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Men's Bodybuilding Competition Guidelines
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NPC Bodybuilding Rules
It should be noted that these men's bodybuilding guidelines are provided as a service and do not include the complete rules for competition set out by the NPC, are not intended to encompass all requirements that competitors must meet in order to compete in a NPC sanctioned event.
WEIGHT GROUPS
Unlimited - 6 weight groups
(national qualifier)Bantom weight - up to 143 1/4 Light weight - over 143 1/4 to 154 1/4 Middle weight - over 154 1/4 to 176 1/4 Light heavy wt - over 176 1/4 to 198 1/4 Heavy weight - over 198 1/4 to 225 1/4 Super heavy weight - over 225 1/4
Unlimited - 4 weight groups Light weight - up to 154 1/4 Middle weight - over 154 1/4 to 176 1/4 Light heavy wt - over 176 1/4 to 198 1/4 Heavy weight - over 198 1/4
Novice - 3 weight groups Light weight - up to 165 1/4 Middle weight - over 165 1/4 to 187 1/4 Heavy weight - over 187 1/4
PREJUDGING
1. CHECK-IN: Double check your entry form for information concerning the location and time of check-ins. It is your responsibility to be sure to show up when and where you should.
Have your suit on before you get in the line at check-ins. Do not wait until you are at the check-in location. Be considerate of your fellow competitors.
2. NUMBERS: Your numbered tag should be placed on your left hip. Place it on the flat plane of your hip to prevent it from twisting or flipping around. This way the judges should be able to see it clearly and will be able to spend their energies on judging your physique, rather than figuring out what number you are.
3. ROUNDS OF COMPETITION: Prejudging will consist of three rounds of competition; symmetry round, 60-second free posing, and comparisons.
Note: If there are less than 100 athletes in the contest everyone will perform at the evening finals. If this is the case then the 60 second free posing round may be dropped at the morning prejudging.
Symmetry Round: Each class will be directed to the stage in a single numerical line-up.
The class will be instructed by the head judge to perform quarter turns, one turn at a time, to the right. You should perform quarter turns with heels touching, arms at your side and your head facing in the direction of your feet. You should be in a "semi relaxed" pose, meaning you are not performing any mandatory poses, but you should not be totally relaxed either.
Do not distort your body by twisting your torso or placing one arm further in front of you than the other. Perform the quarter turns as indicated above. If you are not in the position indicated above, the head judge will direct you to conform to the position required.
Free posing round: Each competitor will perform his 60-second free posing routine without music. You may perform the routine you plan to use at the evening finals, or you may use an entirely different routine.
Do not try to do your entire 90-second routine in 60 seconds. If you don't hold your poses long enough, you will not be able to display your physique to your best advantage.
You may begin whenever you are ready. You do not have to wait for the head judge to tell you to begin. You will be timed from your first pose. When 50 seconds has elapsed, the head judge will call "10 seconds". This is to warn you that you still have 10 seconds remaining in which to complete your routine. When 60 seconds has elapsed, the head judge will call "time". You may perform one additional pose and then leave the stage.
You may perform gymnastic maneuvers. However, keep in mind that you may be posing on a raised platform, which may or may not be as steady as the stage floor. If you plan on performing gymnastic maneuvers, please look over the posing platform first. You should be allowed to inspect the posing platform before prejudging. If for some reason you run into any problems in being given a opportunity to inspect the posing platform please find Jon Lindsay right away and this problem will go away.
Comparison Round: The entire class will file on stage in a line as they did in the symmetry round. At this point, the head judge will call out the mandatory poses to be performed.
The mandatory poses consist of the following:
1. Front double biceps
2. Front lat spread
3. Side chest (either side)
4. Side triceps (either side)
5. Back double biceps (facing rear curtain)
6. Rear lat spread (facing rear curtain)
7. Abdominals and quadriceps
BANNED POSE: AT NO TIME DURING THE PREJUDGING OR EVENING FINALS IS THE MOON POSE ALLOWED. THIS POSE IS PERFORMED WHEN THE ATHLETE TURNS HIS BACK TO THE AUDIENCE AND BENDS OVER AT THE WAIST. BE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT THIS POSE IS AND THAT YOU DO NOT PERFORM IT. IF YOU PERFORM THIS POSE YOU WILL BE DISQUALIFIED - NO EXCEPTIONS !!
LISTEN TO THE HEAD JUDGE AS THEY DIRECT YOU ON STAGE. You may not remain in the same location on stage throughout this round. Depending on the number of competitors in the class and what comparisons the judges want to see, you may be asked to stand next to different competitors, to move to one side of the stage or the other or to move on or off the posing platform.
EVENING FINALS You will be notified before the end of prejudging when you need to return to the theater. Make sure you have this information before you leave the venue.
It is the discretion of the promoter if all athletes will perform their evening finals routine, or be limited to the top 5 in each class. All competitors will be introduced at the evening finals. AT ALL LINDSAY PRODUCTIONS REGIONAL EVENTS WE WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ALWAYS POSE EVERYONE AT THE EVENING FINALS.. At the evening finals the top five (5) in each weight group in the unlimited classes at national qualifying and national events will be re-judged. These scores for the evening finals will be included with the morning presentation for a final tabulation and placement.
POSING TRUNKS: Posing trunks must be a solid color. Posing trunks must cover 50% of the glute area.
Posing trunks should not be as follows:
1. Metallic
2. Multi-colored
3. Have any decorations, ie; studs, sequins, ect.
You should bring at least two pairs of posing trunks with you in case your first choice tears, rips or some other mishap occurs.
JEWELRY: No jewelry will be worn except for a wedding band. All other types of jewelry will not be worn. This includes any other rings, earrings, chains, or pins.
You will be asked to remove unauthorized jewelry and will not be allowed on stage until you do so. This also applies to all phases of competition, prejudging and the evening finals.
JUDGING RESULTS: If you wish to approach the judges please do so after the end of the competition at the evening finals. The judges are judging for the overall placement in the various divisions so please wait until then to approach them with your questions. You can also call the district chairman the following week regarding scores, results etc.
SPORTSMANSHIP: The NPC requires that a athlete conduct themselves in a manner which will reflect favorably on the sport of Bodybuilding and the NPC. Any conduct contrary to that effect is discouraged, and, depending on the severity of such conduct, can lead to suspension from competition. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:
1. Making disparaging remarks concerning any NPC official, judge or fellow athlete in the venue location.
2. Making disparaging gestures while on stage.
3. Smashing, breaking or throwing an award, damaging or vandalizing the contest venue
4. Any conduct which demeans you, your fellow athletes, judges or officials.
Competition can be a source of great triumph and achievement. There are no guarantees. The nature of the competition requires "risk taking". Sometimes you wind up being very disappointed because you did not do as well as you wanted to, or as well as you thought you deserved.
What ever happens, leave the audience with the impression that you are a gracious competitor, that you have dignaty and class. The way that you present yourself and take your placement will be remembered long after people remember what place you took.
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