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The Guardian // World // Europe

What do we mean when we say women can be ‘too muscular’?

Monday 21st April 2025, 1:00PM

We are conditioned to associate muscles with power, dominance and masculinity, which harms us allWhat does it mean when we call a woman “too muscular”?A muscular woman has historically been a difficult woman. The way we perceive beauty in the muscular form is influenced by many factors, not least of which is gender, and it goes far beyond aesthetics. “Too muscular” can call into question one’s identity as a woman: are you a real woman if your muscles are bigger than the societal norm? “Too muscular” can also be accusatory: are you a cheat, guilty of using steroids or other performance-enhancing drugs? Continue reading...

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