Muscle Girls: Redefining Beauty in Japan

In a lively Tokyo bar, a group of strong, muscular women are breaking the mold of traditional Japanese beauty standards. These women, known as "Muscle Girls, " are challenging the norm that women should be thin and delicate. They are showing that strength and muscle can also be beautiful. The bar, called Muscle Girls, is a fitness-themed venue where women performers showcase their toned bodies. They crush grapefruits with their bare hands, do pull-ups, and even hoist customers up by their thighs. The customers, mostly foreign tourists, love the show and cheer them on. The idea behind the bar is to challenge the conventional ideals of feminine beauty in Japan. Most people in Japan consider small breasts, a slender back, and skinny legs as attractive. But the customers who come to Muscle Girls are different. They appreciate the strength and beauty of these muscular women. The bar has become quite popular, drawing about 100 customers each day. It has also gone viral on social media, reaching a wider audience. The women who work at the bar are passionate about bodybuilding and CrossFit. Some of them have six-pack muscles that would make many men envious. For these women, the bar is more than just a job. It's a place where they can express themselves and feel confident in their bodies. They exchange diet and training tips with each other, fostering a sense of sisterhood. Even on their days off, they spend time together, going to all-you-can-eat buffets and nail salons. However, outside of the bar and the bodybuilding community, the old conventions of beauty still rule. Many people in Japan still believe that women should be thin and delicate. But the women at Muscle Girls are hoping to change that. They want more people to appreciate the beauty of muscle.