14 Incredible Very Muscular Women (Photo)

If you were feeling feeling rather self-conscious about carrying a little extra flab this winter, then look away now.

There’s no room for slacking in the world of female bodybuilding as the women who posed for these incredible portraits show. They have honed their physiques over years of dedication, hard work and determination.

The international athletes were captured at the peak of their physical condition by acclaimed photographer and artist Martin Schoeller.

 The competitive sport of female bodybuilding has origins in the bikini contests of the 1960s but the first true event was the U.S. Women’s National Physique Championship in 1978 – which judged participants solely on their muscles.