What do people think about bikinis?

Confidence: It’s the difference between the girl with the perfect body in a one-piece bathing suit, pulling at it and thinking she’s not thin enough or doesn’t have big enough boobs – and the girl who people call a bit overweight, but meanwhile, she’s wearing a bikini and guys are saying, “God, she’s sexy.” It all has to do with how you feel about yourself – it’s about projecting the attitude, I’m OK with who I am.

The sight of the first woman in the minimal two-piece was as explosive as the detonation of the atomic bomb by the U.S. at Bikini Island in the Marshall Isles, hence the naming of the bikini.

It depends mainly on what you’re doing and what your level of comfort is. One-pieces are great if you’re not very comfortable having a bikini bottom on, and also really great if you are planning on doing some serious, serious swimming. Pretty much all women who swim competitively swim in a one-piece.

One major drawback to a one-piece is your torso. If you have an odd torso length (well, odd compared to the one-piece), the one-piece would not feel very comfortable on as it would either be too long or too short.

Bikinis are great if you’re comfortable in your body. They are also great if you are looking to get a good, most fully covered tan. If you aren’t very comfortable in your body, there are higher waisted bottoms that allow you to cover higher. There are also tankini tops, basically a tank top made of bikini material, that covers up a lot. These aren’t good for serious swimming, but for laying out at the pool or just casually hanging in the pool, they are great. You also have options like halter bikini tops that cover more than a typical top, but are more suited for actual water action.

Individual competitors should compete in whichever divisions they want to.

For my personal preference, I find bikini deeply dull (physiques aren’t trained enough for my liking). And whenever you actually attend shows, it is a huge class so takes forever. Completely understand that it’s the most marketable division though, for both show organisers and supplement companies. It’s just a bit too close to a T&A show for my liking.

Women’s physique I think was a really great innovation, and presented an outlet for still very trained but less extreme physiques than seen in women’s bodybuilding. After fitness (I like the routines), it’s probably my favourite women’s division.

Women’s bodybuilding is still great. The physiques are very extreme nowadays, but I can accept that. Sports change. I personally preferred the era from say Bev Francis to the end of Lenda Murray’s reign, but the physiques are quite a bit bigger now. I don’t think it has mass appeal now, but to be fair it has not had mass appeal for decades.

Lots of these things are just decided by money though. Bikini brings in a lot of money, due to the volume of competitors, each paying fees and so on. Even if it’s not my cup of tea, if it makes shows and federations more financially viable then that is a good thing.