Staying in shape means something different for everyone. For Russian bodybuilder Nataliya Kuznetsova, it means extreme strength and dedication. The 33-year-old holds world titles in arm lifting, bench press, and deadlift, and is widely known as the World’s Most Muscular Woman.
Born in 1991 in Chita, Siberia, Nataliya began powerlifting at age 14 and quickly stood out. At 17, she could bench press 220lbs—long before she understood nutrition or supplements. Today, she weighs over 220lbs off-season and has set multiple records, including a 374lb bench press and 530lb deadlift.
Despite early financial struggles and limited support, she gained fame through social media and now has over a million Instagram followers. She’s sponsored by nutrition brands and regularly shares gym tips and glimpses of her life.
Nataliya is more than a bodybuilder—she holds a degree from the Moscow State Academy of Physical Culture and once appeared in a Bolshoi Theatre production. She lives in Moscow with her husband, fellow bodybuilder Vladislav Kuznetsov, whom she met online in 2009.
Though she’s faced criticism for defying beauty norms, Nataliya embraces her uniqueness. “My best advisor is a mirror,” she says. After a brief retirement in 2017, she returned to the sport and now also coaches others, helping them achieve their goals.