From Barbells to the Belle of the Ball: The Cultural Phenomenon of Li Wenwen, and the Fashion of Fitness

Li Wenwen via Shanghai Daily

Chinese weightlifter Li Wenwen won the gold medal in the women's over 87kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, defending her title from the 2020 Olympic games. As of this post, she’s the world record holder in both the clean and jerk and snatch.

In addition to winning the ultimate reward for her sport, Li is winning the hearts and fandom of so many individuals (including myself), and has become an iconic figure in both the weightlifting community and popular culture.

Li makes her sport look really easy and fun. Her form is nearly seamless, which is astonishing considering she’s dynamically lifting massive amounts of weight above her head. To cap it all off, she ends each successful attempt with a big smile and an emphatic bow. I’ve never seen anyone that cheerful and zippy after just having hoisted 400 pounds. For reference, that’s the equivalent weight of a baby grand piano.

Before every lift, Li shouts out. This ritual results in an interactive call and response between Li and the crowd. Readying her grip on the barbell, she yells "I'll do my best!" To which her supporters in the audience reply "Good luck!”

Li’s Olympic performance was absolutely dominant. It took her just four attempts to win her class outright. She finished 10kg ahead of silver medalist Park Hyejeong from South Korea and Emily Campbell of Great Britain.

Knowing that she clinched the gold medal, Li declined her final attempt at the clean and jerk. She chose to forgo the 174kg lift for a bit of a lighter load, her coach and former Olympian, Wu Meijin. Surely, Wu who weighs around 56kg, felt like a feather to Li after having just lifted the physical equivalent of a baby grand and the figurative weight of the world on her shoulders.

Li’s eloquent style and flair extends outside of the weight room and into the world of fashion, where she enjoys modeling Chinese Hanfu, a form of elegant clothing traditionally worn by the Han people since the second millennium BCE. The delicate and fanciful style of Hanfu and the fierce competitive nature of weightlifting adds to Li Wenwen’s allure.

Fashion and fitness have a curiously complementary relationship. You need a sense of style and finesse to be a successful weightlifter. First and foremost, in order to see real gains and maintain a fitness regimen without risking injury, employing solid form during lifts is key. Also, good form looks pretty. I consider it to be a potent choreography of the muscles and joints.

There’s also a very focused aesthetic mindset involved in strength training. Many of us who lift consider getting cut or swole to be a major motivation behind working out. It stands to reason that people who workout are interested in looking good. Sometimes that includes dressing well. A good lewk can be a nice compliment to a muscular physique.

I have a friend who goes to the gym dressed to the nines. His gym shorts and tank tops are color coordinated and full of beguiling patterns. It takes a lot of willpower and commitment to a fitness lifestyle. Displaying a rotation of fanciful outfits while maintaining a consistent workout schedule, is an incredible feat. I’ve seen firsthand how both getting in shape and looking sharp has benefited this individual’s overall well-being.

Workout clothes don’t have to be boring or fancy, but they should definitely be something that won't stifle a full range of movement. As a society, we’ve come a long way with regards to fitness culture thanks to certain fashionable trailblazers.

Women’s gym suit for physical education class, 1893–98. Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of Mrs. Albert Ogden in memory of Sheldon Stewart, 1964

In the 1880s men would typically hit the gym in a dress suit and women would lift weights in floor length gowns (see: “Exercise After Enlightenment”), both of these attires seem less than ideal. However, fashion trends towards the end of the nineteenth century do reflect a push to make physical fitness more equitable. An example is a specific type of gym suit that women would wear during physical education class. It resembles a costume, especially when compared to modern day fitness outfits, but this middy style blouse was crafted to support a full range of motion. Large fabric balls at the end of a waist-high sash, which were utilized as props in calisthenics exercises.

In the 1980s Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons essentially made fashion and fitness synonymous with function and flair. Fonda (see: “I did the Jane Fonda Workout”) applied her knack for being on camera to create a fitness empire, and made leotards and leg warmers all the rage for gym enthusiasts. Simmons’ fiery and uplifting persona that motivated millions of people to get in shape, was well matched by his eclectic attire of Dolphin shorts and tank tops embellished with Swarovski crystals.

There are quite a few clothing brands around now that market towards fitness lifestyles, but my workout outfit is often a pair of briefs (a beautiful thing about exercising at home) and a 1970s style headband.

The most important aspect about partaking in fitness and fashion is feeling comfortable in your own skin. It’s totally worthwhile to take an interest in your appearance, but do it because it suits you and not because you’re seeking assurance or acceptance from others. Being proud of who you are and expressing confidence in yourself will make you feel strong and beautiful in a way that nothing else can.

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