Show off those (muscle) curves, ladies
Christmas Abbott
Christmas Abbott is a top CrossFit athlete, an Olympic lifter, and NASCAR pit crew front tire changer (so, an all-around badass). She’s proof that you can be strong enough to throw hundreds of pounds overhead and still rock the hell out of a bikini.
Lolo Jones
Training for two Olympic sports means Lolo Jones is the ultimate female athlete (and, obv, has muscles for days). She posted this photo on Instagram, joking, “I can’t run like Baywatch Pamela Anderson, it looks more like when Rocky was racing Apollo on the beach in Rocky lll.”
Misty Copeland
To those who say dancers aren’t athletes, take one look at Misty Copeland’s muscles and dare say it again.
Serena Williams
As Sports Illustrated’s 2015 Sportsperson of the Year, Serena is serving up more than just top-notch tennis game—she’s showing off a crazy hot (and strong) body too.
Massy Arias
Proof that #girlswholift can pull off cut-offs as well as they can Nike Pro spandex.
Ronda Rousey
She may no longer be undefeated, but Rousey will forever be a winner in our hearts. Why? She’s proving you can be strong as hell inside and outside the ring.
Sanya Richards Ross
This four-time Olympic champion runner is “#OnAMission #RoadToRio” while training in this Instagram snap. The only thing sexier than those muscles? Her determination to snag title number five.
Anya Ells
As the winner of the 2015 Arnold Amateur Bikini division, Anya Ells knows exactly how to work those muscles—whether it’s in a squat rack or a winter photoshoot.
Natasha Hastings
This Olympic champion and Under Armour athlete swapped her sprinting gear for beach gear as she vacationed in Cozumel.
Maddy Curley
CrossFit star Maddy Curley started as a competitive gymnast for University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (recognize her from Stick It?). She’s since swapped flipping for kipping—but has stayed crazy strong through it all.
Dallas Friday
If you’ve never thought of wakeboarding, Dallas Friday will make you want to it, ASAP. A four-time X Games gold medalist and athlete in ESPN’s 2015 Bodies We Want list, she has both serious skill and sex appeal.
Jeanette Jenkins
Workout clothes, pumps, bikinis—Hollywood trainer Jeanette Jenkins shows that muscular curves go with them all. (We can see why celebs like Shape cover star Kelly Rowland turn to her for killer workouts.)
Chantae McMillan
The American Olympian heptathlete that preaches “strong is the new beautiful” has literally ripped dresses with her lats (and not on purpose). But with a body like that, who needs clothes?
Ali Krieger
Alie Krieger, U.S. Women’s Soccer star (and World Cup champion, let’s not forget), let it all out for the 2015 ESPN The Magazine Body Issue. After serious health complications from a broken leg while playing for Penn State in 2006, we think she should show off her strong (and resilient!) body every chance she gets.