Men's Bodybuilding Guidelines

Men's Bodybuilding consists of group comparisons and individual presentations. Posing suits can be of any color. Thong and T-back styles are not allowed. Competitors must be age 16 or over. Competitors under 18 must have parental consent. Competitors cannot participate in any other categories at the same show. Athletes posing in an overtly sexual manner, doing anything on stage considered inappropriate for younger audiences or being disruptive to the show may be disqualified.

Judging Criteria

Bodybuilding judging takes four elements into account: muscularity (size), definition (leanness), symmetry, and presentation (ability to display development during posing in the group comparisons).

Group Comparisons

During group comparisons competitors will be directed through a series of poses that can consist of any of the following in two rounds – Symmetry and Muscularity.

Symmetry Round:

Quarter turns (Front, Side, and Rear relaxed poses)

Muscularity Round:

Front or Rear Double Biceps
Front or Rear Lat Spread
Left or Right Side Chest
Left or Right Side Triceps
Hands over Head Abdominals
Hands on Thighs/Hips Most Muscular
Crab Most Muscular
Hamstrings Curl
Double Calf Raise
Left or Right Side Serratus
Left or Right Single Quadriceps

See images above for examples of proper form for poses. Not performing poses in the manner specified may result in lower scoring from judges.

View a tutorial.

Watch a class being judged.

Individual Routine

Competitors individually perform a 60-second posing routine to music consisting of a combination of any poses they choose. There aren't any specific poses that are required to be included in routines. The individual routine is not factored into scoring but does count toward consideration for Best Poser awards when offered.

Watch a routine.

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