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

  1. Women’s Physique
    1. Women’s Physique athletes should display-
  1. More muscular density than seen in figure
  2. Clear muscle separation – small amount of striations is acceptable
  • Emphasis is on muscular development with full muscle bellies
  1. Muscular development should be balanced between upper and lower body
    1. Women’s Physique athletes should NOT display –
  1. An overly striated physique
  2. Graininess associated with female bodybuilding

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WOMEN’S PHYSIQUE

NPC MEMBERSHIP

Each competitor must be a member of the NPC.

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 Routines

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.

All suits will be inspected at the check-in’s. Every competitor must wear their competition suit under their clothing to check-in’s for inspection. If your suit is not inspected you will not be permitted to compete. No Exceptions.

If you change your competition suit from prejudging to finals and the judges deem it not to conform to the rules you will be directed to leave the stage. No Exceptions.

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
  1. 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.
  2. No props will be used.
  3. No heels may be worn at any time during the competition/judging of women’s physique.
  4. 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 LEVEL CONTESTS

NPC Junior USA Championships

NPC Junior National Championships

NPC Masters Nationals Championships

NPC USA Championships

NPC Universe Championships

NPC North American Championships

NPC National Championships

ENTRY INFORMATION

The following must be provided with your entry:

  1. NPC Women’s Physique contest you entered
  2. Date of your contest
  3. Contest promoter
  4. 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.