Meet Nataliya Kuznetsova: The Female Bodybuilder Redefining Strength Standards
Staying in shape is important for feeling good in body and mind. For most people, it means walking or doing light exercise. But for 33-year-old bodybuilder Nataliya Kuznetsova, staying fit means something much bigger. The Russian professional bodybuilder holds world titles in arm lifting, bench press, and deadlift. One look at her proves why.
Everyone has the right to look how they want. No one should be teased for their appearance. People should dress and shape themselves as they like. At Newsner, we’ve reported on amazing people who live their own way, ignoring society’s beauty standards. These individuals are inspiring, and they show that being different makes the world colorful and exciting.
Nataliya Kuznetsova is one such person. The Russian bodybuilder holds world records in lifting and has dedicated her life to building her powerful body. She started powerlifting at 14 and wanted to be a bodybuilder. Back then, she weighed just 80 pounds. Today, her weight is between 246 and 275 pounds.
There isn’t much information about Nataliya’s early life, but we know she was born on July 1, 1991, in Chita, Siberia, Russia. As a child, she loved sports and was very active. At 14, she began bodybuilding, training almost every day. Her coach, Alexei Ivanov, gave her a strict training plan and diet. Her goal wasn’t just to build muscles—it was to become stronger.
People quickly noticed Nataliya’s growing strength and muscles. She started entering competitions, and by 17, she could bench-press 220 pounds while weighing just 150. At that time, she didn’t know much about things like protein shakes but still achieved great results. Over the years, she has won many championships and set records.
In 2014, she won the Cup of Eurasia in Russia, and in 2015, she became the Champion of the Cup Eastern Europe. Known as the “World’s Most Muscular Woman,” Nataliya holds multiple lifting records, including a bench press of over 374 pounds and a deadlift of 530 pounds.
Nataliya doesn’t just lift weights. In 2013, she graduated from the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture. She also appeared in a production at the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. Now, she lives in Moscow with her husband, Vladislav Kuznetsov, who is also a bodybuilder. They met online in 2009 and married in 2015. Nataliya often shares posts about how supportive her husband is. The couple doesn’t have children yet, but Nataliya hopes to have one in the future.
In the early years of her career, Nataliya struggled financially. Sponsors were hard to find, and she often paid for training and competitions herself. However, her fame on social media helped her gain attention and sponsorships. She now works with brands like Oxytropin and RPS Nutrition.
Nataliya’s photos have gone viral online. Many recognize her in public and ask for photos with her. Some people have made rude comments about her appearance, but Nataliya doesn’t let it bother her. She believes beauty standards have changed and trusts her own judgment.
Nataliya values her fans’ support and gets many compliments online. She has over one million Instagram followers, where she shares gym tips and moments from her life. She once considered using growth hormones but decided against it. However, she has used other performance enhancers that are banned by some sports organizations.
In 2017, Nataliya announced her retirement from powerlifting. But a year and a half later, she returned to compete in Moscow. She also started a coaching career, helping others reach their fitness goals.
