Judges will evaluate competitors on the following criteria:

Posing/Presentation – Posing/Presentation refers to how well the competitor presents himself and displays their physique on stage as well as adherence to USBF posing guidelines. Competitors should present themselves with poise, good posture and confidence and should utilize posing that enhances their physique (i.e. no overly pointed elbows, arms too far from midline of body, or inability to display symmetry). Competitors should be able to quickly and smoothly transition between poses.

 

Symmetry – Symmetry refers to the evenness of development of the competitor’s physique and how well the parts of the physique flow together. It includes the balance and proportion of the competitor from side to side, top to bottom and front to back. Symmetry is a measurement of evenness of development between all muscle groups and proportion when viewed from all sides. No body part or muscle group should stand out from the rest.

 

Muscularity – Muscularity refers to muscle size and development relative to the competitor’s frame, including shape and size. The level of muscularity is determined by the extent of development in relation to the size of the competitor’s skeletal structure. Also to be considered is the shape and contour of the developed muscle and muscle groups. Classic Physique competitors should display:

 

• A slightly more muscular look than men’s physique but less than bodybuilding;

• A physique that has good structure but is not overwhelming in any areas and flows from muscle group to muscle group;

• Shoulders and lats that create an X-frame look and create a balance with the waist and lower body.  Biceps and triceps should be comparable in size in relation to the rest of the physique.

• A V-taper created by the lats visible from front and back to create an X-frame that flows into the abs and oblique area from the front and the lower back from the rear.

 

 Conditioning – Conditioning refers to the level of differentiation between adjacent muscles delineating sections or fibers within the same muscle group and the degree of firmness (hardness) of muscle tone.  Leanness is important but an overly dieted appearance is neither advantageous nor desirable. Classic Physique competitors should display:

 

• Visible abdominal separation;

• Visible separation between delts, biceps and triceps;

• Visible quad/hamstring separation;

• Full, round detailed muscles;

• Should display an “X” frame, to include a small and not blocky waist, and not display the level of muscularity, or density required for Bodybuilding and will be judged down.

• Should NOT display stringy-looking muscularity (an emaciated look)

​

Round 1: Quarter Turns

Round 2: Mandatory Poses. (Listed below)

• Front Double Biceps

• Front Lat Spread

• Side Chest of Choice

• Side Triceps of Choice

• Rear Double Biceps w/ Calf Flexed

• Rear Lat Spread w/ Calf Flexed

• Abdominal & Thigh

• Hands on Hips Most Muscular    

• 3/4 Twisting Back Pose

• Vacuum Pose

• Victory Pose

​

Round 3: Individual Presentation

Competitors will perform a 60 second posing routine to music of their choice (Pros are allowed up to 90 seconds).