Women have made strides in male-dominated sports but still face obstacles from gender biases and lack of diversity. Particularly in strength sports, the underrepresentation of women and lack of research on their lived experiences as athletes and coaches is notable. This study investigated the experiences of 21 women athletes and four coaches aged 18–44 in the strength sports of Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting, CrossFit, and strongman. Results showed that women athletes struggled with body image, societal expectations, gender bias and diversity, and male interactions, even as they challenged gender norms and established their presence in these male-dominated sports. Athletes’ experiences aligned with past research, but also included powerful expression of what it means to be a strong woman despite societal pressure. Women coaches also report career progression and equal employment challenges and stressed the importance of women’s representation and inclusion at all levels of these sports. Findings also indicated that while women’s performance demonstrates shifting norms for strength in these sports, more work is needed to overcome continued gender bias and to achieve equal employment opportunities for coaches. National sport governing bodies should review policy to support inclusion at all levels, and provide resources, mentorship, and training opportunities to improve accessibility to women coaches and athletes at all levels.

女性在男性主导的体育运动中取得了长足进步，但仍然面临性别偏见和缺乏多样性的障碍。特别是在力量运动领域，女性代表性不足以及缺乏对她们作为运动员和教练的生活经历的研究是值得注意的。本研究调查了 21 名 18 岁至 44 岁的女运动员和 4 名教练在奥林匹克举重、举重、综合健身和大力士等力量运动中的经历。结果显示，女运动员在身体形象、社会期望、性别偏见和多样性以及男性互动等问题上苦苦挣扎，尽管她们挑战了性别规范并在这些男性主导的运动中确立了自己的地位。运动员的经历与过去的研究一致，但也有力地表达了尽管面临社会压力，成为一名坚强的女性意味着什么。女教练还报告了职业发展和平等就业挑战，并强调了女性在这些运动各个级别的代表性和包容性的重要性。调查结果还表明，虽然女性的表现表明这些运动中力量标准的变化，但仍需要做更多的工作来克服持续的性别偏见并实现教练的平等就业机会。国家体育管理机构应审查支持各级包容性的政策，并提供资源、指导和培训机会，以提高各级女教练和运动员的接触机会。