Bodybuilding as a sport has experienced its ebbs and flows over the years locally, and has been primarily dominated by males in The Bahamas in recent years, despite the success of a few female bodybuilders.
Dekel “Bowflex Barbie” Quant, Cara Saunders, and Dawn Charlton have all achieved accolades in the sport and are encouraging more women to try it and compete, while quashing misconceptions about bodybuilding taking away one’s femininity.
Quant made history last year as the first Bahamian female to qualify for Ms. Olympia. She described bodybuilding as a sport that has different layers and looks different for each woman.
“Bodybuilding is not one thing,” she said. “It is not one look, one standard, or one kind of woman. Every division has its own requirements, its own artistry, and its own demand for precision. What unites them all is something far deeper than aesthetics: discipline, sacrifice, and the quiet, unshakeable belief that you are capable of more than you ever gave yourself credit for.
“I already had a solid foundation of muscle when I made the decision to compete, and the way I love to train aligned perfectly with what figure bodybuilding rewards: symmetry, balance, and a flow that feels both powerful and undeniably feminine. For me, it is the sweet spot between strength, athleticism and grace, and honestly, I fall in love with it all over again every season.”
Quant, who primarily competes in the figure division, has competed in numerous international competitions and excelled on various stages. She said the stiff competition has made qualifying for Ms. Olympia even more special, and urged other Bahamian women to try their hand at the sport.
“The competition is fierce, the standards are high, and the fields are deep,” she said. “That is part of what made earning my IFBB [International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation] pro card, and now qualifying for the 2026 Olympia, feel so significant. Hard-won is worth winning. To every Bahamian woman reading this, I want you to know, whatever federation speaks to you, whatever division lights something up inside you, stepping on an international or global stage as a Bahamian athlete and a competitor is an honor. There is no single road there.”
Charlton, who is an IFBB professional bikini competitor, said that while there are misconceptions about bodybuilding, particularly on the female side, women can maintain their femininity despite the arduous weight training required for competition.
“One of the biggest misconceptions about women’s bodybuilding is that lifting weights will make women look masculine,” she said. “The reality is that the sport has evolved tremendously and now offers several divisions that cater to different physiques, goals, and personal preferences, including bikini, wellness, figure, women’s physique, and the newly introduced fit model division… As an IFBB pro bikini competitor, I train just as hard as athletes in other bodybuilding divisions. However, the bikini division places a strong emphasis on balance, symmetry, conditioning, and overall presentation, while maintaining a feminine physique. Femininity remains a defining characteristic of the division and is showcased through stage presence and individual posing routines.
“Beyond the physical aspect, bodybuilding teaches discipline, consistency, confidence and resilience. The benefits extend far beyond the stage and often positively impact careers, relationships, health, and personal development. I encourage any woman interested in the sport not to be discouraged by outdated myths. Strength training does not make women masculine; it empowers women by helping them build strength, confidence, and a healthier lifestyle.”
Charlton encouraged women to take the opportunity to compete in one of the divisions at the Bahamas Athletic Physique Alliance (BAPA) Elite Physique Championships, set to take place on August 15 at the University of The Bahamas (UB).
She is gearing up to compete at the Atlantic Coast Pro Show, scheduled for November 21-22.
Meanwhile, Saunders, who competes in the wellness division for the IFBB, said one of her goals is to educate, inspire, and encourage more women to try their hand at bodybuilding.
She admitted that when she first started her bodybuilding journey, there was an immense fear of “getting too big” or looking like a man, but she found that lifting weights helped her unlock newfound confidence and learn more about her body.
“My own journey is a testament that this belief is not only limiting, but inaccurate. Lifting weights did not take away my femininity; it refined my confidence, strengthened my presence, and allowed me to discover a deeper relationship with my body,” she said.
“It taught me discipline, resilience, poise, and self-ownership. More importantly, it showed me that a woman does not have to shrink herself physically or metaphorically in order to be seen as beautiful, graceful, or feminine. I appreciate this platform and the opportunity to share not only my achievements, but also the deeper meaning behind my journey: the discipline, sacrifice, confidence, self-discovery, and personal empowerment that come with building one’s body intentionally.”
Saunders said her hope is that the personal experiences of herself and other female bodybuilders will allow other women to view their physiques as assets, not liabilities.
“Whether a woman is lean, curvy, muscular, petite, athletic, or naturally powerful, there is beauty in a body that is trained, respected, and carried with confidence,” she said. “Bodybuilding gives women permission to celebrate strength without apologizing for femininity, and femininity without diminishing strength.”
As previously mentioned, BAPA will host its first fitness event of the summer on August 15.
