Men’s Bodybuilding was officially recognized as a sport discipline in the modern version by the 1959 IBBFF . Women’s Bodybuilding was officially recognized as a sport discipline being replaced in year 2013 by Women’s Physique.
General:
The IBBFF Rules for Men’s Bodybuilding consist of regulations, policies, directives and decisions intended to guide the IBBFF and its Members in the administration of the sport of Bodybuilding.
Rules:
1.There are Ten categories in men’s National-level bodybuilding competitions, currently as follows:
a). Up to & Incl. 55 kg
b). Up to & incl. 60 kg
c). Up to and incl. 65 kg
d). Up to and incl. 70 kg
e). Up to and incl. 75 kg
f). Up to and incl. 80 kg
g). Up to and incl. 90 kg
h). Up to and incl. 100 kg
I). Over 100 kg
- There are ,Seven Category in junior men’s National-level bodybuilding competition, age 23 years inclusive, currently as follows:
a). Up to & Incl. 55 kg
b). Up to & incl. 60 kg
c). Up to and incl. 65 kg
d). Up to and incl. 70 kg
e). Up to and incl. 75 kg
f). Up to and incl. 80 kg
g). Up to and incl. 90 kg
- There are twelve categories in master men’s National-level bodybuilding competitions, currently as follows:
A) 40 to 44 years of age inclusive:
- Up to and incl. 70 kg
- Up to and incl. 80 kg
- Up to and incl. 90 kg
- Over 90 kg
B) 45 to 49 years of age inclusive:
- Up to and incl. 70 kg
- Up to and incl. 80 kg
- Up to and incl. 90 kg
- Over 90 kg
C) 50 to 54 years of age inclusive:
- Up to and incl. 80 kg
- Over 80 kg
D) 55 years of age and over:
- Up to and incl.75 kg
- Over 75 kg
4- There are five categories in men’s National/Wrold-level classic bodybuilding competitions,with the following bodyweight limitations:
- Class A: Up to & incl. 168 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 0 [kg]
- Class B: Up to & incl. 171 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 2 [kg]
- Class C: Up to & incl. 175 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100 ) + 4 [kg]
- Class D: Up to & incl. 180 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 6 [kg]
- Class E: Over 180 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 8 [kg]
Note 1: For competitors with a body height of over 190 cm up and up to and including
198 cm, the following formula will be used:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 9 [kg]
Note 2: For competitors with a body height of over 198 cm, the following formula will
be used:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 10 [kg]
Note 3: All of the above mentioned competitors will participate in the “Over 180 cm”
category.
5-There is one open category in junior men’s world-level classic bodybuilding competitions (age 16 to 23), with the following body-weight limitations:
Up to & incl. 168 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 0 [kg]
Up to & incl. 171 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 1 [kg]
Up to & incl. 175 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 2 [kg]
Up to & incl. 180 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 3 [kg]
Up to& incl. 190 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 4 [kg]
Up to& incl. 198 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 4.5 [kg]
Over 198 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 5 [kg]
6- There are three categories in master men’s National/world-level classic bodybuilding competitions, currently as follows:
– 40 to 44 years of age inclusive:
One open category.
– 45 to 49 years of age inclusive:
One open category.
– 50 years of age and over:
One open category
Note 1: Bodyweight limitations for all master men’s classic bodybuilding competitors are the same like for men classic bodybuilding competitors (see point 4 ).
7- There are two categories in men’s National/world-level games classic bodybuilding competitions, currently as follow:
- Up to & incl. 175 cm
- Over 175 cm
With the following bodyweight limitations:
Up to & incl. 162 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) – 2 [kg]
Up to & incl. 165 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) – 1 [kg]
Up to & incl. 168 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 0 [kg]
Up to & incl. 171 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 1 [kg]
Up to & incl. 175 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 2 [kg]
Up to & incl. 180 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 3 [kg]
Up to& incl. 188 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 4 [kg]
Up to& incl. 196 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 5 [kg]
Over 196 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 6 [kg]
8- There are two categories in women’s National/world-level fitness competitions, currently as follows:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 163 cm
- Class B: Over 163 cm
9-There are two categories in junior women’s National/world-level fitness competitions, age 23 Years inclusive, currently as follows:
– 23 years of age inclusive:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 163 cm
- Class B: Over 163 cm
10- There is one open category in men’s National/world-level fitness competitions, with the following body-weight limitations:
Up to & including 170 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 1 [kg]
Up to & including 175 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 2 [kg]
Up to & including 180 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 3 [kg]
Up to & including 190 cm
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] -100) + 4 [kg]
Up to & including 198 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 4.5 [kg]
Over 198 cm:
Max Weight [kg] = (Height [cm] – 100) + 5 [kg]
11- There is one open category in junior men fitness world-level competitions (age 23 Years) subject to the following criteria:
Max. Weight [kg] = Height [cm] – 100 [kg]
12-There are four categories in senior women’s National/world-level bodyfitness competitions, currently as follows:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 158 cm
- Class B: Up to and incl. 163 cm
- Class C: Up to and incl. 168 cm
- Class D: Over 168 cm
13- There is one open category in junior women’s world-level bodyfitness competitions, age 23 Years inclusive.
14-There are two categories in master women’s National/world-level bodyfitness competitions, currently as follows:
a- 35 to 44 years of age inclusive:
One open category.
b- 45 years of age and older:
One open category.
15- There are eight categories in women’s National/world-level bikini fitness competitions, currently as follows:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 158 cm
- Class B: Up to and incl. 160 cm
- Class C: Up to and incl. 162 cm
- Class D: Up to and incl. 164 cm
- Class E: Up to and incl. 166 cm
- Class F: Up to and incl. 169 cm
- Class G: Up to and incl. 172 cm
- Class H: Over 172 cm
16-There are three categories in junior women’s National/world-level bikini fitness competitions, age 23 Years inclusive, currently as follows:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 160 cm
- Class A: Up to and incl. 166 cm
- Class B: Over 166 cm
17-There are two categories in master women’s bikini fitness National/world-level competitions, age 35 and over:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 163 cm
- Class B: Over 163 cm
18- There are two categories in women’s physique National/world-level competitions, currently as follows:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 163 cm
- Class B: Over 163 cm
19- There is one open category in master women’s physique National/world-level competitions, age 35 and over.
20- There are six categories in men’s physique National/world-level competitions, currently as follows:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 170 cm
- Class B: Up to and incl. 173 cm
- Class C: Up to and incl. 176 cm
- Class D: Up to and incl. 179 cm
- Class E: Up to and incl. 182 cm
- Class F: Over 182 cm
21- There are three categories in junior men’s physique National/world-level competitions, age 23 Years inclusive, currently as follows:
- Class A: Up to and incl. 174 cm
- Class B: Up to and incl. 178 cm
- Class B: Over 178 cm
22- There are three categories in master men’s physique National/world-level competitions, currently as follows:
a)- 40 to 44 years of age inclusive:
One open category.
b)- 45 to 49 years of age inclusive:
One open category.
c)- 50 years of age and over:
One open category
National / International Competition Procedures (general concept)
1)-The procedures of the International Competitions are as follows:
Rounds
A)- Rounds:
Bodybuilding will consist of the following four rounds:
- Prejudging: Elimination Round (Four Mandatory Poses)
- Prejudging: Round 1 (Four Mandatory Poses and Comparisons of Seven Mandatory Poses)
- Finals: Round 2 (Seven Mandatory Poses and Posedown)
- Finals: Round 3 (Free Posing Routines – 60 sec.)
A.1)- Prejudging: Eliminations Round
When there are more than 15 athletes competing in a category, an elimination round will usually be held for the purpose of reducing the number to 15. IBBFF Chairman Judge Committee decides if the Elimination Round will be necessary. The judges will select the top 15nby placing an “X” beside their numbers, using Form 1, entitled “Elimination Round (Judges)”. Using Form 2, entitled “Elimination Round (Statisticians)”, the statisticians will transcribe the judge’s selections onto this sheet and will then tally the judge’s scores to select the top 15 competitors. If there is a tie between two or more athletes at the 15th place, the tied athletes will be brought back onstage, and will once again be called on stage for the purpose of breaking the tie. Only the top 15 competitors will advance to Round 1. The details of Elimination Round for each IFBB sports discipline are provided in a Section of rules for this discipline.
A.2)- Prejudging: Elimination Round
a)-General:
A time-table for prejudging in each category should be published after the Official Athlete Registration. In order to give themselves time to warm up and change into their posing attire, competitors should be in the backstage warm-up area at least 45 minutes prior to the start time of the judging of their category. All competitors will be solely responsible for ensuring that they are present and prepared to compete when their category is called onstage failing which they may be eliminated from the competition.
A.3)- Elimination Round Procedures:
An Elimination Round will be held when there are more than 15 competitors in a category. IBBFF Chief Judge decides if the Elimination Round will be necessary. The EIimination Round will be carried out as follows:
- The entire line-up is brought onstage, in numerical order and in a single line or two ines, if necessary.
- The line-up is divided into two equal-size groups and is positioned onstage so that one group is to the left of the stage; the other group is to the right of the stage. The center portion of the stage is left open for comparison purposes.
- In numerical order, and in groups of not more than eight competitors at a time, each group is directed to the center-stage area to perform the following four Mandatory Poses:
- Front double biceps;
- Side chest;
- Back double biceps;
- Abdominals and thighs.
Note 1: Detailed description of the Men’s Bodybuilding mandatory poses is provided in
Appendix 1 to this Section.
Note 2: Competitors will not chew gum or any other products while onstage.
Note 3: Competitors will not drink any liquids while onstage.
- On completion of four mandatory poses, the entire line-up is reformed into a single line, in numerical order, before exiting the stage.
A.4)- Prejudging: Posing Attire for All Rounds
The posing attire must meet the following guidelines:
- Competitors will wear one-coloured, opaque posing trunks which are clean and decent.The colour, fabric, texture and style of the trunks will be left to the competitor’s discretion. The trunks will cover a minimum of ¾ of the gluteus maximus. The front area must be covered and the side of the trunks should be 1 cm in width at a minimum. The use of padding anywhere in the trunks is prohibited.
- Except for a wedding ring, competitors will not wear footwear, glasses, watches, pendants, earrings, wigs, distracting ornamentation or artificial aids to the figure. Implants or fluid injections causing the change of the natural shape of any other parts or muscles of the body are strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification of the competitor.
- The use of props during the Prejudging or Finals presentation is strictly prohibited.
- The use of tans and bronzers that can be wiped off is not allowed. If the tan comes off by simply wiping, the athlete will not be allowed to enter the stage. Artificial body colouring and self-tanning products may be used provided that it is applied at least twenty-four hours prior to the Prejudging. Professional competition tanning methods (airbrush tanning, cabin spray tanning) may be used if applied by the professional companies and qualified personnel. Sparkles, glitter, shiny metallic pearls or gold coloring are prohibited whether applied as part of a tanning lotion or applied separately, regardless of who applied them on the competitor’s body.
- The excessive application of oil on the body is strictly prohibited; however, body oils and moisturizers may be used in moderation.
- The IFBB Chief Judge, or a delegated by him official, will have the right to make decision if a competitor’s attire meets the criteria established in the Rules and an acceptable standards of aesthetics. The athlete may be disqualified if the attire doesn’t meet them.
A.5- Prejudging:
Assessing and Scoring of the Elimination Round:
a-Assessment of the Elimination Round:
The same criteria used in judging Round 1 will be used in judging of the Elimination Round.
- At this time, the judges will be assessing the overall physique for the degree of proportion, symmetry, muscle size and quality (density, separation, definition) as well as skin tone. The scoring for the Elimination Round will proceed as follows: 7.2 Scoring of the Elimination Round
The scoring for the Elimination Round is carried out as follows:
- If there are more than 15 competitors, the judges will select the top 15 by placing an “X” beside their numbers, using Form 1, entitled “Elimination Round (Judges)”. IBBFF Chief Judge decides if the Elimination Round will be necessary.
- Using Form 2, entitled “Elimination Round (Statisticians)”, the statisticians will transcribe the judge’s selections onto this sheet and will then tally the judge’s scores to select the top 15 competitors.
- If there is a tie between two or more athletes fighting to enter the top 15, the tied athletes will be brought back onstage, and the judges will perform a reassessment of the four mandatory poses to break the tie.
- Only the top 15 competitors will advance to Semifinals (Round 1).
Prejudging: Presentation of Round 1 (Comparisons in Mandatory Poses)
Round 1 may not be held if there are 6 or less competitors in a category. Decision will be made by the Chief Judge and will be announced after the Official Athlete Registration.
A.6- Round 1 will proceed as follows:
- All 15 semifinalists will be called onstage as a group in a single line and in numerical order. The entire line-up is brought onstage, in numerical order and in a single line. If time permits, each semifinalist will be introduced by number, name, and State. Decision will be made by the Chief Judge, who will inform the Master of Ceremony or the Announcer.
- The line-up will be divided into two equal-size groups and will be positioned onstage ,so that one group is to the left of the stage; the other group is to the right of the stage. The center portion of the stage will be left open for comparison purposes.
- In numerical order, and in groups of no more than eight competitors at a time, each group will be directed to center-stage area to perform the following initial four Mandatory Poses:
- Front double biceps
- Side chest
- Back double biceps
- Abdominal and thighs
This initial grouping of competitors and performance of the four Mandatory Poses is intended to assist the judges in determining which competitors will take part in the comparisons of the seven Mandatory Poses. Detailed description of the Men’s Bodybuilding Mandatory Poses is provided in Appendix 1 to this Section.
- All judges submit their individual propositions for the first comparison of the top five athletes to the IFBB Chief Judge. Based on them, the Chief Judge will form the first comparison. The number of athletes to be compared will be determined by the Chief Judge but no less than three and no more than eight competitors will be compared at any one time. Then the judges may be asked to submit individual propositions for the second comparison of the next five athletes, included competitors placing in the middle of the group. The IBBFF Chief Judge will form the second and the next comparisons till all competitors will be compared at least once. The total number of comparisons will be decided by the IBBFF Chief Judge.
- All comparisons will be carried out center-stage.
- In Round 1 individual comparisons,formulated by the IBBFF Chief Judge, competitors are directed to perform the following seven Mandatory Poses:
- Front double biceps
- Front lat spread
- Side chest
- Back double biceps
- Back lat spread
- Side triceps
- Abdominals and thighs
- Upon completion of the last comparison, all competitors will return to a single line- up, in numerical order, before exiting the stage.
Prejudging: Scoring of Round 1
Scoring of Round 1:
The scoring for Round 1 will proceed as follows:
- Using Form 3, entitled “Judge’s Individual Placings (Prejudging)”, each judge will awardeach competitor an individual placing from 1 to 15, ensuring that no two or more competitors receive the same placing. The judges may use Form 4, entitled “Judge’s Personal Notes” to record their assessment about each competitor.
- The statisticians will collect Form 3 from the judges and will then transcribe each judge’s placings onto Form 5, entitled “Score Sheet (Statisticians)”. They will then discard two highest and two lowest scores (if nine judges) or one highest and one lowest (if less than nine judges) for each competitor, and will add up the remaining scores to produce a “Round 1 Subscore” and a “Round 1 Place”. The competitor with the lowest subscore is awarded 1st place while the competitor with the highest subscore is awarded 15th place.
- Should a tie occur in the “Round 1 Subscore”, the tie will be broken using the “Relative Placement” method.
Note: The Relative Placement Method procedure:
Each individual judge’s scores for the tied athletes will be compared on a column-by column basis with a dot being placed on top of the number for the athlete with the lower placing. All nine regular panel judge’s scores (except alternative judges) will be included in the tie breaking calculations. The number of dots will be tallied for each of the tied athletes. The athlete with the greater number of dots will be declared the winner of the tie and will then receive the better placing.
Semifinals (Round 1) will immediately follow the Elimination Round. Only the top 15 athletes may compete in Semifinals. Semifinals round(s) may not be held if there are 6 or less competitors in a category. Decision will be made by the Chief Judge and will be announced after the Official Athlete Registration. Using Form 3, entitled “Judge’s Individual Placings (Prejudging)”, each judge will award each competitor an individual placing from 1 to 15, ensuring that no two or more competitors receive the same placing. The judges may use Form 4, entitled “Judge’s Personal Notes” to record their assessment about each competitor. The scores for the Semifinals will be used to place the top 15 competitors from 1st place to 15th place.
- The scores for the Prejudging will be used to place the top 15 competitors from 1st place to 15th place. The top 6 competitors from the Prejudging will advance to the Finals and will start the Finals with zero points.
- The top 6 finalists will be announced just after the Prejudging.
The top 6 competitors from the Semifinals will advance to the Finals.
The top 6 finalists may be announced after the Prejudging and before the Finals. The details of Semifinals for each IBBFF sports discipline are provided in a Section of rules for this discipline.
8- Invitational Events
At the Invitational Events the Semifinals (Round 1) may start even when there are more than 15 competitors in a category, with no Elimination Round before. The number of competitors in comparisons will be decided by the IBBFF Chief Judge.
9- Finals
Only the top 6 athletes from the Semifinals will take part in the Finals. They will start the Finals with zero points. Each judge will award each competitor an individual placing from 1st to 6th, ensuring that no two or more competitors receive the same placing.
The statisticians will transcribe each judge’s placings onto Form 5, entitled “Score Sheet (Statisticians)”, under the Finals section. At the end of the Finals, the “FINAL SCORE” will be produced. Points from the Prejudging (Round 1 and Round 2) are not taken into consideration in the Finals. Each competitor begins the Finals with “zero points”. The competitor with the lowest “FINAL SCORE” is awarded 1st place while the competitor with the highest “FINAL SCORE” is awarded 6th place.
1.5)-– Overall Category and Award
A]= Overall Category is conducted in each IBBFF sport discipline where two or more weight or height categories were held, except Children Fitness. At the Championship or other Nationals Competition, the Overall Category will proceed immediately following the Award Ceremony for the last bodyweight or body height category or age division in a given sport discipline.
B]= The IFBB Chief Judge will direct the competitors through the compulsory poses or quarter turns and comparisons, if necessary.
C]= The judges will use Form 6, entitled “Judge’s Individual Placings (Finals)”, to place each athlete from 1st to last. The judges must place each athlete and not just select the one whom they feel is the Overall Champion.
D]= The statisticians, using Form 5, entitled “Score Sheet (Statisticians)”, will tally the scores and determine the places of all competitors.
E]= The “Overall Champion” will be announced and the IFBB overall trophy will be presented to him or her by the IBBFF President or top IBBFF official at the contest.