OFFICIAL NPC DIVISION RULES
If you are interested in competing please watch this video first.
NPC AND IFBB PRO LEAGUE CRITERIA FOR JUDGING WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE COMPETITORS
- Women’s Physique
- Women’s Physique athletes should display-
- More muscular density than seen in figure
- Clear muscle separation – small amount of striations is acceptable
- Emphasis is on muscular development with full muscle bellies
- Muscular development should be balanced between upper and lower body
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- Women’s Physique athletes should NOT display –
- An overly striated physique
- Graininess associated with female bodybuilding
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WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE
WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE JUDGING CRITERIA
- Symmetry, shape, proportion, muscle tone, poise and beauty flow
- Physique assessment and comparison will take place during prejudging
Women’s Physique Division has been created to give a platform for women who enjoy weight training, competing, contest preparation. Competitors should display a toned, athletic physique showcasing femininity, muscle tone, beauty/flow of physique.
The following are examples of common terms used in the bodybuilding industry. These words can be helpful to assess what should not be descriptive to the physiques being judged in women’s physique:
Ripped, shredded, peeled, striated, dry, diced, hard, vascular, grainy, massive, thick, dense, etc.
While all types of physiques will be considered when it comes to height, weight, structure, etc. Excessive muscularity should be scored down accordingly.
Women’s physique competitors should have the overall aesthetics and look that is found in figure with a little more overall muscularity.
JUDGING FORMAT
Prejudging
- Individual routine with 10 second warning up to one minute in time.
- Quarter turns
- Mandatory posing comparisons/callouts
Finals Individual Posing Routine
If you need help or are unsure of how to execute the above instructions then please take a look at the following videos.
SUITS
Suits worn by women’s physique competitors for prejudging must be a two piece. Suits do not have to be solid in color. The bottom of the suit must be v-shaped. No thongs are permitted. Competitors can compete in an off-the-rack suit. All suits must be in good taste.
Take a look at our recent NPC contest galleries for examples of approved swimsuits and styles.
MANDATORY POSES
- Front double biceps/open hands (no flat footed full front pose – some sort of front twisting pose)
- Back double biceps/open hands
- Side triceps with leg extended
- Side chest with arms extended
- Front ab/thigh
- Finals routine will be maximum 90 seconds in length, performed to music of athletes choice adhering to rules set forth by the NPC. Music containing profanity or explicit language should not be used and may result in routine being cut short.
- No props will be used.
- No heels may be worn at any time during the competition/judging of women’s physique.
- No Gymnastics Moves are Allowed.
Mandatory Round Poses
HEIGHT CLASSES
Promoters can choose to have one height class, two height classes, three height classes or four height classes.
2 CLASSES
- Up to & including 5’6”
- Over 5’6”
3 CLASSES
- Up to & including 5’4”
- Over 5’4” up to including 5’6”
- Over 5’6”
4 CLASSES
- Up to & including 5’2”
- Over 5’2” up to including 5’4”
- Over 5’4” up to including 5’6”
- Over 5’6”
NATIONAL CONTEST QUALIFICATIONS
Beginning January 1, 2018 athletes must place top 2 in an open class at a National Qualifier to be qualified for any National show. All athletes that qualified in 2017 for a National contest are eligible to compete in in a National Contest in 2018. Also, athletes that place 3rd, 4th or 5th place at the USA or Nationals are also qualified for one year.
NATIONAL LEVEL CONTESTS
NPC Junior USA Championships
NPC Junior National Championships
NPC Masters Nationals Championships
NPC USA Championships
NPC Universe Championships
IFBB North American Championships
NPC National Championships
ENTRY INFORMATION
The following must be provided with your entry:
- NPC Women’s Physique contest you entered
- Date of your contest
- Contest promoter
- Your height class and final placing
NPC CONTEST SCHEDULE
The NPC has Women’s Physique contests all over the United States. Take a look at the schedule below for a NPC contest in your area.
ELIGIBILITY FOR IFBB PRO LEAGUE
NATIONAL PHYSIQUE COMMITTEE OF THE USA, INC.
POST OFFICE BOX 799
CARNEGIE PA 15106
(412) 276-5027 FAX: 412-281-0470 Email: npcfirst@registration.com
January 10, 2019
I am very happy to announce that the 2019 NPC Contest Season will be the biggest and best ever. If you are a United States Citizen you have the ability to qualify to compete for IFBB Professional League status in the following (10) events.
- 2019 NPC Arnold Amateur (Columbus, Ohio)
- 2019 NPC Junior USA Championships (Charleston, South Carolina)
- 2019 NPC Junior National Championships (Chicago, Illinois)
- 2019 NPC Universe Championships & NPC National Fitness Championships (Teaneck, New Jersey)
- 2019 NPC Masters National Championships (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
- 2019 NPC USA Championships (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- 2019 NPC North American Championships (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
- 2019 NPC Olympia Amateur (Las Vegas, Nevada)
- 2019 NPC National Championships (Miami, Florida)
- 2019 NPC Masters USA Championships (Los Angeles, California)
(If you achieve a Pro Card at one of these events then you are eligible to compete under the rules and regulations of the IFBB Professional League.)
The 2019 IFBB Professional League has worked diligently to increase the number of contests and prize money.
This year the prize money, including the Mr. Olympia, will be a record $4 million dollars plus! IFBB Professional League Contest Schedule.
International competitors and those that possess a Green Card, but not United States Citizenship, who would like to qualify for the IFBB Professional can compete in the following (3) NPC sanctioned events.
- 2019 NPC Arnold Amateur (Columbus, Ohio)
- 2019 NPC North American Championships (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
- 2019 NPC Olympia Amateur (Las Vegas, Nevada)
International competitors also have the opportunity to compete and earn a pro card currently in over 60 IFBB Professional League Qualifier Events around the world.
IFBB Professional League Qualifier Contest Schedule
I look forward to seeing you all compete this year and Good Luck in achieving your IFBB Professional League Status.