| The first women bodybuilding contests were the Miss | | | | the most prestigious contest among professional |
| Physique and Miss Americana Contests of the early | | | | bodybuilders. It must be noted that during these times, |
| 1960s. During these early contests, emphasis was on | | | | the entrants were mostly naturally endowed with their |
| the "pleasing" female form, so the contests were really | | | | muscular bodies and the winners of such contests had |
| more like the bikini contests of today. Women who | | | | very little weight training experience. This trend was to |
| were serious bodybuilders rarely won because the | | | | change in 1983 when the more muscular contestants |
| judges preferred to see seductive curves. | | | | resulting from intensive weight training programs |
| In 1978, the 1st US Women's National Physique | | | | started appearing in the contests. |
| Championship was held in Canton, Ohio. This was the | | | | In 1986, the American Federation of Women |
| first contest where the competitors were judged on | | | | Bodybuilders was founded and along with the Ms. |
| musculature as well as poise. Although considered to | | | | International contest - the first one sanctioned by the |
| be the birth of the true female bodybuilding competition, | | | | International Federation of Bodybuilders and aired on |
| many consider women bodybuilding competitions to be | | | | national television. These developments triggered a |
| officially inaugurated with the establishment of the | | | | national awareness of the women bodybuilders in the |
| National Physique Committee in 1980 and the launching | | | | US and from these humble beginnings, women |
| of the 1st NPC National Competition. That same year | | | | bodybuilding competitions evolved into the global sport |
| gave birth to the Ms. Olympia contest, which is now | | | | that is known today. |