Women in strength sports confront gender norms and find self-determination

A recent study published in Sex roles highlights the experiences of female athletes and coaches in traditionally male-dominated strength sports such as Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit and strongman. Researchers found that women in these fields face societal expectations of femininity and strength while navigating challenges related to body image, relationships with male athletes and coaches, and underrepresentation in sports. Despite these obstacles, the women expressed their self-determination through their participation.

Strength sports remain predominantly male-dominated, with limited representation of women as athletes, coaches and managers. Women face societal stereotypes that label muscularity and physical strength as male characteristics, which continues to hinder participation and recognition in these areas.

Previous research has shown that women in male-dominated sports often face discrimination, exclusion from key networks and systemic bias, particularly in coaching roles. The researchers wanted to examine how female athletes and coaches experience these dynamics in strength sports, which have been slow to integrate women into their traditions.

“I have always been interested in why and how people play sports. As a weightlifter myself, my own experiences have sparked my curiosity about the experiences of other women in a sport that is typically male-dominated in competition, coaching and recreational participation,” said study author Brianna Newland, associate dean of the College of Business at the University of Cambridge University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.

The researchers used a qualitative approach and interviewed 21 female athletes aged 18 to 44 and four coaches who were actively involved in strength training. Participants were selected based on their identification as women and their recent competition or coaching experience in Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, or strongman. Semi-structured interviews lasting 30 to 90 minutes were conducted in which participants shared their experiences and perspectives on training, competition, body image, and relationships with male colleagues and coaches.

The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis, a method that focuses on understanding personal lived experiences and the meaning participants attach to them.

Participants described complex relationships with their bodies, often shaped by societal pressure to conform to traditional feminine ideals. Many noted that they feel insecure about their musculature in social situations where larger or visibly larger bodies are perceived as unfeminine or unattractive. However, in the gym or at competitions, these same qualities were seen as signs of strength and athleticism and fostered a sense of pride and empowerment.

Several women expressed frustration with stereotypes that equate muscularity with aggression or violence, noting that men often assume that strong women are combative or aloof. Others described how cultural myths about women’s bodies – such as fear of “massive muscles” or injuries from lifting weights – continue to discourage young girls from pursuing weight training.

Participants shared mixed experiences with their interactions with men in strength training. Many reported positive support from male colleagues who respected their abilities and were eager to learn more about their training. However, there were also frequent negative experiences, particularly in the general fitness area, where women were confronted with dismissive or sexualized comments from men. Some male trainers have been praised for their willingness to educate themselves about women-specific training needs such as the effects of hormonal cycles, but others have been criticized for a lack of awareness or empathy in this area.

Trainers pointed to systemic barriers to advancement in their field. They described feeling “invisible” or “outnumbered” in male-dominated coaching environments and noted that they often had to demonstrate their expertise repeatedly to gain the same respect given to their male colleagues .

“Sports is an area where sexism and patriarchy are still very much present,” Newland told PsyPost. “Women have made great strides in debunking long-held beliefs about girls’ and women’s participation in sports, but we still see these beliefs and a lack of growth in coaching/leadership opportunities, particularly in strength sports and those that are more violent. “Nature (e.g. gridiron football, MMA, boxing, etc.).”

Despite these challenges, women emphasized the personal and social benefits of participating in strength sports. Many described that training made them feel stronger, more confident and more capable in everyday life. They also valued the camaraderie of the training groups, which provided encouragement and fostered a sense of belonging.

For some, competition was less about winning and more about setting personal milestones and mastering their craft. These athletes viewed weight training as an opportunity for self-improvement and goal setting, rather than simply a pursuit of external validation.

“I think my own experiences were on par with those of the other women in the study,” Newland said. “I think what was so wonderful to see was the positivity around her strength and how that changed long-held societal beliefs about what it means to be a strong athlete and, by virtue of her sport, a woman in society in general. “

Participants emphasized the need for greater representation of women as athletes, coaches and leaders in strength sports. They argued that more visible role models could inspire young girls to get involved in the field and challenge persistent gender stereotypes. CrossFit, which has prioritized gender inclusivity since its inception, has been cited as a positive example of how strength sports can create inclusive spaces for women.

“There are limitations to all studies,” Newland noted. “Even though we had a nice mix of race and nationality, we don’t understand the experiences of non-binary athletes. We also did not capture the perspectives of men who play sports with women. Due to the nature of the sport, all genders can train together, providing the opportunity to learn and grow from each other through these experiences. These environments differ from traditional gyms, where all genders may work out in the same room but do not “train” together. As a next step, we would like to examine the experiences of all lifters in order to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences.”

“We would like to expand the study to include men, non-binary people and the LGTBQ community. We also want to explore the experiences of girls interested in these sports and the infrastructure they provide to support their participation. We also plan to see what happens at the governance level, particularly in terms of how female trainers are mentored and developed.”

The study, “Beyond the Barbell: Women in Strength-Based Sports and the Reshaping of Gender Norms,” was authored by Monica Knowlton and Brianna L. Newland.