Five Minutes with… Bahrain's first female bodybuilder

Haifa Almusawi is a one of a kind: a Middle Eastern female bodybuilder. Originally Bahraini, Almusawi moved to the UAE in pursuit of better opportunities for the sport. Though she now works as a personal trainer and weight training specialist in a sports centre in Dubai, she’s hoping to compete and represent Bahrain on an international level.

Yet, while there’s no law that prohibits female Bahrainis from participating in bodybuilding, conservative social restrictions have limited Almusawi. As a result, she has turned to Portugal for a residency and a chance to contend.

Now 32-years-old, Almusawi talks to Arabian Business about her end goal, why body building is a lifestyle, and how it taught her to be a successful individual.

What exactly do you do? I am a personal trainer and weight training prescription specialist holding a diploma from the International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB), International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), and the Emirates Federation of Bodybuilding (EFBB).

When and why did you decide to start bodybuilding? I started weight training when I was 17-years-old. At first, it was for weight loss purposes, but I was so interested in bodybuilding and reading more about it made me fall in love with it. It’s my passion.

Original article by Lubna Hamdan

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Five Minutes with… Bahrain’s first female bodybuilder