
NANBF Men's Bodybuilding Guidelines
Symmetry and muscularity.
A balanced proportioned physique top to bottom, front to back, side to side.
Muscle mass, shape.
Conditioning, hardness, separation.
How well the competitor executes posing to create symmetrical harmony in group comparisions.
Stage presentation, tan, suit choice, grooming, posture.
Symmetry refers to balance, proportion and the structural harmony of the physique.
Muscularity refers to the size and shape of the muscles. There should be a degree of separation, definition, and detail in all angles.
Muscularity is determined by the extent of development in relation to the size of the skeletal structure.
Body fat retention and water retention are conditions that should subtract from an athlete’s degree of perfection in this round.
Presentation is the effectiveness of display of the competitor’s most favorable development, including posing ability and stage presence. Skin quality, evenness of tone, suit choice, and grooming are also considered. The posing technique used in individual poses, along with the smoothness of transition between these are factors included in the judgment of presentation.
The head judge will direct competitors to line up front center of the stage to be ready for group comparisons.
The head judge will guide competitors through quarter turns as a group, to display their physique from front, side and back to determine the most balanced physique.
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.
- Front Double Biceps
- Front Lat Spread
- Left Side Chest
- Left Side Triceps
- Rear Double Biceps -heel spiked
- Rear Lat Spread -heel spiked
- Right Side Chest
- Right Side Triceps
- Abs -Hands behind head, leg extended
- Single Quadriceps -Hands on hips, flex and rotate right then left leg
- Crab Most Muscular
Optional Poses
- Hamstrings
- Double Calf Raise
- Side Serratus




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 WNBF/NANBF deems as poor sportsmanship at the event or on social media are subject to disqualification and may be banned from future WNBF/NANBF events.
- Coaches are to refrain from using threatening or foul language while at WNBF/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 WNBF/NANBF Guidelines & Criteria before registering a client in an WNBF/NANBF show.
- Coaches are not to poach or solicit the clients of other coaches while attending WNBF/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.