Pro Women’s Physique

Overview

  • Competitors will compete in a two-piece suit and no shoes. No thongs or thong like are permitted. All suits must be in good taste. Athletes will be warned about improper suits and are advised to contact show promoter if you are concerned your suit does not meet specifications. Competitors may wear jewelry.
  • Women’s Physique divisions are height based and split according to competitor numbers.
  • Crossovers are not allowed in other Pro Devisions in the same show.
  • Each competitor must have an active IPE membership.
  • The use of performance-enhancing substances is never permitted. All competitors must successfully pass a polygraph screen prior to competition.

Judging Criteria

Judging is based on competitors displaying a toned, athletic physique showcasing symmetry, femininity, shapely muscle, poise, and a graceful presentation.
Leanness is to be expected but not to the degree of the striated bodybuilding level.
The emphasis is symmetry and this should take priority in judging over extreme conditioning.
In Women’s Physique extreme striations and vascularity as seen in Bodybuilding can go against the athlete’s score.
Skin tone,Tan, suit, and grooming are also considered.
The effectiveness of the competitors posing technique to compliment and enhance their physique in mandatory poses, along with smooth and graceful transitions. These are factors included in the judgment of presentation.

Group Comparisons

Each Pro, individually, will be required to hit 3 poses (and no more) of their choice, center stage, prior to group comparisons.
These poses should be specific to the category and designed to highlight the competitor’s physique and presentation/posing ability for the judges.
The head judge will then direct the competitor to line up in the back of the stage to be ready for group comparisons.
Each class is then brought to front center stage and is guided through quarter turns as a group by the head judge, to display their physique from front, side and back.

Mandatory Poses

The head judge will instruct you to complete mandatory (muscularity) poses. You may be asked to do these several times and out of order later in the round. All poses will be done with hands open, not in fists as in Bodybuilding.
Front Double Biceps
Left and Right Side Chest, leg extended same direction hips face.
Left and Right Side Tricep, leg extended same direction hips face.
Rear Double Bicep
Rear Lat
Right or Left side of choice Intercostal Pose
Hands Over Head Abs, Hands Behind Head, One Leg Extended forward.

Individual Routine

Competitors individually perform a up to 90-second posing routine to music. The individual routine is not factored into scoring but does count toward consideration for Best Poser award when offered.

Overall Comparisons:

If the division has more than one class, the winners of each class will compete for an overall title. Overall comparisons are conducted in the same manner as judging.

Sportsmanship

Remember, you are not alone on stage. Good sportsmanship is important. It makes competitions more enjoyable for everyone. While winning might feel like the most important thing during competitions, good sportsmanship teaches competitors how to be gracious and respectful towards others. If you’re disappointed with a placement, show good sportsmanship. Consider asking the judges for feedback after the show. Everyone worked hard. Don’t allow poor sportsmanship to ruin the event for others. Sportsmanship also applies to an audience, including viewers and coaches. Competitors or coaches who exhibit what IPE/NANBF deems as poor sportsmanship at the event or on social media are subject to disqualification and may be banned from future IPE/NANBF events.

Coach Code of Conduct

  • Coaches are to refrain from using threatening or foul language while at IPE/NANBF events.
  • Coaches are not permitted to sit in the row of seats located directly behind the judging table.
  • Coaches cannot approach the judging table at any point before or during prejudging.
  • Coaches are responsible for reading and understanding IPE/NANBF Guidelines & Criteria before registering a client in an IPE/NANBF show.
  • Coaches are not to poach or solicit the clients of other coaches while attending IPE/NANBF events.
  • Marketing of other organizations’ events is strictly prohibited.
    Coaches who are caught doing any of the above will be escorted out of the venue without a refund. Coaches are to model professionalism and sportsmanship.

SCORING AND TIE-BREAKERS

7 judges are required for Pro events.
Each judge takes all criteria for a category into account and assigns one overall score for each contestant in the form of rank during the group comparison rounds.
A highest and lowest rank for each competitor is dropped as a safeguard against human error and/or bias, whether intentional or on a subconscious level.
The remaining judges’ placements are summed, and the competitor with the lowest sum total receives 1st place in the class. Second lowest sum receives 2nd place, and so on.
In cases of a tie, competitors ranked higher by the majority of all judges are awarded the higher placements.

Become a IPE judge

Are you a CURRENT NANBF JUDGE looking to take your love of judging to the next level? Become an IPE judge!
To become a judge, you will serve as a test judge for at least two competitions. If you score 90% or better of the total points, as compared to the official judging panel, at both competitions, you will be certified as an IPE judge.
For this certification to remain active, you must judge at least one time per year.
To find out more on becoming a judge, email: info@ipeproelite.