Men's Physique consists of two parts: Group Comparisons and Individual Presentations. Board shorts (loose shorts that come down to around the knee) are worn for both parts. Shorts can be of any color and pattern. 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.

Judging Criteria

Judging is based on good leanness and definition with full muscularity, and good balance, proportion, symmetry of both muscularity and conditioning, and presentation. Extreme size and leanness like with the bodybuilding category should be avoided.

The Men’s Physique desired look has a significant level of muscularity without excessive density and striations that would qualify as bodybuilding. Well-rounded shoulders that flow into the biceps and triceps accentuated with a wide V-taper in the back flowing down and into the oblique. Developed thighs and hamstrings. A small waist with visible and well-defined abdominals

Group Comparisons

Each class is brought to front center stage and is guided through quarter turns to display physiques from the front, side, back, and other side. See examples of proper forms above. Not performing poses in the manner specified may result in lower scoring from judges.

Front Pose

Competitors will face the judges.

Feet must remain parallel but some lateral positioning of the toes is acceptable.

Hands may be held at the sides momentarily to display symmetry, but the arm facing the judges should be moved to the hip.

The arm facing away from the judges should be in a natural position and not extended far out from the body.

Over flexed posing and clinching of the fists is not preferred.

Side Pose

Competitor’s hips must face the side of the stage and heads should be turned toward the judges.

Shoulders may be turned as much as 35 degrees toward the judges in order to accentuate their V-taper.

The arm facing away from the judges shall hang down and the other hand shall be placed on the hip.

Feet shall be staggered, and the back calf tightened.

Back Pose

Competitors will face the back of the stage.

Feet must remain parallel with allowable later positioning of the toes.

Lats should be flared out to display V-taper and one hand may be placed on the hip.

View the tutorial.

Watch a class being judged.

Individual Presentations

The individual presentation portion is a stage walk. Competitors walk out to music to rear center stage and pause briefly in a stance of choice. Competitors then walk up to front center stage and perform quarter turns to show front, sides, and back views of their physiques, then walk to one side of the stage and pause briefly in a stance of choice, then to the opposite side of the stage and pause briefly in a stance of choice, then to the front center of the stage and pause briefly in a stance of choice before exiting. The individual presentation is not factored into placement scoring but does count toward consideration for Best Presentation awards when offered.

See the stage path.

Watch a presentation.