New NPC Divisions

[dvsness]

Men's Physique - will debut in 2011. Rumored to be judged in 'board shorts'.

Women's Physique - a look between FBB and Figure, classic female bodybuilding look with slightly different poses. Not sure of the start date.

These have been officially confirmed.

Opinions?

[dvsness]

Men’s Physique will begin in 2011 with an IFBB Professional League division in 2012. Men wear Board Shorts, are barefoot & will have a posing criteria & will come on stage individually & then brought out in groups. Any NPC promoter can have Men’s Physique with their competitions.

Women’s Physique will also 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.

[GetCarved]

I am a true bodybuilder, qualified for nationals, but I like these ideas. I would consider competing at a bit higher bf and in board shorts! Thats what the chicks dig anyway! haha, I will always bodybuild but I like these new divisions for appealing to the general public.

[TheHeirApparent]

Men's Physique - will debut in 2011. Rumored to be judged in 'board shorts'.

Women's Physique - a look between FBB and Figure, classic female bodybuilding look with slightly different poses. Not sure of the start date.

These have been officially confirmed.

Opinions?

not sure if srs?

[dvsness]

not sure if srs?

Yes, serious.

[TheHeirApparent]

Yes, serious.

i dont get it? how will it be judged? less muscular,less conditioned??? is it like figure compared to bikini?

[Cape1]

Men's Physique - will debut in 2011. Rumored to be judged in 'board shorts'.

Women's Physique - a look between FBB and Figure, classic female bodybuilding look with slightly different poses. Not sure of the start date.

These have been officially confirmed.

Opinions?

DVSNESS,

Few of questions for you if you don't mind.

-Will they have different weight classes or will it just be one big happy family out on the floor?

-Do you know how the judging criteria will differ from the bodybuilding criteria; and, finally;

-Do you know if this division will be included at the Cutler Classic in Boston next Spring.

I would be down with trying this out. This will be my first contest in the NPC so I may as well maximize the fear factor, esspecially at 41 years old!!

[dvsness]

i dont get it? how will it be judged? less muscular,less conditioned??? is it like figure compared to bikini?

Muscular, but not bodybuilder sized nor conditioned. We will have to wait and see what the judges reward.

DVSNESS,

Few of questions for you if you don't mind.

-Will they have different weight classes or will it just be one big happy family out on the floor?

-Do you know how the judging criteria will differ from the bodybuilding criteria; and, finally;

-Do you know if this division will be included at the Cutler Classic in Boston next Spring.

I would be down with trying this out. This will be my first contest in the NPC so I may as well maximize the fear factor, esspecially at 41 years old!!

The official rules are not out yet. I'm unsure as to whether there will be weight or height classes. It may start out as one class at the regional level and grow to classes at the National level. I guess popularity and entry numbers will dictate how many classes will be at the shows.

I would assume that quads/hams/glutes won't be as important a factor in MPD as in BB, since the competitors will be wearing board shorts rather than posing trunks.

The promoter of the Jay Cutler Classic is Steve Weinberger. You would have to ask him. Steve's email is steve@bevfrancis.com

[dvsness]

Men’s Physique Division

Beginning in 2011 a new division for men will be introduced – Men’s Physique. The following are the guidelines/rules.

Judging Criteria:

* Muscularity and Body Condition
Judges will be looking for fit contestants who display proper shape and symmetry combined with muscularity and overall condition. This is not a bodybuilding contest so extreme muscularity should be marked down.

* Stage Presence and Personality
Contestants will be asked to walk in board shorts (shorts must be just above the knee in length and can be one inch below the belly button, no spandex and no logos are permitted on the board shorts however a manufacturer’s logo such as Nike symbol or Billabong are acceptable. Competitors will enter the stage without a shirt and barefoot. No lewd acts are allowed. Example: The moon pose. Judges are looking for the contestant with the best stage presence and poise who can successfully convey his personality to the audience.

COMPETITION JUDGING

Presentation:
* Competitors will walk to the center of the stage alone and perform quarter (1/4) turns with optional pose of hand on hip or hand in pocket, face the judges as directed then proceed to the side of the stage.

Comparison Round:
* The competitors will be brought back out in a group and directed to do quarter turns
* Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in quarter turns.

Promoters can choose to have one class or two. For contests with two classes:
* Up to including 5’8”
* Over 5’8”

National level contests do not permit competitors to crossover into Bodybuilding. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with district chairperson’s approval.

Who Qualifies for National Level Men’s Physique Competitions:
Competitors that place in the top five (5) in each class at national qualifying contests will have a one year qualification for national level events.
Note: For 2011 a place in the top five (5) of any Men’s Physique contest will qualify you for national level contests.

QUALIFYING FOR IFBB PROFESSIONAL STATUS:
* NPC JUNIOR USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top 2 placers in the overall comparison earn IFBB Pro Card
* NPC JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top 4 placers in the overall comparison earn IFBB Pro Card
* TEAM UNIVERSE – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card
* NPC USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card
* IFBB NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top 2 placers in the overall comparison earn IFBB Pro Card
* NPC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card

[JHICKS3301]

Wow

[njmuscle66]

Men’s Physique Division

Beginning in 2011 a new division for men will be introduced – Men’s Physique. The following are the guidelines/rules.

Judging Criteria:

* Muscularity and Body Condition
Judges will be looking for fit contestants who display proper shape and symmetry combined with muscularity and overall condition. This is not a bodybuilding contest so extreme muscularity should be marked down.

* Stage Presence and Personality
Contestants will be asked to walk in board shorts (shorts must be just above the knee in length and can be one inch below the belly button, no spandex and no logos are permitted on the board shorts however a manufacturer’s logo such as Nike symbol or Billabong are acceptable. Competitors will enter the stage without a shirt and barefoot. No lewd acts are allowed. Example: The moon pose. Judges are looking for the contestant with the best stage presence and poise who can successfully convey his personality to the audience.

COMPETITION JUDGING

Presentation:
* Competitors will walk to the center of the stage alone and perform quarter (1/4) turns with optional pose of hand on hip or hand in pocket, face the judges as directed then proceed to the side of the stage.

Comparison Round:
* The competitors will be brought back out in a group and directed to do quarter turns
* Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in quarter turns.

Promoters can choose to have one class or two. For contests with two classes:
* Up to including 5’8”
* Over 5’8”

National level contests do not permit competitors to crossover into Bodybuilding. All other competitions are permitted to have crossovers at the discretion of the promoter with district chairperson’s approval.

Who Qualifies for National Level Men’s Physique Competitions:
Competitors that place in the top five (5) in each class at national qualifying contests will have a one year qualification for national level events.
Note: For 2011 a place in the top five (5) of any Men’s Physique contest will qualify you for national level contests.

QUALIFYING FOR IFBB PROFESSIONAL STATUS:
* NPC JUNIOR USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top 2 placers in the overall comparison earn IFBB Pro Card
* NPC JUNIOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top 4 placers in the overall comparison earn IFBB Pro Card
* TEAM UNIVERSE – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card
* NPC USA CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card
* IFBB NORTH AMERICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS – Top 2 placers in the overall comparison earn IFBB Pro Card
* NPC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – Height class winners earn IFBB Pro Card

Prepping for my pro card now LOL

[Focused2BFit]

I don't really get this, it just doesn't seem fair to the other competitors who have suffered and worked so hard to build a complete physique to earn their chance at a pro card. Now what, pretty much any guy who lifts and is in his 20's has a shot at a trophy and a possible pro card? Not to mention the amount of work and pain it takes to build a quality lower body, so now all the guys who only work their upper body get to compete in a "bodybuilding" comp? This is NOT bodybuilding IMO.

[Cape1]

I don't really get this, it just doesn't seem fair to the other competitors who have suffered and worked so hard to build a complete physique to earn their chance at a pro card. Now what, pretty much any guy who lifts and is in his 20's has a shot at a trophy and a possible pro card? Not to mention the amount of work and pain it takes to build a quality lower body, so now all the guys who only work their upper body get to compete in a "bodybuilding" comp? This is NOT bodybuilding IMO.

YEah, makes sense. I think DVNESS said, however, that they can't cross over later so while they might earn a pro card, it won't be for bodybuilding. Hey, I may give it a shot and I'm 42 but I would only be doing it for the hell of it. My goal is the bodybuilding.

Also, it seems like if you're competitve on the bodybuilding stage, you may be too developed for MPD. I would like to try the MPD but I have a hunch that it's probably a contest to see who can be the best 'pretty boy', which, I'm anything but - LOL!

I'll play it by ear. I'll bring my board shorts but if I see a bunch of Brad Pitt wannabe's back stage waiting to be called, I'll scrap the idea.

[Johalla377]

honestly it sounds pretty dumb.
Who wants to see less conditioned athletes on stage like this?
and no wheels? people need to train legs, not ignore them

[Cape1]

honestly it sounds pretty dumb.
Who wants to see less conditioned athletes on stage like this?
and no wheels? people need to train legs, not ignore them

This really is a good point. Although I wonder if it would open up opportunities for guys who want to do modeling?

[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.

[bearcub197]

I may get burned a bit for this. But i believe this is a great new division for one reason. The heigth. I believe this is one "physique" sport that taller guys can excell at. Im not saying that the best guys will be tall, but i just think this is definately tailor made for guys above the 6 foot range that dont want to use as much harsh levels of juice on themselves to get the thickness needed to compete in conventional bodybuilding against the shorter guys. Plus i believe there can be more longevity in this new division with less injurys and less stress on the body. and yes, i dont agree with it being mixed with bodybuilding but it will bring eyes to the events. and the more exposure the sport of bodybuilding has the better. even if the exposure comes from homo-eroticism ... just my 2 cents

[little rambo]

I may get burned a bit for this. But i believe this is a great new division for one reason. The heigth. I believe this is one "physique" sport that taller guys can excell at. Im not saying that the best guys will be tall, but i just think this is definately tailor made for guys above the 6 foot range that dont want to use as much harsh levels of juice on themselves to get the thickness needed to compete in conventional bodybuilding against the shorter guys. Plus i believe there can be more longevity in this new division with less injurys and less stress on the body. and yes, i dont agree with it being mixed with bodybuilding but it will bring eyes to the events. and the more exposure the sport of bodybuilding has the better. even if the exposure comes from homo-eroticism ... just my 2 cents

It's called natural BB for those who don't want to use juice.

[bearcub197]

i knew someone was going to do some dumb comment.

[monkeyfrogO.O]

why not make them wear underwear? (no homo) that way they're not as exposed as the competitors wearing posing trunks but the judges can still see their wheels

[rippedboy]

I agree, should be like trunk cut briefs or something that will show the wheels. I plan on competing in this event next year. I can't wait to see how this all shakes out.

[littlearm]

As a frequent purchaser of tickets to these events, I'm going to say I don't like the idea of the new male physique class.

The shows are long enough as is. With the addition of the bikini divisions, there are now times when you can be at prejudging for five hours or more. And most of that time isn't even about bodybuilding. That's crazy.

The last thing we need is yet another class of non-bodybuilders competing. As for women's physique, I would support that class provided they got rid of the figure class. There are already too many female subdivisions and we don't need more.

[CoriLou]

I'm a new competitor and I really don't like the idea of the womens' physique division. Does anyone have photos of what an ideal physique competitor (female) should look like, or of the poses? I plan to compete in bb until they phase it out. I want to be rewarded for muscularity and not marked down. That was why I decided not to compete in Figure; I've done one figure show and was told I was too muscular. I got into bb because I wanted to be brawny, not just look like a lingerie model with bigger delts and quads.

Or, maybe someone can tell me, based on my pic would I make an ideal physique competitor (knowing I still need to lean out some)? However, I do still want to add size, about 2" to the arms and shoulders.

[dvsness]

There is no way of knowing until we see what they reward. The first show that will have the WPD will be Jr Nationals.

[CoriLou]

I just think there should be a difference between "bodybuilders" and "people who work out." If I were just a spectator, I don't want to pay to see some guy who looks like a Calvin Klein model; I want to see the freakishly huge, ripped physiques that not just everyone can achieve if they "work out."

I don't even really like the Bikini division idea...the look is totally different and a lot of women just naturally look that way while doing nothing. If I'm looking at a man or woman, I want to see someone who obviously went through some serious pain to look the way they do, not someone who just went running 3x a week.

Why can't they have "Men's Bodybuilding" and "Women's Bodybuilding" and leave it at that? Since the Figure and Bikini classes have a lot to do with beauty, glamour and attitude as well as conditioning, maybe they should be at separate shows. This would also give each competitor more stage time, and their families and friends who came to see only them don't have to sit through 2+ hours of everyone else.

I also don't think there is such a thing as "too much muscle" as long as you are lean.

[dvsness]

Because it's a business. $ always trumps all.

[Larryeat2]

Because it's a business. $ always trumps all.

exactly

[JohnSmeton]

Nothing can match what professional bodybuilders do physique wise.

If it can open doors for modeling great

[hublife]

My personal opinion is that this is great for bodybuilding. I personally will be doing my first show in November. I'm thrilled that I get to finally compete and have an opportunity to win without sacrificing my aesthetics or health by using steroids. I have nothing against the guys who do make that sacrifice as I have been a fan of bodybuilding since I was a kid. However, I choose not to do drugs yet would like to compete in something that truly represents the ideal male physique. Just my. 02 no hate. I also wish the shorts were shorter to show off the legs.

[lolabgood]

Isn't this more like bikini than anything? im confused now... is this less or more lean than bikini

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.