A muscular bodybuilding mum was denied access to the women's changing room after being mistaken for a man posing as a woman.

Astonished Kely Moraes, 45, who has a 25-year-old daughter and a seven-year-old grandson, was confronted as she entered the shower room by a woman and her partner.

Footage of the angry exchange at the gym shows the personal trainer being screamed at by the furious woman on May 26.

As her partner tries to hold her back, she shouts: 'This isn't a bathroom for men!'

He then joins in blocking Kely's entry, telling her to use another mixed changing room at the gym in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

As the clip ends, a member of the gym staff intervenes, and the couple step back.

Later, Kely, who is 5ft 9in (1.75 metres) tall and has a heavily sculpted, muscled body, told of her humiliation at the confrontation.

She said: 'I felt humiliated. It's very painful to be judged solely by your appearance without people even knowing or respecting you.

'I am a woman, born a woman, and yet they prevented me from exercising a basic right.

'People look, judge, and make mean comments.

'It's as if women can't occupy certain spaces, especially if they're black and a bodybuilder.'

'Being in the gym has always been my place. I've never been through such an embarrassing situation as this.'

'At the time, I remained calm because I was thinking about my profession.

'But I still had the fear that this could harm my career since I was in an exclusive, elite gym.

'I will not forget that. It's a pain that stays with me. But they won't shut me up. I know who I am.'

Police are investigating the confrontation after Kely complained of illegal constraint, physical aggression, and threats.

Kely is known online as Monster Trainer and used her website to pass on tips for well-being, self-esteem and mental health.

She later spoke up for transgender people.

Kely said: 'Trans women are beautiful, and each has her own story.'