In brief: The development of optimal strength potential in American female athletes has been neglected. This study documents the response of 13 men and 13 women of college age to an intensive power lifting program designed to duplicate a program followed by competitive male lifters. The results identified two significant training concepts: (1) the full squat must be considered the cornerstone exercise, because it quickly stimulates overall strength increases in both men and women, and (2) the women had the same physiological ability as men to tolerate and adapt to the demanding physical stress of power lifting.