FTM Fitness World is a company created in 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia, US, by Neo Sandja, a transgender man.[1] In 2014, it launched its first annual conference dedicated to the transgender community. With its motto "Fitness for the mind, body and spirit", the idea was to create a 3-day conference where transgender people could improve their lives in five main areas: wellness (including health, fitness, and nutrition), spirituality, relationships, finances and personal development. The conference included the first historical bodybuilding competition for transgender people,[2][3] won by Shawn Stinson.[4]
The second annual competition in 2015, known as TransFitCon, was the first to be covered by mainstream media.[5][6] In the third annual competition, the organization added a powerlifting competition with Janae Marie Kroc as the head judge, rebranding the competition as the International Association of Trans Bodybuilders.[6] Since then, competitions have been held every year,[7][8][9][10] with divisions for lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight, and masters competitors.[7] Originally just for transgender men, open-gender divisions were added in 2018, and transgender women's divisions was added in 2019.[6] The transgender male and female categories determine eligibility based on hormone replacement therapy status, while the open category is open to all competitors.[11]
Reception
[edit]For many of the participating athletes, being able to participate as their experienced gender, in clothing that aligned with their gender, was extremely gender affirming.[7][12][13] Others noted the empowering nature of bodybuilding as a sport, and the welcoming community.[7][13]
References
[edit]- ^ Saunders, Patrick (1 October 2015). "Trans bodybuilders to compete at Atlanta's FTM Fitness World Annual Conference". The GA Voice. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- ^ Murray, Kelly. "The world's only transgender bodybuilding competition". CNN. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
- ^ "Inside trans bodybuilding". Al Jazeera America. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
- ^ Hudson, Alex (10 December 2015). "World's first transgender bodybuilding contest takes place". Metro. DMG Media. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
- Daley, Elizabeth (10 December 2015). "Men Strut in Annual Transgender Bodybuilding Contest". Advocate. Here Media. Retrieved 26 October 2017. - ^ World's first transgender bodybuilding competition. December 10, 2015. Archived from the original on March 11, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2025 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c "Timeline". International Association of Trans Bodybuilders & Powerlifters. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ a b c d Press, David Goldman, The Associated (2018-10-08). "Navy petty officer wins transgender bodybuilding contest". Navy Times. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Press, Associated (2018-10-08). "Atlanta hosts world transgender bodybuilding competition". Associated Press. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "2022 IATBP Bodybuilding Competition - Oct 1". 7 Stages Theatre. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "International Association of Trans Bodybuilders & Powerlifters 2023 Competition Full Results | BarBend". 2023-12-07. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "Transgender Powerlifting: A Guide to Inclusive Federations | BarBend". 2019-05-06. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "World transgender bodybuilding competition comes to Atlanta". AP Photos. 2018-10-08. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ a b "Being trans in the bodybuilding world: 'We're just trying to be ourselves'". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-07-31.