LETTER FROM
AN IRON MAN READER

From: Gerri Bushkovski
Date: Thu, 27 Jul 2000 23:40:10 -0400 (EDT)
To: ironleader@aol.com
Subject: Feminine Muscle

Dear Ironman: A few years back I returned the pictures from your Swimsuit spectacular, stating that they did nothing for me. I requested at that time that you do a pictorial on the "softer side of women's body-building," something that would help motivate *me*, a female, to keep going to the gym and pursuing my goal of competing. And something I could show those around me who questioned my choice. What turned up in the subsequent pages of Ironman wasn't exactly what I had been looking for -- they certainly weren't pictures I wanted to show my mother. So, I must admit that it was with some apprehension that I opened the September issue of your magazine. I figured that I would find the typical over-the-top photos in your Sexy Feminine Muscle layout that I have seen in such past issues as the Swimsuit Spectacular. However, much to my surprise and delight, I found a wonderful pictorial essay on the mystique and beauty of the muscular feminine physique! It was this style of photography, which celebrates the strong female physique, not sexualizes it, that I alluded to in my letter two years ago. Thanks to Bill Dobbins for the fantastic images. And thanks to Ironman Magazine for finally getting it right! I greatly appreciate this true tribute to sexy muscle. (I think I could show this one to mom.) Now, let me at those dumbbells!

Sincerely, Gerri Bushkovski Chicago, IL

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