even this level of exposure doesn't happen here, and that the very idea that a woman can be muscular is just never seemingly considered here.  The only UK coverage I can think of about the subject was the Muscle Worship programme, which was part of a "let's look at wierd people that we can laugh at and thereby feel better about ourselves because we're not freaky like they are" series on Channel 5 about schmoes.  Not exactly good publicity. >:(

[00tree]

I am an American and femuscle is regarded as an oddity in the regions of the country that I have lived in as well. I have had several gym memberships in the last eight years and have only seen three actual female bodybuilders in the gym. I had several discussions with them about several different topics such as the reaction they received from the public, if they competed and where, and of curse were they single  😉 Woman bodybuilders will more than likely always be regarded as "odd" due to their extreme, which some view as obsessive, dedication to their sport.

Female athletes in general are not seen very favorably. Just look at how the womens pro soccer or basketball players are talked about by most people. Offensive words like "slut" or "dike" or commonly use.

I think that it is very sad that people can't just respect them for their athleticism even if they don't care for the visually aspect of a muscular woman. A lot of people watch male pro sports and are not attracted to men. The last time I sat and watched a NFL game, strongman competition, or a martial arts tournament and thought hmm.. I hope that guy win because he has a nice ass was like oh… NEVER!!! I'm heterosexual and watch some male sports every now and then. I can watch woman compete and appreciate an athlete for their skill and not their appearance.

[Mort Bailey]

Great topic. I've often thought the same thing. Though I by no means have convinced myself that we Brits have had it any better or worse. In my opinion it all boils down to the fact that there really isn't much on an interest in competitive bodybuilding as a sport when compared to the US especially the women. I By which I mean a market that dictates that bodybuilding is unable to attain sufficient investment to propel, quite simply, the idea behind it.
The reason why I partially disagree is the list I have in my head of female bodybuilders or fitness types, who are British, isn't what I'd call minute. I'll write it down sometime in the future; I just can't be bothered now.

[cpbell0033944]

I am an American and femuscle is regarded as an oddity in the regions of the country that I have lived in as well. I have had several gym memberships in the last eight years and have only seen three actual female bodybuilders in the gym. I had several discussions with them about several different topics such as the reaction they received from the public, if they competed and where, and of curse were they single  😉 Woman bodybuilders will more than likely always be regarded as "odd" due to their extreme, which some view as obsessive, dedication to their sport.

Female athletes in general are not seen very favorably. Just look at how the womens pro soccer or basketball players are talked about by most people. Offensive words like "slut" or "dike" or commonly use.

I think that it is very sad that people can't just respect them for their athleticism even if they don't care for the visually aspect of a muscular woman. A lot of people watch male pro sports and are not attracted to men. The last time I sat and watched a NFL game, strongman competition, or a martial arts tournament and thought hmm.. I hope that guy win because he has a nice ass was like oh… NEVER!!! I'm heterosexual and watch some male sports every now and then. I can watch woman compete and appreciate an athlete for their skill and not their appearance.

Agreed 100%.  Oh, and Mort, I'd love to see your list of British competitors – I know of very few. ::)

[AlexG]

Off the top of my head I can think of three Brits of Buffedness, FBBrs, of course  😉

Joanne Lee (talk about Thundra-buffed in her prime, but the blonde version.)

Source: WPW-V283 – Joanne Lee

“I like a good story well told. That is the reason I am sometimes forced to tell them myself.”
~ Mark Twain / Samuel Clemens (1907)

[cpbell0033944]

I didn't know Adrulla Blanchette was British Alex – her name  seems very American. 😮

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