BODY BUILD ING

Feminists have long demanded the right to decent health care and good physical health. In the past ten years women have explored interdisciplinary approaches to health and healing with the wholistic health concept in the forefront. One of the fundametal assumptions of the wholistic health movement is that an individual's perceptions of herself and the world are altered by the state of her physical health, and vice versa. Anne Kent Rush, author of 1. Getting Clear and proponent of wholistic health, states:

One of the most liberating realizations for me has been that if I change, I can change what happens to me; this has led me to feel that my personal power is determined by the state of my awareness and energy. Power is not whether I have a doctorate or a certain job. That does not give me power over the things that affect me deeply. What affects me most and what I see affecting others most are inner feelings.

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(Getting Clear, page 13) As these feelings affect the person, so they affect physical and mental health.

The "politics of body work” imply a recognition and acceptance of the whole self. Feminists involved in the healing arts have integrated one of the basic teachings of consciousness-raising: to enjoy and sup. port another woman's success requires that my own worth and effectiveness are clear to me. The goalsetting and definite progress that a supportive exercise program offers seems to boost self-confidence

and the belief in the potential of other women. Locally these programs have started at the Women's Wholistic Center.

One of the new programs at the Center is the women's bodybuilding class held four times weekly. This class, organized by Sally Stohlmann, is gaining popularity as the benefits of bodybuilding become known to more women. Although bodybuilding does contribute to physical strength and endurance, it is no longer a traditionally male domain. Sally's own history and the growth of competitive bodybuilding testify to its growing acceptance among women:

After a period of weight loss and aerobic exercise at a women's health spa, Sally started a program at a

Nautilus center in order to condition for sports such as racquetball and softball. She became interested in bodybuilding as a result of the strength she gained using Nautilus equipment. After eight years, Sally is now involved in workouts with free weights which she prefers to stationary equipment. Sally feels that bodybuilding offers conditioning for her work and sports and has enhanced her self-concept considerably.

Because an integral part of the bodybuilding program is the establishment and attainment of personal strength goals within a definite time frame, Sally feels that the competition is primarily with oneself, rather than with the other women in the class. Her current goal is to shape and push her body to more extreme limits, with the possibility of competing in bodybuilding events. Sally definitely feels that she is involved in redefining a standard of feminine physique and fitness. She feels more attractive, as do other women in the class who have had just a few weeks of work. She commands respect, and attributes some of that to the stress management that regular workouts offer..

The bodybuilding room itself is equipped entirely with equipment that Sally owns, including barbells, dumbells, incline and flat benches, and a pulley system. She can handle up to 12 women in the room at a time, and would like to purchase more equipment and stay open longer hours. Sally wanted to start a women-only space because she is aware of the problems women have with intimidating, macho athletic environments set up primarily for men. She is also interested in sharing her skills, information and enthusiasm for bodybuilding with other women in a supportive environment. If the response of the class is any indication, she is on the right track.

Top: Jamie does the bent-over row to strengthen her back and arms.

Left: Pat uses the barbells to strengthen her arms.

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Tune 1983/What She Wants/Pape 11

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