All Male Classes

Class 1   178cm and over

Class 2  Under 178cm

Class 3  Under 170cm

You will be judged on the following criteria. Judging will be conducted by assessing ¼ turns and the following compulsory poses

1. Front Double Biceps

2. Lat Spread from the front

3. Side Chest

4. Side Triceps

5. Rear Double Biceps

6. Rear Lat Spread showing hamstring and calf

7. Abdominal and thighs

8. Most Muscular

Each athlete in the bodybuilding classes will be given a 90 second free posing round to music to further display their physique.

MUSCULARITY ROUND.

 The judges will be looking for size and development of the muscles. This will include the hardness of the muscle, this is where the muscle has a firm and tight appearance which shows a certain amount of muscle striation, and must not display excess water retention, high subcutaneous fat or loose skin. An athlete displaying all these elements would be considered lean and muscular.

DEFINITION ROUND. 

This is closely related to muscularity, and can be described as the detail of the muscle. A defined athlete will display good muscle separation and detail. There will be very clear lines of separation in each muscle group to the adjourning muscle groups with some lines of fibre separation.

SYMMETRY ROUND. 

This is an even display of muscularity across both sides of the body. The judges will be looking for the best built man not just the biggest! They will be looking for everything to flow evenly with no overdeveloped or underdeveloped body-parts.

PROPORTIONS.

 The judges will expect an athlete to proportioned. This means that no muscle group is over powering against the other groups, or under developed. Although ‘freaky’ body parts attract attention, it is not desirable if an athlete is to achieve the total package.

STAGE PRESENCE / POSING ROUND.

 The judges are looking at how each athlete displays their physique and poses. This is often an overlooked criteria, but is NOW included in the judging. Athletes should be able to make shapes and lines that accentuate their physique. They should look confident proud. So often athletes spend hours and hours, day after day, month after month sculpting their physique to let themselves down by lack of attention to the art of bodybuilding. You are on stage to show the judges and the audience what you have created, don’t let your lack of posing ability lose you valuable points if the competition is close this may be the deciding factor.

Posing is a lost art, since the posing round was taken away some athletes put zero effort into their presentation . You will be judged at all times even when standing at the back of the stage if the judges see you completely relaxing letting your stomach hang out you will be marked down.  We understand not everyone is great at posing all we ask is you practice , make an effort .

We do not want to see the front or rear relaxed pose displayed with the hands shoulder height like you are riding a Harley. This takes away from the flow of the physique and makes you look smaller. The lats should be tensed with hands waist level or slightly higher. keep the mid-section tight and legs flexed as much as possible. Again Practice , practice!

SUMMARY

 The athlete that can display strength in ALL of the above criteria will be considered the best overall package, and will place higher than their peers who have elements missing from their physique. However, it is necessary to consider that you are judged by a panel of judges who will have some personal preference. When judging incomplete physiques one judge may prefer they athlete with definition over muscularity and another muscularity over definition. This is to be expected and actually desired so you get a fair judging across a wide panel of judges. Therefore, it is necessary to objectively look at each aspect of your physique and work to achieve all criteria, maybe get the opinion of an expert who knows what they’re looking for. The IBFA represents old school bodybuilding values, and favours the complete package.

One last thing you are welcome to request feedback from the judges, however any verbal abuse or bad sportsmanship suggesting favouritism by the judges will not be tolerated and you will be escorted from the venue by security.

JUNIORS

Judged the same as men`s bodybuilding.

First Timers

Must be first time ever competing. This does not mean first time competing with the IBFA. It means first time you’ve ever stepped on a bodybuilding stage to compete. If you are caught cheating you will disqualified from competing & stripped of any placing and award you are presented with. The IBFA takes this very seriously. You have been warned.

Male Classic Athletic

The IBFA encourages competing at all levels and appreciates some athletes prefer to build a more classic physique. To ensure this we have the Classic Athletic classes.

These hold a maximum height to weight ratio to ensure a level field. The class or classes will be judged on the same criteria as the Open bodybuilding classes but the emphasis will be on shape, condition and symmetry more than just size.

We encourage old school posing showing off the symmetry and flow of the body. The physique best put together with the smaller waist wide shoulders is favoured with great conditioning. ( Mass with class).

Classic Athletic and Classic Athletic over 45yrs + 6kg

Height in cm minus 100 plus 6kg is maximum weight.

Eg, 176cm Tall, minus 100 is 76. (76 + 6 = 82). Max weight 82kg. ( you will be weighed and measure at registration for this class to be verified eligible).

(Free posing will be 90 seconds and in some shows a maximum of 2 minutes. ( please check with the show promoter first)

At the Britain Finals this will be 60 seconds.

Novice

This class is for athletes who have previously competed but not placed in top 3 of any show or class, not only IBFA. If you have placed top 3 on any stage you are not eligible for this class.

Men’s physique

Judging Criteria All athletes should display an athletic appearance, with muscularity, symmetry, balance, proportions, conditioning and presentation as described in the Men`s Classes section above.

Athletes walk on stage in numerical order and stand at the rear of the stage. Athletes will perform quarter turns, then compulsory poses, see below, followed by the “I” walk, see below.

The judges will assess scores and athletes will then be presented medals and placings and then exit the stage.

Compulsory Poses

1. Front facing pose of your choice with hands above the head. Hands can be open or closed.

2. ¼ turn to the right showing left side. Pose of your choice with abs and obliques visible and left arm above the head, open or closed.

3. Another ¼ turn to right showing the rear of the physique. Pose with hands above the head. Hands can be open or closed.

4. ¼ turn to the right, showing the right side of the body. Pose of your your choice showing abs and obliques, with right hand above the head

5. Final ¼ turn to the right showing the front of the physique. Pose of your choice displaying the best of your mid section.

“I” Walk. Athletes will be called in numerical order, they will perform a front pose of their choice at the rear of the stage, they will then proceed to the front centre of the stage and display another front pose of their choosing, followed by poses to display both sides and the rear of the physique with the aim to display the completeness with regards to balance, symmetry, definition and proportion. This will not take longer than 60 seconds, when the athlete must return to the line up at the rear of the stage. Music will be dj`s choice.

Female Classes

Ladies Toned Figure

To be considered the complete physique in this category you should show an athletic shape that has clearly been created with athletic activity. The judges will be looking for a symmetrical and balanced feminine physique with consideration to skin tone, poise and grace. Confidence and stage presence are important in this class. The physique should have no over powering or under developed body parts, and tone and condition should be even throughout the body. The judges are not looking for hard definition, vascularity or striated muscle in this category. The physique should be firm, with relatively low levels of bodyfat. If the judges believe your physique to be ‘too hard’ for the category they may offer you the opportunity to move up a category to athletic. However, this will be the choice of athlete, but the judges will mark this down as it is out of the class criteria. Your stage presence and over all presentation (hair, costume, makeup are all considered) See image below

Posing Rounds

• ¼ Turns

• Favourite Front Pose Hands above the head

• Favourite Side Pose

• Favourite Rear Pose

• 60 Seconds Individual Free Posing to music of choice.

Ladies Athletic Figure

This category requires the athlete to show a harder physique to the toned figure category. Muscularity with feminine lines are desirable. This means freaky muscles such as huge deltoids or sweeping quads will be marked down as out of criteria. The judges are looking for low levels of bodyfat, with a dry look, but not hard striated and vascular looking. Athletes who look flat and over dieted are not encouraged, you should show a healthy, muscular defined physique from top to bottom. Presentation and presence will be considered this includes costume, hair and makeup.
If the judges believe your physique to be ‘too hard’ for the category they may offer you the opportunity to move up a category to trained. However, this will be the choice of athlete, but the judges will mark this down as it is out of the class criteria. See Image below

Posing Rounds

• ¼ Turns

• Double Biceps

• Side Triceps

• Rear Double Bicep

• Abs and Thighs

• 90 Seconds Individual Free Posing to music of choice.

Ladies Trained Figure

The most important aspect of the trained figure class on maintaining feminine shape and lines whilst displaying a very low body fat levels, a good level of balanced, symmetrical muscle with separation. Although extremes that detract from the feminine lines are not desirable. As with all female classes the overall presentation is considered including stage presence, hair and makeup. See image below

Posing Rounds

• ¼ Turns

• Double Biceps

• Side Triceps

• Rear Double Bicep

• Abs and Thighs

• 90 Seconds Individual Free Posing to music of choice.

Ladies Bodybuilding

Feminine muscle, displaying muscle size, symmetry, proportion and conditioning. The judges will be looking for a greater amount of muscle size, definition, separation and vascularity than that of the trained figure category.

Competitors will be judged on overall shape, structure and proportion of their physique. We are looking for even balance and proportion from all angles, the back, the front, the upper and the lower part of the physique.

Shoes are not worn for this category.

Competitors will be put through a series of ¼ turns to show all sides of the body followed by the following 7 compulsory poses.

• Front Double Biceps

• Lat Spread from the Front

• Side Chest

• Side Triceps

• Rear Double Biceps

• Rear Lat Spread

• Abdominal and Thigh

Competitors will then given an individual free posing routine to music of their choice. This is typically 90 seconds, but some promoters may offer up to 2 minutes. Please confirm with your show promoter before competing. The finals will be 60 seconds.

Bikini Class.

Women’s Bikini Must have a foundation of health and fitness. Symmetry and balance. Demonstrating poise, femininity and self confidence. Extreme definition and separation, dryness and dieted leanness will NOT be considered acceptable. Judges will be looking at overall presence, skin tone, presentation including hair, makeup and costume.

When standing in the line up competitors should not adopt a tense pose but a more relaxed stance.

Round 1

Quarter Turns Competitors stand facing front.

Quarter turn the right Quarter turn the right facing rear of the stage.

Quarter turn to the right Quarter turn to the front.

Competitors should present themselves with poise, confidence and posture not adopting a tense pose but a more relaxed stance.

Round 2

I walk Starting point centre back of stage facing front Head judge will request competitor to walk forward to the front of the stage and stop Then rotate to the right pose and then the left pose then face rear of stage for back pose then turn and finally face front again.

Music is DJ choice

Round 3 comparisons.

Competitors line up facing front at the back of the stage. The head judge will call groups of 3 to 6 front and centre. Then judge request best front pose, best right side pose, best back pose, and best left side pose. Face front and back to line up and repeat until all judges happy.

LADIES OVER 50`S FIGURE

This will be an open class for over 50`s , a combination of Athletic, Trained , Toned and women`s Bodybuilding. 

The person who best fits their category will win.

WELLNESS CLASS 

Will be judged on an athletically presented physique . Ladies must show more muscularity in the glutes, hamstrings, hip and thigh areas. The upper body should be developed and display a good level of fitness, particularly the shoulder caps. However, emphasis must be on the lower half of the physique. Conditioning and Presentation are essential and will be assessed by the judges.   Stage presence, etiquette and tanning will form the foundations of all judging decisions.

Mixed Disability

Eligibility

Open to athletes with any disability. This includes but is not limited to:

• Mobility impairments (e.g., amputation, paralysis)

• Sensory impairments (e.g., visual)

• Intellectual impairments

Judging Criteria

• Muscularity: Size, shape, symmetry, and definition of muscles.

• Conditioning: Leanness, muscle separation, and overall physical fitness.

• Presentation: Stage presence, posing routine, and confidence.

• Adaptive Considerations: Judges will make reasonable accommodations for athletes with disabilities. For example, an athlete with a mobility impairment may be judged on their upper body development if they are unable to perform lower body poses.