New Women's Physique Division - NPC/IFBB

[dvsness]

This is confirmed, but 'unofficial':

Women's Physique Division will be more muscular than Figure without the size and conditioning in Bodybuilding.

Women’s Physique will begin in 2011, but will only be held with NPC national competitions. Tentatively starting with NPC Jr. Nationals then Team Universe, USA & Nationals. No local, state or regional competitions will have them in 2011. Also with an IFBB Professional League division in 2012. Details & rules still being worked out. But the competitors will be barefoot, no heels.

[viridian]

Glad to see this posted here.... im curious to see how this goes after Bikini being such a huge success, atleast in popularity.

[hieronymous]

OMG no heels, that's awesome! Are there posing routines as well?

[viridian]

From what I've been reading, there is posing and quarter turns, but its supposed to be alot more feminine than FBB though Im not positive what that means...

is there an official link somewhere? I've only been reading mainly discussion on another forum...

[dvsness]

OMG no heels, that's awesome! Are there posing routines as well?

Yes.


From what I've been reading, there is posing and quarter turns, but its supposed to be alot more feminine than FBB though Im not positive what that means...

is there an official link somewhere? I've only been reading mainly discussion on another forum...

'More feminine' - I'm thinking the posing will be open handed like NABBA Figure and the big and grainy look will not be rewarded.

There won't be an official link until all the details are in place, but the information I have has come from Bob Chick, JM Manion and Isaac Hinds.

[kathyfit]

I'm just thinking what started out as a "man's" sport sure has been overtaken by females! Poor dudes only have bodybuilding to choose from in most organizations. The women have bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini and now physique to choose from! Crazy! .....and I already have a hard time deciding ;)

[hieronymous]

I've been doing some 'vestigatin and it seems that they are trying to phase out FBB and introduce the 'new' division take FBB down to the size of BB seen in the 80s. Cory Everson, Carla Dunlap, Sharon Bruneau etc. I think it is a great move.

[dvsness]

I'm just thinking what started out as a "man's" sport sure has been overtaken by females! Poor dudes only have bodybuilding to choose from in most organizations. The women have bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini and now physique to choose from! Crazy! .....and I already have a hard time deciding ;)

Well, there will also be a Men's Physique division added - it is to be judged in board shorts and will begin in 2011, too. But I do think there are too many categories for women.


I've been doing some 'vestigatin and it seems that they are trying to phase out FBB and introduce the 'new' division take FBB down to the size of BB seen in the 80s. Cory Everson, Carla Dunlap, Sharon Bruneau etc. I think it is a great move.

That does seem to be the case, yes. They want a classic look.

[kimm4]

So you will basically go in looking like a trumped up figure chick, but not a FBB...
Just another kick in the teeth for the FBB's that have worked so hard...

[dvsness]

So you will basically go in looking like a trumped up figure chick, but not a FBB...
Just another kick in the teeth for the FBB's that have worked so hard...

It seems to be the NPC/IFBB's way to try to unring a bell, if you would. They want to get away from the androgenized look without drug testing.

There are some current Pro FBB that will likely fit the new standard, like Beni Lopez, Diana Stanback and Lori Steele. They turned Pro as LW or MW and don't get a second look on the Pro stage due to size.

[kimm4]

It seems to be the NPC/IFBB's way to try to unring a bell, if you would. They want to get away from the androgenized look without drug testing.

There are some current Pro FBB that will likely fit the new standard, like Beni Lopez, Diana Stanback and Lori Steele. They turned Pro as LW or MW and don't get a second look on the Pro stage due to size.

But the girls you mention have to come in softer. There look is too hard to fit the new standard...from what I understand. I don't know...it's like the female bb's no longer have a choice to be free on how they want to look.

The lines in judging are blurred enough...I can't imagine where this is going to go.

This is where you will be competing correct? Do you feel it will work to your benefit?

[kimm4]

Bob Chick was on RX Muscle answering questions about the new division.

This gives the general idea of what they're looking for:

Basically, were looking for slightly bigger than a "too big" figure competitor, and slightly smaller than a Lt Weight BB...smaller being relative to height, of course. A taller, bigger girl could certainly compete in this division....it's the LEVEL of muscularity that will be held in check, as well as the level of conditioning...

Meaning...were not looking for big , muscular and smooth....and not looking for small and ripped either...

Athletic looking, accentuating symmetry, proportion, shape, tone, posing, presentation, skin tone, beauty, poise....

He also stresses this:

Getting off the sauce would be advised for any and all girls looking to compete in the WPD, as the look that will be rewarded will not be one that can be enhanced with AAS...all the attributes associated with supps, will only insure a last place callout...extreme conditioning will not be rewarded, nor will excessive muscularity, grainyness, hardness, ripped, peeled, shredded, or any of the other used too often expressions we have...

Call me crazy but it sounds like figure, hitting poses without the heels...

[kathyfit]

Call me crazy but it sounds like figure, hitting poses without the heels...

I agree....and it sounds like shows will be loooonnngggeeeerrrrrrr.

[kimm4]

It's too bad because you have women who have worked for years to get at the top of their game. Not just AAS users, but all women who have spent years of hardcore training and following strict diet regimens that some people wouldn't be able to handle for a day. Nothing like a "happy fuk off to you!"

Even if the girls were to get off of the AAS, you've still got years of quality muscle due to muscle maturity. The muscle just doesn't disappear overnight...

I don't know, I'm thinking lot's of early retirements. Be ready for the announcements...it's too bad.

[dvsness]

But the girls you mention have to come in softer. There look is too hard to fit the new standard...from what I understand. I don't know...it's like the female bb's no longer have a choice to be free on how they want to look.

The lines in judging are blurred enough...I can't imagine where this is going to go.

This is where you will be competing correct? Do you feel it will work to your benefit?

It's hard to know the real standard until we see it judged at JrNats.

There still will be FBB for the time being, and the numbers need to be up in order for the promoters to keep it. There have been far too many shows where Fitness and FBB numbers are terrible.

I do NOT want to see FBB dissolve. I intended to compete as a LW, and was fine and completely willing to accept that I would not be successful at the National level because I was not willing to do what it takes. However, if they are going to create a division where that's not really an issue, I'd be daft not to try it.

I think this does make too many divisions. It would have been easier to just judge FBB to guide it to what they want to see. Or introduce this and drop Figure. While Figure and Bikini are supposed to look different, they would look very similar if they posed the same way. Or drop Bikini, lol. I'm not a fan of the relaxed muscle and the come hither bent over posing.

I contacted Diana Stanback about the new division. She turned Pro as a MW, but has competed in both FBB and Figure. She was contemplating going back to Figure since she just can't compete with these big girls as a Pro. Beni Lopez has some of the most amazing proportions and shape and can't crack the top spots. Will they come in softer? Most likely.

Some of that coming in softer is also about not using RX diuretics (not insinuating that those women did), not necessarily bf levels. Who knows what will happen? I guess only time will tell.

[dvsness]

It's too bad because you have women who have worked for years to get at the top of their game. Not just AAS users, but all women who have spent years of hardcore training and following strict diet regimens that some people wouldn't be able to handle for a day. Nothing like a "happy fuk off to you!"

Even if the girls were to get off of the AAS, you've still got years of quality muscle due to muscle maturity. The muscle just doesn't disappear overnight...

I don't know, I'm thinking lot's of early retirements. Be ready for the announcements...it's too bad.

Lisa Aukland retired. Betty Pariso retired from FBB and said that she may mot be done with competing. Since she was involved with creating this, I would not be surprised if she competes in WPD.

[Boba_Bulk]

Hey ladies sorry to just drop in your section, I never post in here because I respect the fact that it is a section for women, and don't wanna be "that guy" that comes in here to troll the ladies. This will be my first post here (and maybe last if you ladies totally disagree and kick me out). :)


This is confirmed, but 'unofficial':

Women's Physique Division will be more muscular than Figure without the size and conditioning in Bodybuilding.

Women’s Physique will begin in 2011, but will only be held with NPC national competitions. Tentatively starting with NPC Jr. Nationals then Team Universe, USA & Nationals. No local, state or regional competitions will have them in 2011. Also with an IFBB Professional League division in 2012. Details & rules still being worked out. But the competitors will be barefoot, no heels.

I'm glad you posted this because I did want to add when I saw this new division topic in the IFBB section and the drama that ensues (as with most FBB topics there), so I would rather just have a more civil discussion here.


But the girls you mention have to come in softer. There look is too hard to fit the new standard...from what I understand. I don't know...it's like the female bb's no longer have a choice to be free on how they want to look.

The lines in judging are blurred enough...I can't imagine where this is going to go.

This is where you will be competing correct? Do you feel it will work to your benefit?


It's hard to know the real standard until we see it judged at JrNats.

There still will be FBB for the time being, and the numbers need to be up in order for the promoters to keep it. There have been far too many shows where Fitness and FBB numbers are terrible.

I do NOT want to see FBB dissolve. I intended to compete as a LW, and was fine and completely willing to accept that I would not be successful at the National level because I was not willing to do what it takes. However, if they are going to create a division where that's not really an issue, I'd be daft not to try it.

I think this does make too many divisions. It would have been easier to just judge FBB to guide it to what they want to see. Or introduce this and drop Figure. While Figure and Bikini are supposed to look different, they would look very similar if they posed the same way. Or drop Bikini, lol. I'm not a fan of the relaxed muscle and the come hither bent over posing.

I contacted Diana Stanback about the new division. She turned Pro as a MW, but has competed in both FBB and Figure. She was contemplating going back to Figure since she just can't compete with these big girls as a Pro. Beni Lopez has some of the most amazing proportions and shape and can't crack the top spots. Will they come in softer? Most likely.

Some of that coming in softer is also about not using RX diuretics (not insinuating that those women did), not necessarily bf levels. Who knows what will happen? I guess only time will tell.

First before I get to the topic at hand, I'm not gonna bash any division, I do like having FBB and Figure in the NPC and IFBB, but I think it could have done without the bikini division. Not that I don't enjoy seeing beautiful women in bikini's, I DO :), but the BB in IFBB stands for BodyBuilding, and I believe that FBB'ers fit that definition and lifestyle to a tee, fitness and figure (as gray area'd as some of it is) does require more BB'ing aspects to prep than bikini does. I agree with you that there are too many divisions as it is. Also add the fact that outside of the IFBB and NPC sanctions, FBB'ers and figure don't have as many contests opportunities outside that bikini competitors do.

Apologies to the bikini competitors here, I'm not putting you or what you do down, just saying that even without the NPC or IFBB, there are always bikini contests going on, but for the ladies that bodybuild, they don't quite have the same amount of opportunities, so I would rather see the time and money more invested in that division.

Back to the topic at hand though, I think there are too many female divisions as it is (I will feel the same way about the men's too if/when they add a Physique division).

I don't think it's fair to the women of FBB or Figure, that they have to be subcategorized into a hybrid division because they are deemed to hard, soft, muscular, smooth etc to fit a so called ideal physique. I know dvsness mentioned it would be a division who are maybe too muscular for figure, but not enough for FBB. I could probably accept that if I were convinced it would be the only new category. However where does it stop? Let's say there's a physique that's a tad too muscular for figure, but not quite enough for physique, do we add a new division in between those? On the flip side, do we add another one if the physique is too muscular for physique but not enough for FBB? That would be 5 divisions between figure and FBB. Do we add more divisions if the competitors somehow fall in between those 5 categories? This would probably lead to the unfortunate demise of FBB, and without an FBB division where would women too muscular for physique compete?

I know bottom line, it comes down to money and revenues. But I think letting the women choose what division they want to compete in between figure and FBB, after they have trained enough to see which category they realistically is best, is better than having a new category altogether, just because the judges can't adhere to certain judging parameters. If anything they are blurring the lines between divisions and not defining them more the way they should. Not sure if I explained all that the way I wanted too, but just my thoughts on the matter.

[SheWulf]

Sounds cool!

[JLB001]

I've never been one of the bigger girls on the fbb stage...so I'm kinda waiting to see how things progress with this.

[Buffycat3]

Perhaps they are trying to steer away from the huge, rugged, steroid-like looking women.
I am ok with Womens Physique Division, and the more femininity of the poses (open hand like NABBA Figure ) ONLY IF it was to stay within the muscular physique.
I do not want it being judged by the 'enhanced' women ..meaning women with breast implants...which is what I am afraid that this division will end up being.
It wouldn't be fair for women who work hard at creating a muscular physique be pushed to the back of the line if she chooses to be totally natural and doesn't want to go the distance of breast enhancing.

[pmbpro]

I'm just thinking what started out as a "man's" sport sure has been overtaken by females! Poor dudes only have bodybuilding to choose from in most organizations. The women have bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini and now physique to choose from! Crazy! .....and I already have a hard time deciding ;)

True, about the many women's categories and seems like a good income booster for the orgs, having more females compete. What's interesting though is that regarding *prize money/packages* the men's seem to still far outweigh what the women get put together! I wont even *dare* mention the recent prize money differences in the 2010 Olympia contest either <shudder> when females busted their chops to get there too...

I was hoping to compete in BB someday. Physique, in terms of placement between Figure and the bigger female BBers, may be closer to what I can get to, but I have a feeling the details/rules/judging may end up turning me off. :-(

I'm so NOT a "Bikini" or "Figure" girl. I'd lose points for just *trying* to wear heels (besides, I'm "allergic" to heels). LOL! If I'm gonna bust my chops to build as much muscle as I can, I wanna show every grain and sinew off! :-D

I'm looking forward to hearing what these Physique "details" will be. In the meantime, I'll still be "buildin' a better body" (competing or not). ;-D

[dvsness]

Perhaps they are trying to steer away from the huge, rugged, steroid-like looking women.
I am ok with Womens Physique Division, and the more femininity of the poses (open hand like NABBA Figure ) ONLY IF it was to stay within the muscular physique.
I do not want it being judged by the 'enhanced' women ..meaning women with breast implants...which is what I am afraid that this division will end up being.
It wouldn't be fair for women who work hard at creating a muscular physique be pushed to the back of the line if she chooses to be totally natural and doesn't want to go the distance of breast enhancing.

So you're saying that you don't think that you can do well without a breast augmentation? Where is this coming from? :confused: I'd be more apt to say that a pretty face impacts judging more than enhanced breasts.

[kimm4]

So you're saying that you don't think that you can do well without a breast augmentation? Where is this coming from? :confused: I'd be more apt to say that a pretty face impacts judging more than enhanced breasts.

In the new division you are being judged on looks. When does looks only include a pretty face?

Let's put the breast issue aside for a moment and think of a competitor that might not be very attractive. She's got the best bod in the division, but she doesn't have a pretty face...so it hurts her placing? Oh this just keeps getting better and better.

It'll be interesting indeed...

[Buffycat3]

I've been doing searches and reading on the New Women's Physique Division.
I am torn between liking it and fearing it.

The reason to like it would be the fact that I think a Woman's Muscular Physique IS Sexy, Sensual.
Seeing a woman with hard earned muscles ...lean and defined ...is very appealing.
So to have a division where the female body is protrayed as a harder figure/lighter bber.....Is great with me.
I see a woman's muscular body as a work of art.
and showing it off and being judged with 'feminity' is super.

What I fear is that it will take away those who are FBB, who have worked hard and achieved their hard body.
I don't want FBB to disapear.
And I don't want a bodybuilding comp turned into a 'beauty pagent' either.
I also would not like it to become too cheezy with costumes and props..(just thinkin further).


I am torn...I guess I will have to wait and see how this all works out.
If it comes to be a real and true division...then I will accept it.
and hope it works out for the good of all concerned
:)

G'day to everyone..Keep the passion of buliding a strong sexy physique Alive!!!


.

[dvsness]

In the new division you are being judged on looks. When does looks only include a pretty face?

Let's put the breast issue aside for a moment and think of a competitor that might not be very attractive. She's got the best bod in the division, but she doesn't have a pretty face...so it hurts her placing? Oh this just keeps getting better and better.

It'll be interesting indeed...

Unfortunately ALL female judging deals with that currently. ALL. If you don't agree, you're naive. If 2 women have a similar physique and one has a pretty face, she will win. Do I think it's fair? NO. But until we have more women judging women, it will continue. Largely male judging panels dictate that beyond the physique standards, face counts. Look at when NWL was winner of the Arnold and O in Figure. She has great structure, but she was softer than most damn Bikini winners. No breast augmentation at that time, but very, very pretty.



I've been doing searches and reading on the New Women's Physique Division.
I am torn between liking it and fearing it.

The reason to like it would be the fact that I think a Woman's Muscular Physique IS Sexy, Sensual.
Seeing a woman with hard earned muscles ...lean and defined ...is very appealing.
So to have a division where the female body is protrayed as a harder figure/lighter bber.....Is great with me.
I see a woman's muscular body as a work of art.
and showing it off and being judged with 'feminity' is super.

What I fear is that it will take away those who are FBB, who have worked hard and achieved their hard body.
I don't want FBB to disapear.
And I don't want a bodybuilding comp turned into a 'beauty pagent' either.
I also would not like it to become too cheezy with costumes and props..(just thinkin further).


I am torn...I guess I will have to wait and see how this all works out.
If it comes to be a real and true division...then I will accept it.
and hope it works out for the good of all concerned
:)

G'day to everyone..Keep the passion of buliding a strong sexy physique Alive!!!


.

I agree with being torn between liking/fearing.

Steve Weinberger has said FBB is NOT going anywhere, so it appears that Bob Chick's postings were merely wishful thinking on his part. However, FBB will have to really show up and compete. There have to be enough FBB competing for the promoters to profit while paying a sanctioning fee.

[kimm4]

Unfortunately ALL female judging deals with that currently. ALL. If you don't agree, you're naive. If 2 women have a similar physique and one has a pretty face, she will win. Do I think it's fair? NO. But until we have more women judging women, it will continue. Largely male judging panels dictate that beyond the physique standards, face counts. Look at when NWL was winner of the Arnold and O in Figure. She has great structure, but she was softer than most damn Bikini winners. No breast augmentation at that time, but very, very pretty.


I don't think of myself as naive. I've competed in over 25 shows (plus attended more then I can count) and I can tell you that some of the best bodies with a pretty face don't always win. I've seen plenty of not so attractive girls win...not only in BB but Figure too. I've competed in many different orgs, not just NPC...so they're all a little different. I've seen a lot of orgs that when they bring the figure girls out, they switch over the judges and use more women. (which I think is great!)

But yes, I agree it is changing.

[dvsness]

I don't think of myself as naive. I've competed in over 25 shows (plus attended more then I can count) and I can tell you that some of the best bodies with a pretty face don't always win. I've seen plenty of not so attractive girls win...not only in BB but Figure too. I've competed in many different orgs, not just NPC...so they're all a little different. I've seen a lot of orgs that when they bring the figure girls out, they switch over the judges and use more women. (which I think is great!)

But yes, I agree it is changing.

I would love to see only physiques being judged, but that is not my experience. I have seen less attractive women win, but only in FBB, and only when they brought an undeniable package... and not recently. Actually, if you look at the Pro cards handed out in FBB this year, there is a common trait - many are Figure crossovers. Hmmm.

They say they are looking for the 'total package' which IMO is a euphemism for cuteness or '****able factor'. I suppose stage presence and posing falls under that 'total package' umbrella, but I have never seen it applied to the MEN. The men can just have shape, size and conditioning. They don't need this magical pretty package.

Personally I don't think facial attractiveness should be a factor, but I do think that there is a problem with extremely androgynous appearance.

I would be thrilled to see judging panels like the ones you mentioned. They may be forced to at least switch the judges a bit since there are so many divisions that the shows will simply be too long (at least at the National level).

[Italianangel]

good, maybe now figure can soften up, I know in the states is was where they got big and hard from when it began in the 90s, now they are softening but Canadian figure from last year anyway was very bulky bodybuilder-y.......this will help bring figure to where it was supposed to be, not where it went and hopefully this means us fitness gals don't have to come in at 6% anymore and maybe we can do like we used to and come in at 10-12% which was how it used to be when i began mid 90s, I barely had to diet back then and you did not need a solid hard 6 pack and huge delts.......I want to see fitness soften up too.
You take the top 5 Olympia fitness - put them in a posing suit and tell me they cannot almost pass for bodybuilding mind you even that has gotten too far for women too, they need to soften ladies comp classes down from fitness up to bb............the pressure for female bodybuilding is so intense and I feel for them cuz they need so much more prep time and sometimes get news without much time to prep and react to that news whether it be weight class changes, capping class weight, look from one year to the next changing....so unfair for them!!
I would like to see the days of Cory Everyson type bodies come back for bodybuilding, not the lenda murray look which has blown out of proportion to go beyond.
I used to love Sharon Bruneaus' look, she was one of my faves..........now we cannot even look like that for fitness, fitness is harder than was BB was in Cory everson and Sharons day!!!! Well I am exaggerating a bit but making a point. If you want to go ifbb pro you know you know your look is going to have to go extreme and it should not be like that, I have had to add much more muscle than in the past I would have even fathomed, now I know I can lose it again but if I want my card I have to get bulkier than I ever had been or wanted.......again I know I can lose it after I retire if I choose and don't have to stay bulky but if we softened up the fitness look, more girls will have a better chance with less pressure to use A S.

[Italianangel]

These federations do not add categories for the athletes........they add them for the bottom line.......its not for us, its for them....and yeah I recall the old days of fitness and bb only, the show was over by 10pm.....now they should do as the emerald cup if they want all these additional categories, split up fit/fig/bikini on one night, bb on the other.

Most people go to bb for the bb, not the fitness or bikini and most people bitch about the heel divisions and don't get it, don't get why they are there or how its related to bb and each class looks the same to them, I have had so many people ask me what is the diff, they are all in heels.. hahahaha............having run shows myself and having competing in every federation and category, I know that is the main feedback I see.
Even when it was just BB and fitness, the audience tolerated us cuz of the neat routines otherwise really, they are there for the bb in most cases, not counting the friends or family who just come for the competitor on stage that they know........many people come just for BB, regardless if they know anyone competing.....catch, back, then they did not make the money they do now and the ladies classes bring in the cash......push media like fame does and everyone who wants to be discovered or in a magazine enters..............
if they go back to just bb and fitness........they lose money. so don't fool yourself thinking the added classes are there for the athlete.

[hieronymous]

@Italianangel

I think higher levels of body fat in competition for the divisions with more muscle mass would be a fantastic way for the sport to go. That would increase the level of perceived femininity which would enhance marketability, and also be healthier for female competitors.

[pmbpro]

You take the top 5 Olympia fitness - put them in a posing suit and tell me they cannot almost pass for bodybuilding

Heck yeah, never mind the posing suit... even wearing a T-Shirt, jeans and sneakers walkin' down the street! The first time I met this woman at a concert (we're friends now and supports my goals, awesome lady), and I could have SWORN she was a bodybuilder. Well, turns out she does FIGURE (she's "Pro Figure" now)! :-O She said BB competitions just wasn't for her. I can understand preferences, to be sure. I was just... shocked! I figured, if *I* wanted to be BB, and this woman wasn't even one, how the heck could I ever eventually compete with anyone larger than her? Holy smokes! :-O

Last year, in 2009, that was the first time I ever attended shows. I first went to try to learn physique photography and promote the sport, then I got so inspired that I wanted to train just as hard (to eventually compete). I look at some of the athletes' photos on my site once in a while ("checkin' out the competition", haha!), and I'm still amazed at how muscular some of these figure athletes are! At least the photos motivate me to get the physique I want. :-)

As far as the "beauty/pretty face" part of it goes, well, if that plays a huge part, then I'm not so sure about my being in it, because I've seen what "looks" judges look for; I've seen the photoshoots, videos, media mags/releases/covers, etc. ... and I sure ain't "it". Just being realistic about myself here, in relation to what's already "out there" in this aspect.

[pmbpro]

These federations do not add categories for the athletes........they add them for the bottom line.......its not for us, its for them....and yeah I recall the old days of fitness and bb only, the show was over by 10pm.....

Yup. That's why I noted the income generator aspect in my first post. I soooo agree with you! Combine that new category, with the number of competitors who should probably wait a while longer before even going on stage, and wow... lots of $$$ to be had!

[dvsness]

good, maybe now figure can soften up...
<snip>
I barely had to diet back then and you did not need a solid hard 6 pack and huge delts..

I disagree a bit here. I think you should do more than 'barely diet' to be successful, and I don't think Figure should soften up - some of the physiques that have turned Pro are hardly impressive.


so don't fool yourself thinking the added classes are there for the athlete.

LOL, I don't that anyone was under the impression that this was anything but an income generating venture.


As far as the "beauty/pretty face" part of it goes, well, if that plays a huge part, then I'm not so sure about my being in it, because I've seen what "looks" judges look for; I've seen the photoshoots, videos, media mags/releases/covers, etc. ... and I sure ain't "it". Just being realistic about myself here, in relation to what's already "out there" in this aspect.

If you want to compete, you have got to do it for you, for your own personal goals. I'm no calendar girl or classic beauty and I have no illusions of being Ms Olympia. I train and compete because I enjoy pushing my limits. If you compete solely to win over the judges, you will often be quite disappointed as they rarely commit to any standard, lol.

Also remember - a good fitness model does not always make a good competitor, and a good competitor does not always make a good fitness model.

[dvsness]

This was posted on www.siouxcountry.com (a female forum mainly populated by competitors):

FROM: BETTY PARISO

First let me say that Ed & I have added a 2nd Pro Women’s Contest to our Event Schedule in 2011. We will be bringing FIBO/Europa to the USA and we have included Pro Women Bodybuilding to the line-up of events. It will be held in Chicago - September 30, 2 weeks after the 2011 Olympia.

MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH A POSITIVE MESSAGE

TIME LINE:
April 2007 - In 2007 I had created a overall program called Women’s Physique Division, and presented it to the IFBB Committee, and at that time it was rejected. I felt at the time, and still do that there is a big niche that we are missing…women that want to train and build some muscle. Currently, we are missing a huge market, somewhere between the current level of Women's Bodybuilding and Figure. Women that want muscle, just not to the excess…that is what I keep hearing from so many Women that they want. The progression of Women’s Bodybuilding over the years may have discouraged many from competition in our sport.

April 2010 - I made the decision one month after the Arnold to retire from Women’s Bodybuilding. I was not tired of Women’s Bodybuilding, Competing or Training, but had decided I would not do what it takes to compete at that level of muscularity. Ed knew competing for me was so much of who I am…so we looked around and the only thing left out there for me was Figure. Although Figure is smaller than I wanted to be, I was excited with this new challenge, and it became a fun new goal for me that kept me motivated to change my body. I dropped 30 pounds in 3 months and of course loved the clothes I could fit into!

August 2010 - Bob contacts me and ask me to join and support a somewhat similar proposal that he too named “Women’s Physique Division”. I was happy to be involved and will lend my support and hopefully be able to give some ideas and direction. At this time the exact criteria is not known. You have heard directly from Steve Weinberger that Women’s Bodybuilding is not going anywhere.

MY THOUGHTS:
As a woman...I do feel in my heart it is the right direction and message regardless. I am always about being inclusive. I know some of you will not fit into this new category, but as it currently stands, many do not fit in either Figure or Pro Women’s Bodybuilding. So we have left out a huge group of women that will now have somewhere to go.

As I get older, and hopefully wiser I have always been concerned about the message we are sending to the young women coming up in the sport of female bodybuilding. The image that is winning at the highest level is a body image that is causing many women to make very difficult choices or drop out of the sport of Bodybuilding. For a lot of Women, some muscle on a woman is very beautiful...no question, but we are way over on the muscularity end of what many female bodybuilders originally liked about the sport and wanted for themselves. If this new division proves to be successful in the NPC, then these women will now have the Women’s Physique Division in which to compete.

Women’s Bodybuilding has evolved to the highest level of muscularity, and it has created a huge void between Figure and Women’s Bodybuilding. Hopefully I will have some input in
developing the criteria and this new division lands somewhere in the middle.

Sincerely,
Betty Pariso
IFBB Women’s Bodybuilding Rep
IFBB Promoter

[pmbpro]

If you want to compete, you have got to do it for you, for your own personal goals. I'm no calendar girl or classic beauty and I have no illusions of being Ms Olympia. I train and compete because I enjoy pushing my limits. If you compete solely to win over the judges, you will often be quite disappointed as they rarely commit to any standard, lol.

Also remember - a good fitness model does not always make a good competitor, and a good competitor does not always make a good fitness model.

I agree with you. I'm already building a better body for myself, and enjoy it; and it'll always be like that.
I was thinking more about the "wanting to win/place" angle if I compete regarding the judging (which is why I know I'm not even close to being on *any* stage if I wanna win, LOL!).
So true about those "standards" though. I was researching about that, then realized that even some pros are sometimes confused about what the heck the judges want from one show to the next, so I guess I won't be alone there, LOL!
Even if I end up not competing, getting the physique I want and feeling great will be the minimum reward for all that hard work. Hmmm, "looking" like a competitor won't be so bad. ;-D



Also remember - a good fitness model does not always make a good competitor, and a good competitor does not always make a good fitness model.

Hmmm, good point there. :-)

[kimm4]

I disagree a bit here. I think you should do more than 'barely diet' to be successful, and I don't think Figure should soften up - some of the physiques that have turned Pro are hardly impressive.


I agree. I don't know about anyone else, but at my age I look better tighter, sitting at a lower body fat number. Coming in with a soft look for me will not go over well. Women in their 20's carry body fat much differently and look better softer, then someone like me in my 40's. Let's be realistic...I'm dealing with gravity and they're not. So the only fix for me is to tighten it up...

In the end it is what it is. I honestly think this is it for me, retirement probably the best thing. :)

[TameMe]

One thing to remember, I don't this physique division will create a bunch of "new competitors" and new interest, it will interest girls who have outgrown figure, hurt from fitness or not big enough for bodybuilding. These girls will be well developed, have been lifting for a long time and probably already competed. It will basically help from girls slipping through the cracks because their physiques have no place in the industry, to big for figure but too small for bbing. Now they do.

I am a fitness gal and in my off season I absolutely look like a bodybuilder in size to most people. However it's with 15-17% bf and 2 to 3 pant sizes larger than I wear during season. Slim me back down to 8% and I look like a fitness girl. But I have people ask me all the time if I do bb, and I just tell them it looks like that now but not when I'm ready for a show. And I hear girls say "I can't compete, I don't have muscle like you" but I try to explain to them my muscle is all expanded from the extra carbs I'm getting, reduce the carbs and they deflate a good amount.

I think the girls on stage look alot more muscular on stage than they do in person. FYI Erin is 5'8 and competes at 128lbs.... that's little!!

[pmbpro]

i honestly think this is it for me, retirement probably the best thing. :)

:( :(

[willski52]

I think people are overlooking the motivation behind the IFBB ending FBB and starting a new "physique" division. Money. FBB is not profitable for the IFBB. It is a shame that the the IFBB is pandering towards the mainstream public by doing this. Having said that, I absolutely detest the "Bikini" division and the fact that is is part of the IFBB or NPC. If I want to see thin girls with little to no muscle with breast augmentations, then I will go to a Hooters or go see the "Miss Hawaiian Tropic" competition. But, again it is about what is mainstream. It is easier for a girl to look like a "bikini" competitor as opposed to a real female bodybuilder that trains for over a decade to make it to the pros.

Amateur shows with FBB and Figure divisions are already diluted down. The FBBs look like Figure competitors and the Figure competitors look like bikini models. Imagine whatit is going to look like now with the "Physique" division.

Very upset with this development. Shame on the IFBB.

[jumper11]

Hmmmmm, should be very interesting!

[dvsness]

WOMEN'S PHYSIQUE

DEFINITION:

WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE DIVISION (HEREIN REFERRED TO AS “WP”) 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.

JUDGING CRITERIA:

WP WILL BE JUDGED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:

* SYMMETRY, SHAPE, PROPORTION, MUSCLE TONE, POISE AND BEAUTY FLOW

*PHYSIQUE ASSESSMENT AND COMPARISON WILL TAKE PLACE DURING PREJUDGING

PHYSIQUE SHOULD DISPLAY ALL OF THE ABOVE CRITERIA WITHOUT COMPROMISING FEMININITY, BEAUTY/FLOW OF PHYSIQUE, ETC.

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 WP:

EX.) 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.

WP SHOULD BE JUDGED AS A STANDARD BETWEEN WOMEN’S FIGURE AND WOMENS BODYBUILDING.

JUDGING FORMAT:

PREJUDGING

INDIVIDUAL ONE MINUTE ROUTINE WITH 10 SECOND WARNING

QUARTER TURNS

MANDATORY POSING COMPARISONS/ CALLOUTS

FINALS

INDIVIDUAL POSING ROUTINE

AWARDS

Who qualifies for IFBB Professional League status – at Junior USA and Junior Nationals the top two (2) qualify for IFBB Professional League status, at all other National events including Team Universe, USA, IFBB North American and Nationals, the top three (3) will qualify for IFBB Professional League status. The NPC wants to set the standard for 2011 at the Junior Events and therefore only qualifying the top two (2).

RULES:

*SUITS WORN BY WP 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.

*MANDATORY POSES WILL BE PERFORMED WITH OPEN HAND STYLE AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING POSES:

* FRONT DOUBLE BICEPS/OPEN HANDS (NO FLAT FOOTED FULL FRONT POSE – SOME SORT OF FRONT TWISTING POSE)
* BACK DOUBLE BICEPS/OPEN HANDS
* SIDE TRICEP 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 WP.

[musclefyr]

I'm just thinking what started out as a "man's" sport sure has been overtaken by females! Poor dudes only have bodybuilding to choose from in most organizations. The women have bodybuilding, fitness, figure, bikini and now physique to choose from! Crazy! .....and I already have a hard time deciding ;)

Men will have a new division also, beginning this year I believe.....Mens Physique. Less size and conditioning, posing in board shorts. More like a muscly mens fitness model.

Should be interesting!

[musclefyr]

From what I've been reading, there is posing and quarter turns, but its supposed to be alot more feminine than FBB though Im not positive what that means...

is there an official link somewhere? I've only been reading mainly discussion on another forum...

I found this while searching for info regarding the new class :
www.rxmuscle.com/.../2242-npc-womens-physique-division-official-definition.html

So glad.....now there's finally a division and class that I fit into! Hopefully it will do well, and then they can add height/weight divisions, as well as masters

[terry917]

Nicely written!


One thing to remember, I don't this physique division will create a bunch of "new competitors" and new interest, it will interest girls who have outgrown figure, hurt from fitness or not big enough for bodybuilding. These girls will be well developed, have been lifting for a long time and probably already competed. It will basically help from girls slipping through the cracks because their physiques have no place in the industry, to big for figure but too small for bbing. Now they do.

I am a fitness gal and in my off season I absolutely look like a bodybuilder in size to most people. However it's with 15-17% bf and 2 to 3 pant sizes larger than I wear during season. Slim me back down to 8% and I look like a fitness girl. But I have people ask me all the time if I do bb, and I just tell them it looks like that now but not when I'm ready for a show. And I hear girls say "I can't compete, I don't have muscle like you" but I try to explain to them my muscle is all expanded from the extra carbs I'm getting, reduce the carbs and they deflate a good amount.

I think the girls on stage look alot more muscular on stage than they do in person. FYI Erin is 5'8 and competes at 128lbs.... that's little!!

[lostgirl15]

good, maybe now figure can soften up, I know in the states is was where they got big and hard from when it began in the 90s, now they are softening but Canadian figure from last year anyway was very bulky bodybuilder-y.......this will help bring figure to where it was supposed to be, not where it went and hopefully this means us fitness gals don't have to come in at 6% anymore and maybe we can do like we used to and come in at 10-12% which was how it used to be when i began mid 90s, I barely had to diet back then and you did not need a solid hard 6 pack and huge delts.......I want to see fitness soften up too.
You take the top 5 Olympia fitness - put them in a posing suit and tell me they cannot almost pass for bodybuilding mind you even that has gotten too far for women too, they need to soften ladies comp classes down from fitness up to bb............the pressure for female bodybuilding is so intense and I feel for them cuz they need so much more prep time and sometimes get news without much time to prep and react to that news whether it be weight class changes, capping class weight, look from one year to the next changing....so unfair for them!!
I would like to see the days of Cory Everyson type bodies come back for bodybuilding, not the lenda murray look which has blown out of proportion to go beyond.
I used to love Sharon Bruneaus' look, she was one of my faves..........now we cannot even look like that for fitness, fitness is harder than was BB was in Cory everson and Sharons day!!!! Well I am exaggerating a bit but making a point. If you want to go ifbb pro you know you know your look is going to have to go extreme and it should not be like that, I have had to add much more muscle than in the past I would have even fathomed, now I know I can lose it again but if I want my card I have to get bulkier than I ever had been or wanted.......again I know I can lose it after I retire if I choose and don't have to stay bulky but if we softened up the fitness look, more girls will have a better chance with less pressure to use A S.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I certainly don't want to be down on anyone's comment. I do have to say that Women's Figure can't possibly get any softer then it already is. I competed in Figure in 2009, and it was still allowing some hardness at 10% body fat. In 2010, I competed in same division, and within one year, it seemed to fall apart. I came in at 8% bodyfat, granted thats to lean for figure apparently, but the other women were at a shockingly different level. I was appalled to see how slack the competitors have become. I was standing next to women who looked like they didn't drop any water, didn't diet very hard, and almost no muscle to speak of. I lost against a girl who had fat literally hanging over the sides of her bottoms. I busted my tail to lose to someone who didn't even seem to care about training or preparing. This is not Miss America, this is a sport. This is a sport that you are supposed to work hard for. What I am hearing you say, is that dieting and muscle building is to much work, and you don't feel like doing it. I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but this crap about women in Figure needing to be softer, less toned, what are they there for? They might as well go compete in a hot body contest at a bar, or some beauty pageant. I have been told that I am "too in shape for this division" by a judge!!!! What is that?? I'm a good size, but I am not as big as a bodybuilder, and I don't need juice to make all the gains I need. I will tell you I work every bit as hard as a bodybuilder, and take it just a seriously!! If someone tells me they don't want to work, I tell them find another sport. I am happy about the new division. Last year after competing, I had Pros telling me I needed to do bodybuilding. I knew I wasn't big enough for that, but I was to big for Figure. This is the perfect fit for me. I think Bikini should go if they are going to get rid of something, because it seems any woman can walk in off the beach with no training an apparently win. It would appear that figure is moving in that direction. I thought this was a bodybuilding sport, a fitness sport. Cory Everson still had to lift weights and diet to look like she does, and she had to work extremely hard. So what, you have to add a little muscle, thats the name of this game. This is what we do, this is what we love!!! Who wants to win something for nothing? If women don't want muscle, join Bikini, thats what its there for. I have all the respect in the world for all you women that work hard in this sport. All the sweat, tears, pain and sometimes blood is all worth it in the end. It really seperates the women from the girls. Conitinue to work hard, and love what you do!

[Italianangel]

one thing I should correct....when I said barely diet.....I should clarify that, I did not mean it how it sounds......I already ate cleaner than the average joe when not dieting......so barely diet was relative to that......now I am just finding I have to diet longer and harder because the level of lean I need to get for my goal is pretty low and I suppose it would be nice to not have to get that low for fitness.......but hey I do it and I work hard.
I guess also in my experience figure girls lately have been pretty big, hard and lean but I do realize there is variance I do not disagree with lostgirls post.

[lostgirl15]

one thing I should correct....when I said barely diet.....I should clarify that, I did not mean it how it sounds......I already ate cleaner than the average joe when not dieting......so barely diet was relative to that......now I am just finding I have to diet longer and harder because the level of lean I need to get for my goal is pretty low and I suppose it would be nice to not have to get that low for fitness.......but hey I do it and I work hard.
I guess also in my experience figure girls lately have been pretty big, hard and lean but I do realize there is variance I do not disagree with lostgirls post.

I wasn't trying to insult anyone, so if it came across that way, I apologize. I do think that figure is changing for the worse. They shouldn't be as big as bodybuilders, otherwise there wouldn't be two seperate divisions. I just get upset that it seems these girls arn't trying as hard as they should, and they still win. The already seemingly non-existant criteria changes every year. How are you supposed to know how to train for this division, if they keep changing without any warning? You don't find out about the change until the moment you walk on stage. It seems in order to place well, you need to look soft, but you look at the pros, and they all are hard and lean. Whatever message they are trying to send, it needs to be clear and even across the board. Again, I am excited about the new division, but at the same time, I don't think they should ever end FBB. These women work way to hard and diet way to long for their sport to just be stolen right from under them. I know they say that it will stay in the NPC, and I hope they are right. Keep training hard ladies, this crap that the world tells us about "women should be soft" is just that.....crap. If the men are scared, let them be scared. You want to get "hugafied" go for it! Anyway.....good luck to everyone on all your future shows!!!!!!

[Italianangel]

I wasn't trying to insult anyone, so if it came across that way, I apologize. I do think that figure is changing for the worse. They shouldn't be as big as bodybuilders, otherwise there wouldn't be two seperate divisions. I just get upset that it seems these girls arn't trying as hard as they should, and they still win. The already seemingly non-existant criteria changes every year. How are you supposed to know how to train for this division, if they keep changing without any warning? You don't find out about the change until the moment you walk on stage. It seems in order to place well, you need to look soft, but you look at the pros, and they all are hard and lean. Whatever message they are trying to send, it needs to be clear and even across the board. Again, I am excited about the new division, but at the same time, I don't think they should ever end FBB. These women work way to hard and diet way to long for their sport to just be stolen right from under them. I know they say that it will stay in the NPC, and I hope they are right. Keep training hard ladies, this crap that the world tells us about "women should be soft" is just that.....crap. If the men are scared, let them be scared. You want to get "hugafied" go for it! Anyway.....good luck to everyone on all your future shows!!!!!!

Oh well speaking for me I totally did not take it in any negative of a way at all.......it is all good and you brought about a very valid point showing the other side of things too .........in the end the frustration lies with that we all just want a clear understanding of what is expected and see it done so but until there is a better way to standardize the criteria and judging all the way around, these variances will continue to frustrate us........and I am partial to what you said because I have encountered this in the past but after you do a few years of shows you see it all.......

[Italianangel]

somewhere in all this I did not click to the idea that fbb may be eliminated, that just won't and cannot happen, they can adjust the criteria but I think fbb is here to stay it is the grandmother of all female categories.............man, that would be horrible, I can't see that being reality, is it even being considered and talked about by federations?
I have not heard anything but would probably have a heart attack on the spot......

[dvsness]

somewhere in all this I did not click to the idea that fbb may be eliminated, that just won't and cannot happen, they can adjust the criteria but I think fbb is here to stay it is the grandmother of all female categories.............man, that would be horrible, I can't see that being reality, is it even being considered and talked about by federations?
I have not heard anything but would probably have a heart attack on the spot......

FBB has been dropped from the IFBB NY Pro.

Discussion here: http://www.siouxcountry.com/showthread.php?t=15143

It has already been announced that there will be no NPC FBB on CO in 2012.

Discussion here: http://www.siouxcountry.com/showthread.php?t=15294

[LongLefty]

Hahaha, caaaaaa-ching.

On one hand having more people compete, live healthier and have a goal to reach is a good thing.

On the other hand, having a division pop up when a certain type can't compete in one division or another devalues the sport, it's getting ridiculous and predictable as to why they are doing it.

[Italianangel]

FBB has been dropped from the IFBB NY Pro.

Discussion here: http://www.siouxcountry.com/showthread.php?t=15143

It has already been announced that there will be no NPC FBB on CO in 2012.

Discussion here: http://www.siouxcountry.com/showthread.php?t=15294

**call 911, rampart, rampart.... she hit the floor, get life support***

Well I hope this trial does not take! I hope there is so much flack they bring it back again.......just like the save fitness deal but now we need some fbbs to do save fbb!!!!
I have done fbb, natural amateur of course cuz I am tiny but I LOVE THE FIST POSING and the posing period, I have done open handed figure too, and although also fun, when you want to just be hardcore, the regular fbb posing is the best. I only ever entered for fun cuz I really enjoyed it and when in between my own fitness stuff or when injured and I also love watching it right up to the pro levels, its just not the same intensity without the regular poses......

[Buffycat3]

http://www.bios3training.com/2011/04/new-look-of-womens-physique-2011.html

[dvsness]

http://www.bios3training.com/2011/04/new-look-of-womens-physique-2011.html

That article includes some of the worst misinformation I've ever seen. Figure has gotten softer, not harder. The Monica images are hysterical - offseason vs contest shape and enhanced to bring out more definition. Monica actually used to compete bigger and harder in Figure than she has in the past few years.

http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l319/dvsnessa/Monica_Brant_1.jpg

A big LOL for thinking a pretty face and higher bodyfat means natural, and waist width means enhanced!!!

And there are tons of enhanced athletes that have to break their asses to get in shape.... and tons of natties that lean out faster due to higher metabolisms. Blah!

Then I saw it was written by Jerry Ward and it all made sense. :D The same dude who claims that he can tell by sight if you used EC or Clen in your prep. Complete dolt.

[Buffycat3]

Thanks for your responce on the article ...for letting it be known this article is misinformed.

[Italianangel]

This is the NY pro going on today......and the ladies worked hard and you can see it and they look great but.............okay look at this pic, the ladies are looking a bit big to me.....

[Italianangel]

now for any of you who know Ali Ethier, Sylvia Trembley and Jodi Boam, they all made pro last couple years..........all of which were always top placers in any show they enter............now they hit pro.
Last show Syliva and Ali did was the Fitness International where they tied for LAST PLACE??????? if you look at the line up they also were the smallest bodies there muscle wise.
I am hoping that although the judges may not yet be ready, there will be more bodies like these ladies in the pro line ups in the next few years making them more likely to place higher and win.........opening a path for smaller girls and less enhancement pressures in the fitness category. Some of the ladies in this line up above to me look like figure and fbb.

By eliminating FBB we have less places for the bigger girls to go..........we need the distinct differences in classes to that fitness will be less muscular and maybe the other categories will fall into place. Women have changed their bodies over years which is what it takes, just for their pro goals........now what do they do? they have spent time and money to transform into fbb.......so unfair if they now have no place to showcase themselves.

I thought bikini would open the door for these categories to be more well defined.

See in these pics, ali, sylvia and even jodi who is bigger than me, seems small compared to the rest............yet I feel those bodies are a better representation of Fitness and are the ones who should be placing top not last...........
I guess we will see as these ladies go forward and as more of us small fitness muscle girls come into the pro ranks.

[dvsness]

This is the NY pro going on today......and the ladies worked hard and you can see it and they look great but.............okay look at this pic, the ladies are looking a bit big to me.....

It's hard to say what is 'big'. Bethany may look 'big' up there, but if you stand next to her she's a peanut. Alison is very small. There were NPC Bikini girls at the show that were 'bigger'.

[Italianangel]

It's hard to say what is 'big'. Bethany may look 'big' up there, but if you stand next to her she's a peanut. Alison is very small. There were NPC Bikini girls at the show that were 'bigger'.

OMG that is very sweet to say and I WISH>>>>> I am about a buck 30 and under 5/3" so she would dwarf me I am sure, jodi boam dwarfs me.......I am very close to ali and sylvias look really.......and those other ladies dwarfed Jodi so I would be tiny in the group........

[Italianangel]

I've been doing some 'vestigatin and it seems that they are trying to phase out FBB and introduce the 'new' division take FBB down to the size of BB seen in the 80s. Cory Everson, Carla Dunlap, Sharon Bruneau etc. I think it is a great move.

Now I am all for getting back to the 80s fbb look, corey everson yes.....sharon bruneau one of my faves of all time, she is who caught my eye to begin with before I began competing but if they wanted to go back to that look then why don't the powers that be advise the judges to judge that way and then the losers will look at the winners and use that as a base for sculpting............in the end its the judging- the choice of first place which tells all the other fbbs coming up how to look..............JUST LIKE IN FITNESS so if they keep placing certain looks first that is what girls will strive for cuz in the end they enter to place first.......doing what is needed to do so.
eliminating fbb is silly, just change the standard slowly over time giving the fbbs time to catch up, many would have to lose muscle and or decrease it over time, many would then already be too big and once they muscle tones down would fit right in really, they just have to stop getting bigger and could stop some of the unhealthy stuff done to get there.

[dvsness]

OMG that is very sweet to say and I WISH>>>>> I am about a buck 30 and under 5/3" so she would dwarf me I am sure, jodi boam dwarfs me.......I am very close to ali and sylvias look really.......and those ladies dwarfed Jodi so I would be tiny in the group........

I'm speaking from experience. I'm 5'0 and 130-ish, and she is TINY next to me, though a couple of inches taller.

[thefourharmons]

From what I've been reading, there is posing and quarter turns, but its supposed to be alot more feminine than FBB though Im not positive what that means...

is there an official link somewhere? I've only been reading mainly discussion on another forum...

This is great news! I just competed in my first bodybuilding competition and I was frustrated that the top two had not so much more muscle than I they just had that "can't be natural" lean, vascular look that is killing female bodybuilding. What it sounds like to me is that women's physique will be more like natural womens bodybuilding with a new title.

[Buffycat3]

The winner of the Women's Physique Division at The NPC Junior USA Bodybuilding Championship is:
Dana Linn Bailey
Way to go Dana!
All the women look EXCELLENT!
Such a huge inspiration!

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj111/Joan40/WPD%20Juniors%20NPC%20USA%20Championship/WPDLineUp-1.jpg


http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj111/Joan40/WPD%20Juniors%20NPC%20USA%20Championship/DanaLinnBailey.jpg


VIDEO:
http://www.rxmuscle.com/videos/rx-girl-videos/3200-womens-physique-class-a-a-b-video-comparisons-plus-top-contenders-posing.html



.

[womanoid]

That's a really nice sized division.




Also, way better without the stupid shoes.

[kimm4]

I was frustrated that the top two had not so much more muscle than I they just had that "can't be natural" lean, vascular look that is killing female bodybuilding.

Ummmm...

There are tons of natty female bb's (competing in the natty orgs) that get super lean/ripped and vascular. An important part of natural bb is your conditioning. The idea is to diet down and get ripped for the stage...so your statement confuses me?

Buffycat3 is a perfect example. She gets shredded to the bone!

If your onstage and didn't diet down properly and still need to lose a good amount of body fat...why would expect to be a top pick in a female bb comp? It doesn't make any sense...

[Thuirwyne]

Ummmm...

There are tons of natty female bb's (competing in the natty orgs) that get super lean/ripped and vascular. An important part of natural bb is your conditioning. The idea is to diet down and get ripped for the stage...so your statement confuses me?

Buffycat3 is a perfect example. She gets shredded to the bone!

If your onstage and didn't diet down properly and still need to lose a good amount of body fat...why would expect to be a top pick in a female bb comp? It doesn't make any sense...

^^^this!

I would like to compete as a middle-weight, but with my frame and genetics (farm-girl strong, but not easily lean), to be conditioned I know light-weight is the only way to go.

[thefourharmons]

Ummmm...

There are tons of natty female bb's (competing in the natty orgs) that get super lean/ripped and vascular. An important part of natural bb is your conditioning. The idea is to diet down and get ripped for the stage...so your statement confuses me?

Buffycat3 is a perfect example. She gets shredded to the bone!

If your onstage and didn't diet down properly and still need to lose a good amount of body fat...why would expect to be a top pick in a female bb comp? It doesn't make any sense...

Not so confusing- Female bodybuilding is dying because there is a clear difference between being lean and having muscle mass and having such a dry, vascular look that comes from higher levels of testosterone. I agree that in the untested competitions the more shredded, dry, vascular ladies w/ any mass at all tend to take the top places eventhough it states in the judging criteria that lack of femininity loses you points. I have been to many natural shows and the women carry awesome amounts of muscle and are beautifully lean. Maybe I didn't express myself very well and there were other clear signs of supplementation w/ hormones. I will continue to classify myself as a female bodybuilder no matter what class I compete in :) I knew the open field I was competing in and know how hard we all work to build our bodies either with or without supplementation. Live and learn and come back bigger and better :)

[RoRo1618]

I've been judged by women and men. Women can be MUCH harder on other women than men. Pretty women don't always win, and I understand breast implants, given that breasts are one aspect of womanhood (for many women) and it can be hard to like how you look naked when your breasts have become sacks of skin (due to fat loss)




I agree with being torn between liking/fearing.

Steve Weinberger has said FBB is NOT going anywhere, so it appears that Bob Chick's postings were merely wishful thinking on his part. However, FBB will have to really show up and compete. There have to be enough FBB competing for the promoters to profit while paying a sanctioning fee.[/QUOTE]

[thefourharmons]

I think people are overlooking the motivation behind the IFBB ending FBB and starting a new "physique" division. Money. FBB is not profitable for the IFBB. It is a shame that the the IFBB is pandering towards the mainstream public by doing this. Having said that, I absolutely detest the "Bikini" division and the fact that is is part of the IFBB or NPC. If I want to see thin girls with little to no muscle with breast augmentations, then I will go to a Hooters or go see the "Miss Hawaiian Tropic" competition. But, again it is about what is mainstream. It is easier for a girl to look like a "bikini" competitor as opposed to a real female bodybuilder that trains for over a decade to make it to the pros.

Amateur shows with FBB and Figure divisions are already diluted down. The FBBs look like Figure competitors and the Figure competitors look like bikini models. Imagine whatit is going to look like now with the "Physique" division.

Very upset with this development. Shame on the IFBB.

Amen! To the subject of bikini, they should just be pageant girls. I do disagree however on the subject of adding "physique". In a perfect world the "manlike"female bodybuilders would score lower and therefore change the face of female "bodybuilding".But since up until now bigger has been better despite the freakish look of these ladies there has to be some way to include those of us who have trained, lifted the big weights, dieted like crazy for the past
7yrs (in my case) and still look like women w/ great muscle mass. I realize I'm rambling on but i have worked so hard, and supplemented with all that I can while still being safe and when people see me on the street they say "wow you must be a bodybuilder" and I laugh to myself, knowing i am but could never compete w/the bodybuilders today. Womens Physique, here i come.

[tranglet]

Is this a question?

[tranglet]

I like the fourth one.