Understanding the Rules and Criteria of the bodybuilding division you wish to compete in is absolutely essential if you want to compete effectively and present your best package on stage. Here’s why:
1. NOT ALL BODYBUILDING DIVISIONS ARE CREATED EQUAL
Each division has different aesthetic goals.
- Bikini focuses on a toned, athletic, and feminine look with less muscle mass and a softer appearance.
- Figure requires more muscle definition and symmetry than Bikini, especially in the back and shoulders.
- Wellness emphasizes lower-body development with a more muscular and curvier silhouette.
- Men’s Physique is about an athletic, V-tapered upper body and board shorts presentation.
- Classic Physique and Bodybuilding require much more muscle mass, symmetry, and conditioning.
Competing in the wrong division for your body type or training style can work against you—even if you’ve trained hard.
2. CRITERIA DICTATES JUDGING & SCORING
The judging panel use very specific criteria to assess competitors, and naturally these differ for each division. Key aspects that impact criteria include:
- Balance, symmetry and proportion
- Muscle development and definition
- Conditioning (body fat levels)
- Posing routine, stage presence and overall presentation
If you’re too muscular or not conditioned enough for your division, unfortunately your score will suffer – even if you look amazing in a general fitness context.
3. KNOWING THE CRITERIA HELPS YOU PREP WITH PURPOSE
Once you know the expectations, you can adjust your training, nutrition and posing routine accordingly.
- If you need more glute development for Wellness, prioritize lower-body hypertrophy.
- Do you need more back detail for Figure? You need to work on on thickness and symmetry.
- Perhaps you need to slim down for Bikini, if so, your focus should be on maintaining shape with less bulk.
By understanding how you will be assessed on stage, will make the difference between training hard vs. training smart.
4. STAGE PRESENTATION IS AS VITAL AS TRAINING AND NUTRITION
Posing, suit choice, tan application, hair and overall stage presence matter – and they vary for each division.
Bikini poses are softer and more flowy. Figure poses are sharper and more muscular. Men’s Physique requires specific front and back poses. Classic Physique competitors need to hold a vacuum pose, whilst Bodybuilding requires a series of mandatory poses as well as a posing routine.
Practicing the incorrect form of posing or misunderstanding posing transitions can cost you on show day – so make sure you are prepared.
Bodybuilding isn’t just about training and dieting—it’s presenting your best package on show day, and this requires planning and strategy. The more you know, the better you can practice and prepare in order to showcase your strengths and stand out to the judges.
