Women flexing their muscles are a common sight on social media in the twenty-first century.
But in the 1800s, a woman with biceps was rare and considered highly inappropriate and unladylike.
These historic images showcase the strongwomen of the nineteenth century who refused to abide by convention and paved the way for female fitness today.
Katie Sandwina was one of the strongest women in the world. She is pictured here holding up three men in 1905
Charmion, born Laverie Cooper, was an American strongwoman from Sacramento who appalled, yet enthralled, Victorian society. She raises her bicep and looks away from the camera in 1897
Vulcana, real name Miriam Kate William, was challenged to show her strength but was caught using weights lighter than her husband William 'Atlas' Roberts had claimed. Vulcana's reputation suffered too, but her authenticated accomplishments were still seen as remarkable for a woman at the time
Muscular females in the Victorian era included Welsh strongwoman Miriam ‘Vulcana’ Williams.
When she was fifteen years old, Vulcana met her future husband, bodybuilder William 'Atlas' Roberts, in a boxing saloon.
Although Atlas was already married with children, the pair fell in love and Vulcana’s passion for weightlifting began.
Billed as brother and sister so as not to cause controversy, Vulcana and Atlas toured the world together and performed feats of strength for huge audiences.
Vulcana’s achievements were considered remarkable for a woman.
She could lift a grown man from the ground with one arm and could lift 25kg in each hand above her head.
In 1901, Vulcana freed a wagon stuck in Maiden Lane, Covent Garden, by lifting it in front of astonished witnesses.
Vulcana and Atlas were billed as brother and sister but were actually husband and wife. They are seen here in 1905
Pictured in 1906, Vulcana, from Abergavenny could lift a grown man off the ground with just one arm
Vulcana, a Welsh strongwoman toured music halls in Britain, Europe, and Australia with her husband. Husband Atlas was said to exaggerate his and Vulcana's strength and most of his published boasts have been dismissed
The series of photographs also includes Katie Sandwina - who was one of the strongest women in the world.
Growing up, Sandwina's father would offer prize money to any man who could defeat her at wrestling and she would go on tour with P.T Barnum’s travelling circus as a powerlifter.
Dubbed Lady Hercules, she performed many feats such as resisting the pull of four horses and bending steel bars and chains.
Known as the Lady Hercules, Katie Sandwina is pictured breaking a chain over her thigh in 1905 (left). And (right) in the same year she shows off her
