Japan's 'muscle girls' break with traditional beauty ideals
At the Muscle Girls Bar in Tokyo, pumped-up performers turn Japan's beauty standards upside-down with stage shows, protein drinks and powerful performances.
Bar service with a twist
Loud music and flashing neon lights are nothing special in Tokyo. Muscular women, on the other hand, are. At the Muscle Girls fitness bar, bar staff stand behind a U-shaped counter in skimpy sports outfits, squeezing grapefruits by hand in front of the guests and flexing their muscles — much to the delight of cheering patrons.
Breaking with beauty ideals
With its contrast to traditional Japanese ideals of beauty, the bar attracts an average of around 100 guests per day. "Most people in Japan find women with small breasts, a slender back and skinny legs as attractive," said Hitomi Harigae, the manager of the bar, which employs only women. "The customers who come here are different."
Powerful show
For 6,000 yen (equivalent to $40/€33), guests receive a protein shake and "all you can drink" for 80 minutes, while muscular female employees perform a stage show. Other women in leopard-print bikinis smile as they do pullups and pole dancing routines. Patrons can also pay for extras, such as being slapped hard across the face or hoisted up by the thighs.
Bodybuilding takes off
Female bodybuilding has gained popularity in Japan in recent years, with competitions being held in many cities. However, outside of these circles, old conventions still prevail, said Harigae. "When I talk to friends from my school days, I still very much sense that they are wedded to those fixed ideas — they want to be thin," she told Reuters.
Changing views
However, these views, which are partly derived from gender stereotypes, are changing — albeit slowly. A 2023 survey by the think tank Dentsu Soken showed that 38.2% of respondents agreed with the statement "Men should be manly and women should be womanly" — down from 43.7% in 2021.
Defying the norm
Among industrialized countries, Japan has the highest proportion of underweight adult women — almost five times as many as in the US or Germany. Experts warn that equating thinness with beauty can lead to malnutrition and health problems. The approximately 30 women in the Muscle Girls group defy this norm and proudly show off their toned bodies.