• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The BarBend Logo in white.

BarBend

The Online Home for Strength Sports

  • News
    • CrossFit
    • Strongman
    • Bodybuilding
    • Top Athletes
    • Powerlifting
    • Weightlifting
    • HYROX
    • Competition Results
    • Latest Research
  • Reviews
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Mini Massage Guns
      • Individual Recovery Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Protein
        • Best Vegan Protein Powders
        • Best Whey Isolate Protein Powders
        • Best Mass Gainers
        • Best Protein Bars
      • Best Pre-Workouts
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Women
        • Best Pre-Workouts for Men
        • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workouts
        • Strongest Pre-Workouts
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Electrolyte Supplements
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Meal Replacements
      • Best Nitric Oxide Supplements
      • Best Fat Burners
        • Best Fat Burners for Men
        • Best Fat Burners for Women
        • Best Non-Stim Fat Burners
      • More Supplements
        • Best Supplements for Muscle Growth
        • Best Supplements for CrossFit
        • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
        • Best Supplements for Bodybuilding
        • Best Supplements for Men
        • Best Supplement Stacks
      • Individual Supplements Reviews
    • Equipment
      • Cardio
        • Best Treadmills
        • Best Rowing Machines
        • Best Exercise Bikes
        • Best Ellipticals
        • Best Recumbent Bikes
      • Strength
        • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
        • Best Dumbbells
        • Best Kettlebells
        • Best Barbells
        • Best Squat Racks
        • Best Free Weights
        • Best Weight Benches
        • Best Resistance Bands
        • Best Slam Balls
        • Best Weighted Vests
        • Best Leg Extension Machines
        • Best Cable Machines
        • Best Power Racks
        • Best Pull Up Bars
      • Best Home Gyms
        • Best Smart Home Gyms
        • Best Gym Equipment Under $100
        • Best Home Gym Essentials
        • Best Home Gym Flooring
      • Individual Equipment Reviews
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Apparel
        • Best Weightlifting Shoes
        • Best Cross Training Shoes
        • Best Gym Bags
        • Best Gym Shorts
      • Training
        • Best Weightlifting Belts
        • Best Knee Sleeves
        • Best Lifting Straps
        • Best Grip Strengtheners
        • Best Wrist Wraps
        • Best Lifting Gloves
      • Individual Fitness Product Reviews
    • Certifications
      • Best Sports Nutrition Certifications
      • Best Personal Trainer Certifications
      • Best Nutrition Certifications
      • Individual Certifications Reviews
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
      • Individual Program Reviews
  • Nutrition
    • Diets
      • Carb Cycling
      • Vertical Diet
      • Reverse Dieting
      • Carnivore Diet
      • Ketogenic Diet
      • Intermittent Fasting
      • IIFYM Diet
    • Fat Loss
      • Macros for Fat Loss
      • Calorie Deficits
      • Natural Fat Burners
      • Cut 2 Pounds Weekly
    • Muscle Gain
      • How to Dirty Bulk
      • Go From Cutting to Bulking
      • Eat These Carbs
      • How to Eat for Muscle
    • Supplement Guides
      • Pre-Workout
      • Whey Protein
      • Mass Gainers
      • Greens Powders
      • Creatine
      • BCAAs
    • Nutrition Tips
      • Daily Protein Needs
      • Pre- and Post-Workout Nutrition
      • Foods With Creatine
      • Bulking Tips
  • Training
    • Workouts
      • Back Workouts
      • At-Home Workouts
      • Chest & Back Workouts
      • Full-Body Workout
      • HIIT Workouts
    • Exercise Guides
      • Deadlift
      • Bench Press
      • Back Squat
      • Overhead Press
      • Bent-Over Row
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Crunches
      • Farmer’s Carry
    • Best Exercises
      • Shoulder Exercises
      • Back Exercises
      • Chest Exercises
      • Glute Exercises
      • Ab Exercises
      • Hamstring Exercises
      • Quad Exercises
      • Calf Exercises
      • Biceps Exercises
      • Triceps Exercises
    • Programs
      • Push-Up Program
      • Pull-Up Program
      • German Volume Training
      • 5/3/1 Program
      • Powerbuilding Program
      • The Cube Method
      • 5×5 Program
      • Bodybuilding Programs
      • Build Your Own Program
    • Fat Loss
      • How to Burn Fat
      • Spot Fat Reduction
      • How to Train on a Cut
      • Body Conditioning
      • Workouts
        • Kettlebell Circuits
        • Dumbbell Complexes
        • Farmer’s Carry Workouts
    • Muscle Gain
      • Muscle Hypertrophy Explained
      • How to Build Muscle
      • How to Maintain Muscle
      • What Researchers Say About Muscle Gain
        • Workouts
          • 20-Minute Workouts
          • Kettlebell Circuits
          • CrossFit Workouts for Muscle
          • Bodybuilding Workouts
  • Calculators
    • Protein Intake Calculator
    • Macros Calculator
    • BMR Calculator
    • Squat Calculator
    • Calorie Calculator
  • Community Forum
Home » Strongman News » Strongwoman History Made at The Arnold Classic

Strongwoman History Made at The Arnold Classic

Written by Cara Brennan
Last updated on July 21st, 2023

History was made this weekend at the 2017 Arnold Classic. The first all Pro division of Strongwoman competitors battled it out on Friday and Saturday in Columbus, Ohio at the 3 day expo.

We have talked about how the Arnold is arguably the biggest stage in Strongman in general (Brian Shaw’s win was its own momentous occasion), and this was a highly anticipated event that many hope will result in more high level women’s competitions. Ten women competed for the first Arnold title for the newly formed Pro division.

Winner Liefia Ingalls during the keg run medley

The competitors had all recently achieved pro status from Strongman Corporation in the last year. (Strongman Corporation established their women’s Pro division in 2016, and hosted their first all women’s prize-money awarding competition this past July at Strongest Woman in the World in Jacksonville, Florida, which was won in each weight-class by Leslie Hofheins (LW), Dani Schwalbe (MW), and Britteny Cornelius (HW).)

 

A post shared by Britteny Cornelius (@strongwoman_brittenycornelius) on Mar 3, 2017 at 7:35pm PST


The new pro division of the Arnold is not divided by weight class, so it saw lightweights going up against heavyweights in an impressive throwdown that featured the following competitors:

Brittney Cornelius

Julie Rader

Brooke Sousa

Kaitlin Burgess

Kristin Johnson

Kimberly Lawrance

Liefia Ingalls

Leslie Hofheins

Jessica Kite

Jamie Popp Christenson

First place went to Liefia Ingalls, 2 x California’s Strongest Woman and 4th Place Middleweight Arnold Amateur Champion 2015. She was tied for 2nd place going into Day 2.

She held her own getting second on the tire deadlift with 6 reps at 500 lbs (Cornelius won this event with a staggering 10 reps), and Ingalls won the Big Top Circus Dumbbell with 8 reps at 125 lbs, securing her win.

Winner Liefia Ingalls with Arnold Schwarzenegger

Kaitlin Burgess and Julie Rader took 2nd and 3rd place, respectively. In the past, Burgess has competed as both a middleweight and a heavyweight, and Rader as a heavyweight. Burgess won the stone series with a blistering 27 second run and Rader won the “Hammer of Strength” (literally a giant hammer the athletes had to shoulder and push up notches to attempt to raise the implement up).

2nd place winner Burgess’s winning Stone of Steel series:

 

A post shared by Kaitlin 👊🏻💪🏼 (@heartofagypsygirl) on Mar 4, 2017 at 4:08pm PST


4th Place Winner Britteny Cornelius’ deadlift:

 

A post shared by Britteny Cornelius (@strongwoman_brittenycornelius) on Mar 4, 2017 at 3:58pm PST

The competition also featured a keg run medley for fastest time. The competition was held on Rogue’s main stage — the athletes competed on a backdrop of a sea of cheering fans, friends, and supporters. The future of Pro Strongwoman seems bright.

About Cara Brennan

Cara started lifting weights in 2013 and competing in strongwoman in 2015. Battles with depression and anxiety set her on a path of self-exploration through physical challenge and behavioral development. She worked as a personal trainer from 2014 to 2020, and helping people get stronger stoked her passion to explore what drives and ensures people’s success and happiness.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Latest Reviews

EveryPlate Review

EveryPlate Review (2025): A Tasty, Budget-Friendly Meal Kit, Tested By Our Experts

ARMRA Colostrum Review

ARMRA Colostrum Review (2025): A Certified Nutrition Coach’s Critique of this Trending Supplement

Sun Home Luminar Review

Sun Home Luminar Review (2025): Our Experts Sweat It Out With This High-Quality Outdoor Sauna

Cover image for CookUnity review of a filled reusable box of 6 CookUnity meals

CookUnity Review (2025): An Expert-Tested and Flexible Prepared Meal Service

Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens Review

Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens Review (2025): Our Experts Examine This Nutrient-Filled Profile

BarBend

BarBend is an independent website. The views expressed on this site may come from individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the view of BarBend or any other organization. BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting.

  • About Us
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Sections

  • CrossFit
  • Strongman
  • Bodybuilding
  • Powerlifting
  • Weightlifting
  • Reviews
  • Nutrition
  • Training

More

  • BarBend Newsletter
  • BarBend Podcast
  • The Ripped Report
  • 1RM Calculator
  • BMR Calculator
  • Macros Calculator
  • Protein Calculator
  • Squat Calculator

Policies

  • Accessibility
  • Advice Disclaimer
  • Cookies Policy
  • Disclaimers
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Copyright © 2025 · BarBend Inc · Sitemap