WOMENS PHYSIQUE

Suits | Posing | Judging Criteria

WOMENS PHYSIQUE DIVISION

Female physique competitors are athletes with a physique that emphasizes symmetry, proportion and muscle tone. The muscles should be more highly defined and larger than that of a bikini or figure 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:

Female physique competitors do not wear shoes during competition.

General Appearance Requirements:

During the comparison round, competitors may only wear a wedding band. Competition jewelry is allowed during the individual routine portion of the event and must be tasteful and not distract from the physique.
Athletes with long hair should have a hair style that is up and off the back, shoulders and neck during comparisons. Any preferred hairstyle is allowed during the individual routine and must be tasteful.
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 round 1, athletes are given 90 seconds to perform their own routine in an open forum. Competitors are expected to express their creativity while also showcasing their overall physique. Athletes should ensure they include a minimum of four (4) traditional physique poses. These poses should include a front, back, left side, and right side pose for the judges to see the atheletes' entire physique.

Athletes who do not include required poses, or who use this time to "dance" on stage, will be scored less by the judges. Please also see the criteria and expectations below.

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 demeanor, and the smoothness with which the routine is performed. 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:

Relaxed Pose (Front)
Face front with legs seperated and flexed, knees slightly bent. Arms should be raised with elbows outward and wide, arms bent approximately 90 degrees. Chest should be high and abdominals flexed.
Front Double Biceps
To showcase arm/bicep development, competitors will face front with legs separated and flexed. Arms will be raised with elbows outward and wide at bent approximately 90 degrees with fists held at ear level. Keep wrists curled in to help enhance the biceps. The chest should be high and abdominals flexed. Knees should maintain a slight bend for a symmetrical look. Flex quads here to show separation and details in the thighs.
Front Lat Spread
Athletes should set their base with feet together and knees softened to push out quads. Arms will be pressed against the lower waist/hips with the elbows out and slightly forward to open up the lats. The chest should be raised high with rib cage expanded and shoulders kept down. Keep the waist pulled in tight to create the V-shape. Avoid leaning backwards.
Side Chest
This pose is designed to showcase upper body thickness, chest volume, and leg separation from a profile view. In the side chest position, the athlete should have feet facing the side of the stage with the front leg (leg closest to judges) spiked while locking the back leg to create tension, bringing thighs together. Shoulders will be turned toward the judges and elbows bent towards the center of the body. The rear hand will be placed on the outside wrist (the one facing the judges) and pulled upward. Chest should be high and rear pec needs to be flexed and striations visible. The front pec will remain relaxed. Thighs should be pulled in together and keep hamstrings flexed.
Side Tricep
This pose highlighting the lateral head of the tricep, chest, shoulder, and abdominal control. In the side tricep position, the athletes should have feet facing the side of the stage with the front leg spiked. Thighs should be pulled in together and keep hamstrings flexed. Both legs will have a bend in the knees and front calf should be flexed. Shoulders will be turned toward the judges and arms will be behind the back with your elbows at full extension to "lock" the tricep. The rear hand will be placed on the front wrist (or hand) and pressed downward. Chest should be held high with abdominals pulled in with symmetrical look still visible.
Rear Relaxed Pose (Back)
Stand with back-to-judges, feet staggered to showcase calves/hamstrings, arms slightly bent with hands near the hips, and lean slightly forward while preventing the spine from rounding to create maximum lat spread. Keep the waist tight.
Rear Double Bicep
Athletes should set turning away from the judges, placing one leg back with the toe spiked to flex the calf/hamstring, leaning slightly back, and raising arms to flex the biceps while spreading the lats. There should be a slight tilt back toward the judges, but back should stay wide. Hips should be forward and glute/hamstrings will be flexed.
Rear Lat Spread
Athletes should set their base and bring their best calf spiked behind them in a staggered stance. Arms will be pressed against the top of the waist with the elbows out and slightly forward to open up the lats. There should be a slight tilt back towards the judges, but back should stay wide while slightly rounding the upper back. Hips should be forward and glute/hamstrings will be flexed.
Hands over Head - Abdominal and Thighs
Hands will be raised over and behind the head and one thigh should be extended. to flex the quadriceps. Knees should remain softened and the best quadricep should be out toward the judges. Push head back into hands and flex abdominals and exhale completely to maximize contraction. Lats should remain out and down to demonstrate size and biceps should remain flexed as well. Hips will be pushed back slightly.
Hands on Hips - Most Muscular
During the most muscular, legs should remain flexed and athletes may extend one quad forward. The extended leg should flex and rotate. Hips should be hinged slightly forward and hands will be on hips, contracting the pectorals and abs. Elbows should be slightly forward and all arm muscles flexed to show proportion, symmetry, and muscle definition of the upper body.

Round 2 - Judging Criteria

Proportion:
Female physique competitors 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:
Athletes' bodies should be symmetrical with equal development of muscularity on both right and left sides.
Muscularity:
Female physique athletes are judged on muscle tone including muscle development and leanness, while still maintaining a feminine look. The definition of the muscles should be more conditioned and larger than that of a bikini or figure athlete. Competitors with too little definition will score less with the judges. Muscles should appear firm and tight with muscle striations visible. Muscles should not hold excess water or high body fat content.
Condition:
Physique athletes should have a physique that demonstrates muscle separation and striations. Having defined muscularity is necessary for full display of the athlete's development.
Stage Presence:
On stage, physique athletes should appear confident and natural when standing or moving on stage while maintaining balanced control. Athletes should walk in a graceful style and should transition between poses with a creative, and natural flow.

ROUND TWO: INDIVIDUAL ROUTINE

50% OF OVERALL SCORE

In Round 2, athletes are given 90 seconds to perform their own routine in a open forum. Competitors are expected to express their creativity while also showcasing their overall physique. Athletes should ensure they include a minimum of four (4) traditional bodybuilding poses. These poses should include a front, back, left side, and right side pose for judges to see the athlete's entire physique.

Athletes who do not include these poses, or who use this time to "dance" on stage, will be scored less by the judges. Please see the criteria and expectations in the table below:

ROUND TWO: ATTIRE

Suit Requirements:

Suit may be any color(s) and may include decorative materials, but NO advertisements are allowed.
Color and material of suit is the athlete's choice.
Suit must cover a minimum of half of the bottom and must cover the entire front. Sides must meet a minimum height of 2 cm.
Thongs are prohibited.
Padding is prohibited.

General Appearance Requirements:

Jewelry is allowed in Round 2, but should not distract too much from the competitor's physique.
Any hairstyle is acceptable in this round.
Props are welcome; however, must be appropriate for the routine and safe. No prop guns, knives, or pyrotechnics are allowed. Please also remember this is a family friendly event and we are responsible for the venue. Any athlete who does not follow these rules, will be disqualified from this round and there overall score will be significantly impacted.
Skin treatments should be natural looking and healthy tanned. (ProTan or a color on the same basis is preferred.)