Jul 4 2012

Women’s Bodybuilding

Classes and Divisions:

  • Women’s Novice Division
  • Women’s Masters Division
    • (35+ years of age)
  • Women’s Lightweight
    • (under 112 1/4 pounds)
  • Women’s Middleweight
    • (112 1/4 – 122 1/4 pounds)
  • Women’s Heavyweight
    • (over 122 1/4 pounds)
  • Mixed Pairs
  • Women’s Pro (Spring Show Only)
  • (Women’s Novice, Masters, and Mixed Pairs – Not by weight)

PROMOTER HAS THE OPTION TO CHANGE WEIGHT CLASSES. For example, if only one competitor is in one class he may be moved to another class.

Only overall class winners in the open division will qualify for professional status. There must be competitors in each open division weight class to have an overall winner.

“Novice” means a competitor who has NOT placed in the top 3 in an open division in any organization and who has not won 1st place in a novice division in any organization. A competitor cannot compete in both the Novice division and an open weight class. A Novice can crossover and also compete as a Master or in Mixed Pairs.

 

Judging Criteria:

  1. Muscle Size and Shape
      • Are the muscles well developed in relation to the size of the bone structure?
      • Is the shape and line of the muscles pleasing to the eye?
      • Are the muscles each developed from their center outward?
  2. Muscle Definition and Separation
      • Is there a distinct separation between muscles? (“Cuts”)
      • Is distinct detail visible on the muscles? (veins and muscle fibers, absence of visible body fat)
  3. Symmetry and Proportion
      • Do the right and left sides look balanced?
      • Do the shoulders and calves appear proportional?
      • Is there a balance of muscle groups, no obvious “stronger” or “weaker” areas?
  4. Stage Presence
      • Does the competitor display his/her physique to its best advantage?
      • Are the poses executed well, and is there flow from pose to pose?
      • Also considered: grooming, posture, charisma, poise, skin tone

 

Eligibility

Open to NATURAL Amateur athletes who hold a current NGA card. If you are a current member, please bring your membership card. If you are not a current member, you can join online at www.nationalgym.com.

To compete in the Pro division, a competitor must have won the Overall award at an NGA-sanctioned event. He or she should have a current NGA Pro card. (Spring Show ONLY)

 

Pre-Judging and Poses:

  • Both the prejudging and the evening awards show will be held at:
    Location to be determined – Boise, ID
  • Saturday, September 29, 2012
    • Contest Check-In – 7am
    • Pre-Judging – 9am
    • Evening Awards Show – 5pm

At check-in, competitors will receive a competitor’s packet, contest t-shirt and goodie bag from sponsors. Please bring your polygraph receipt and NGA membership card to check-in.

Competitors will come on stage with everyone in their same weight class. The judges will ask the competitors to make a series of quarter turns: front, left side, rear and right side. Competitors should be in semi-flexed, relaxed poses at this time. The judges will then ask the competitors to perform a series of mandatory poses, which each competitor should complete to the best of his ability and to his full advantage (fully flexed). The judges may ask competitors to change order or to move forward or back in order to make comparisons. Competitors should follow the judges’ instructions.

 

Mandatory Poses:

  • Double BicepsContestant should stand on two feet and have upper arms out to the sides parallel to the floor, with elbows bent at approximately 90-degrees with forearms parallel to torso. Legs, lats, chest, abdominals, and arms should be flexed.
  • Chest PoseContestant should stand on foot farthest from the stage with front leg bent to show the calf and leg biceps. The front arm should be bent at approximately 90-degrees with the rear hand gripping at the wrist. The chest should be lifted and the abdominals pulled in tightly. The competitor may pick a side of choice to display to the judges unless told otherwise.
  • Side Triceps PoseContestant should stand in leg position similar to side chest pose, with the frontal arm hanging alongside the body, grasped at the waist by the rear hand from around the lower back. The triceps should be tightened, shoulders, chest and abdominals flexed, and the legs and calves tight. The side of choice may be displayed unless instructed otherwise.
  • Rear Double BicepsThis pose is exactly as the frontal version except that the contestant must bring the leg of choice toward the judges and “spike” the foot to show calf and leg biceps development. Contestants should not lean excessively toward the rear of the stage, nor lean backwards too far toward the judges.
  • Rear Lat SpreadContestant should face stage rear with calf of choice “spiked” toward the judges, and grasp the waist with closed hands and spread elbows to flare latissimus. Hamstrings and glutes should be flexed, with emphasis on showing judges the width of the back (V-shape) as well as detail in the lats, teres major, rhomboids and trapezius, erectors and rear
    deltoids.
  • Overhead Abdominal PoseThe contestant must stand facing the judges with one leg extended slightly forward, and with hands clasped behind the neck. The abdominals must be fully flexed, with air expelled, with the legs and chest also tight. One-arm variations of the abdominal pose are PROHIBITED unless instructed by the Head Judge.
  • Most Muscular PoseThis pose will be required only for the men. The contestant must stand with one leg slightly extended toward the judges, and assume a favorite of the following most muscular poses. Either the “crab”, hands-on-hips or partial crab (with one hand behind back) variations may be used. Side most muscular poses are not permitted unless instructed by the Head Judge.
  • Optional PosesThe judging panel may request additional poses depending on necessity. These may include Side Hamstring Curl, Stand-On-Calves Pose, Serratus Side Pose, etc.

The morning prejudging will be your biggest opportunity to show yourself on stage, and it is at this time that you should encourage your friends and family who are planning on attending the event to come and watch.

Prejudging can be an exhausting task, and a competitor can be on stage for quite a long time. But it is this time when most of the judging actually happens. The evening show is just what it describes: it is an evening “show” for the audience.

 

Evening Show:

For each weight class:

1. All competitors will come onto the stage one at a time to perform their posing routines to music.

  • Routines should be no more than 60 seconds for amateurs and 90 seconds for Pros.
  • Music:
    • Competitors should bring their music on CD to the morning check-in. CD should be labeled with competitor’s first and last name and weight class.
    • Music should be cut to the correct length. If the music is too long, the music technician has the right to stop the CD regardless of whether the competitor’s routine is finished or not.
    • Music must be appropriate for an audience that includes children. PLEASE DO NOT USE MUSIC WITH PROFANITY as you will be disqualified.

2. The top five competitors come out onto the stage together for a posedown and presentation of awards.

  • First five places each weight class will receive NEILS ANDERSON Sculptures and Medallions
  • Pros’ Cash Awards (Spring Show): 1st $900 – 2nd $700 – 3rd $500 – 4th $300 – 5th $175

4. After all of the weight classes and divisions have gone, the winners from each class willl be brought out onto stage for mandatory poses and a posedown. Judges will compare symmetry and muscularity and determine an Overall Winner at that time.

 

Appearance:

  • Solid color, two-piece suits (may be connected) for pre-judging; bare feet
  • No jewelry (except for wedding rings)
  • Competitors should use a tanning product to improve appearance under the bright stage lights
  • Make-up, hair and grooming should be well-done but not distracting

 

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