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The new athletic aesthetic: dancers who are ripped and ready to releve.

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The Pilobolus dancers hurl themselves with great force at the floor in Megawatt. Even from the back of the theater you can see their well-defined limbs. The same goes for the biceps of the women of Richmond Ballet as they perform John Butler's Carmina Burana. And you can't ignore the muscularity of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago's women; their cut arms and defined abs stand out whether they're performing the intensely idiosyncratic choreography of Ohad Naharin or Susan Marshall's dream-like flying fantasies.

Nowadays, dancers across the genres are buff. Dancing may have once been all about the legs, but lately the arms have it. Though some might not be ready to acknowledge it, the strong look is taking the limelight. (Think Diana, goddess of the hunt, or Joan of Arc.) Even the delicate, willowy arms of the Kirov women are changing. Our February cover beauty, Diana Vishneva hits the pool on a daily basis, swimming laps to keep her upper body--especially those arms--sculpted.

The chisled Danae Carter a member of Richmond Ballet, says, "I see a lot more muscle tone and athleticism." She doesn't think she gets more roles because she's muscular, though. And she says her body is toned because she eats well, exercises regularly, practices Pilates, and lifts weights occasionally. "I get recognition from the audience more than anything else....

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