FIGURE

Suits | Posing | Judging Criteria

FIGURE DIVISION

Figure competitors are athletes with a physique that has good symmetry and muscle tone. The muscles should be more defined than that of a bikini competitor.

Suit Requirements:

Suit must be a two-piece bikini crossed in the back.
Color and material of suit is optional.
Suit must cover 1/3rd of the bottom AND the entire front.
Thongs are prohibited.

Shoe Requirements:

Figure competitors are required to wear appropriate competition shoes.
Shoes must be clear, high-heeled sandals.
The platform may not exceed 25mm and the heel may not exceed 130mm.
Sealed pumps are prohibited.

General Appearance Requirements:

Jewelry is allowed in this division.
All jewelry must be tasteful.
Athlete's hair style is optional.
Skin treatments should be natural looking and healthy tanned. (ProTan or a color on the same basis is preferred.)

*The head judge determines if an athlete's clothing and appearance meets the expectation of standard, taste, and decency set forth by the Mid-Atlantic Bodybuilding Association. Athletes who do not comply with these expectations may not be allowed to compete in the event.

ROUND 1 - INDIVIDUAL ROUTINE

(40% of Overall Score)

In this round, competitors will each perform an individual routine in a T-walk across the stage. After entering the stage, each competitor will start with her "greeting" pose. From there, she will walk to the front middle line a make a "face front" pose. Next, the competitor will walk to the left side and make a "quarter turn" pose, repeating this step on the right side. After completing the side poses, the competitor will walk to the front middle line and make a back pose. Finally, she will go back to the starting position and make her "goodbye" pose. *Please note: no pose should be repeated in the T-walk.

Round 1 - Judging Criteria

Uniqueness & Creativity - Judges will be scoring competitors on the creativity of their individual routine. Athletes will be scored on the poses chosen for the routine, how well they match their routine to their selected music choice, and how they incorporate their own personality into the 90-second performance. Judges will be looking to see how well the competitor displays her overall physique with their selected posing.
- Costumes and/or props will be allowed during the individual routine portion of the competition; however, these items may not interfere with the full presentation of the competitor's physique.

Stage Presence & Personality - The presence each competitor displays during the 90-second individual routine will be scored based on how engaging the athlete is with the audience, their overall domineer, and the smoothness with which the routine is performed. Competitors are expected to present themselves with confidence, proper posture, gracefulness, and elegance. Points may be lost if an athlete's routine does not flow or the athlete cannot transition smoothly between poses, looks rushed/unrehearsed, or if the athlete does not present a welcoming presence while on stage.

ROUND 2 - COMPARISONS

(60% of Overall Score)

MANDATORY POSES:

Front Pose (Face Front):
While hips are facing the judges, competitors will stand with both feet facing front and together. Heels may touch to make a "v" shape. The arms will be open and to the side. Arms should not block the physique, touch the sides, nor should they be overly wide. Lat muscles should be open and display a taper in a "v" shape. Hair should be pushed back to allow full view of the front of the physique.
Side Pose (Quarter Turn to the Right):
Competitors will turn towards the right 1/4 and adjust their stance. The hips should face the side of the stage along with the eyes. The back arm should be raised and bent slightly in front of the body but not touching in any way. The forward arm should be slightly behind the competitors back. Palms should face the body. It should not be touching the side or back and should not block the physique. The feet should be facing the side and together. Hair should be behind shoulders to allow full view of the side physique.
Back Pose:
Executing another 1/4 turn to the right, competitors will face the rear of the stage. Heels should be together or have a very slight separation barely noticeable to the judges. Toes should not be spread wide. Arms should mimic that of the front pose - open to the sides, not touching the physique or overly wide. Palms should be open with palms facing inward. Hair must be pulled towards the front so as not to block the back. The lats should be wide and flexed to show symmetry.

During the back pose, competitors are not permitted to look at the judges - the head must always face the rear of the stage during this pose.

Round 2 - Judging Criteria

Proportion:
Figure athletes' bodies should be balanced with the upper and lower body in proportion. Shoulders should be wide with a narrowing to the hips. No part of the body should overpower another part, nor should any one body part overpower the overall physique.
Symmetry:
Figure athletes' bodies should be symmetrical with equal development of muscularity on both right and left sides.
Muscularity:
Figure athletes are judged on muscle tone including the muscle development and leanness, while still maintaining a softer look than that of a bodybuilder. The definition of the muscles should be firmer than those of a bikini competitor; however, must not be as conditioned or as large as that of a female bodybuilding athlete. Competitors with too little or too much definition will score less with the judges. Muscles of a figure competitor should appear firm and tight with light muscle striations allowed. Muscles should not hold excess water or high body fat content.
Condition:
Figure athletes should have a physique that demonstrates muscle separation and slight striations. While having defined muscularity is necessary for full display of the physique's development, striations or excessive vascularity can impede the required look of femininity in this division.
Stage Presence:
On stage, figure athletes should demonstrate elegance and poise. They should appear confident and natural when standing or moving on stage while maintaining balanced control. Athletes should walk in a style like that of a runway model and should transition between poses with a feminine, creative, and graceful flow.