Fitness and figure competition: Difference between revisions
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The first women's Figure competition was the [[National Physique Committee|NPC]] ([[National Physique Committee -- the major sanctioning body for would-be professional bodybuilders and organized amateur bodybuilding]]) Figure Nationals held in 2001 at [[Borough of Manhattan Community College]]'s Performing Arts Center, in New York City's [[Tribeca]] section.<ref name="2001 NPC Nationals Figure">{{cite journal|title=2001 NPC Nationals Figure|journal=NPC News Magazine|date=March–April 2002|volume=16, number 2|issue=85|url=http://www.getbig.com/magazine/npcnews/npc-0204.htm|accessdate=22 August 2011|publisher=npcnewsonline.com}}</ref> It was a qualifier and precursor to the 2003 [[International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness|IFBB]] [[Figure Olympia]], held in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Competitor History of the Figure Olympia|url=http://www.ifbbpro.com/history-of-the-mr-olympia/competitor-history-of-the-figure-olympia/|publisher=IFBB Professional League|accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref> The [[Fitness Universe]] organization launched their own Figure division in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Figure Introduction, Figure Universe|url=http://fitnessuniverse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=68|publisher=Fitness Universe, Inc|accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref> |
The first women's Figure competition was the [[National Physique Committee|NPC]] ([[National Physique Committee -- the major sanctioning body for would-be professional bodybuilders and organized amateur bodybuilding]]) Figure Nationals held in 2001 at [[Borough of Manhattan Community College]]'s Performing Arts Center, in New York City's [[Tribeca]] section.<ref name="2001 NPC Nationals Figure">{{cite journal|title=2001 NPC Nationals Figure|journal=NPC News Magazine|date=March–April 2002|volume=16, number 2|issue=85|url=http://www.getbig.com/magazine/npcnews/npc-0204.htm|accessdate=22 August 2011|publisher=npcnewsonline.com}}</ref> It was a qualifier and precursor to the 2003 [[International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness|IFBB]] [[Figure Olympia]], held in [[Las Vegas, Nevada]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Competitor History of the Figure Olympia|url=http://www.ifbbpro.com/history-of-the-mr-olympia/competitor-history-of-the-figure-olympia/|publisher=IFBB Professional League|accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref> The [[Fitness Universe]] organization launched their own Figure division in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|title=Figure Introduction, Figure Universe|url=http://fitnessuniverse.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=57&Itemid=68|publisher=Fitness Universe, Inc|accessdate=22 August 2011}}</ref> |
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==Categories== |
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==Different Types of Female Body Competitions== |
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===Fitness competition=== |
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A typical Fitness competition consists of a [[swimsuit]] round and a routine round. In the swimsuit round, the competitors wear two-piece swimsuits and high-heeled shoes, presenting their physiques with a series of quarter- or half-turns toward the judges and audience. Physique guidelines for fitness competitions typically suggest a small amount of muscular mass; clear separations between muscle groups (but, no visible [[Striated muscle|striations]]); and, leanness. The swimsuit must cover at least fifty percent of the [[gluteus maximus muscle]]; no thongs or [[G-strings]] are allowed. The routine round requires a physically active stage performance; most competitors attempt [[Aerobic exercise|aerobic]], [[dance]], and/or [[gymnastic]] routines. |
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You've finished your final half gallon of rocky road ice cream, and you've decided to hit the gym hard and get in the best shape of your life. Sure, you may simply want to look great in a bikini, but what better way to show off all of your hard work than to let your guard down and enter a body competition? |
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Just like your dessert, the road to competing in even an amatuer contest is going to be rocky, but you can do it and we're here to help! |
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Fitness contests sanctioned by the [[International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness]] (IFBB) are the [[Fitness Olympia]] and the [[Fitness International]]. Fitness contests sanctioned by [[Wally Boyko Productions]] are the National Fitness Sanctioning Body (NFSB) [[Ms. Fitness|Ms. Fitness USA]] and the International Fitness Sanctioning Body (IFSB) [[Ms. Fitness|Ms. Fitness World]]. Fitness contests sanctioned by the [[Fitness Universe]] organization are the Fitness America Pageant and the Fitness Universe Pageant. |
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Before you get started, you'll need to figure out what type of competition you'll be training for. There are five major types: figure, bikini, bodybuilding, physique and fitness. |
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===Figure competition=== |
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Bodybuilding competitions |
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Figure competition is a newer sub-category of Fitness contests. Figure shows exclude the routine round common to Fitness shows. The competitors are judged solely on muscular [[symmetry]] and definition; as in Fitness shows, muscle size is downplayed. Figure competitions appeal most to women who want to compete in a body competition, but wish to avoid Fitness shows' additional athletic and creative demands (the routine round), or [[bodybuilding]]'s demands for heavy muscle mass. |
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A typical figure competition includes two rounds, though this varies by organization. In the symmetry round, the competitors appear on stage in high-heeled shoes and a one-piece swimsuit in a side-by-side line that faces the judges. They execute a series of quarter-turns to the right, allowing the judges to view and compare them from all sides for symmetry, presentation, and other aesthetic qualities such as skin tone, hair, make-up, and stylishness of clothing. In the next round (the group comparisons), competitors return in high heels and a two-piece bathing suit, executing a series of quarter-turns. At this stage, they are judged more critically against the others for conditioning, leanness, and how "feminine" and "athletic" (as opposed to brawny) their muscularity is. Included in either of these rounds, or perhaps just the evening show, the competitors come out individually on stage for a model walk where they are judged on presentation, gracefulness, confidence, poise, and professionalism. <ref>[http://npcnewsonline.com/npc-figure-division-rules/ NPC Figure Competition Rules] </ref><ref>[http://www.ifbbprofessionalleague.com/IFBBProRules.pdf [[International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness|IFBB]] Competition Rules]</ref> |
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This is probably the competition you're most familiar with. Bodybuilding certainly isn't for every woman, but it's extremely popular. Women in these contests are judged on their muscularity, definition and leanness. As with all body competitions, muscular and physical symmetry is one of the most determining features a judge will look for. |
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Figure contests sanctioned by the [[International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness]] (IFBB) are the [[Figure Olympia]] and the [[Figure International]]. Figure contests sanctioned by the [[Fitness Universe]] organization is the Figure Universe Pageant. |
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It's important that these women have toned essentially every visible muscle in their body, and while extremely intensive [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FotCGytfEc workout routines] is key, strict dieting is most imperative if these competitors want to walk away with the gold. |
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===Bikini competition=== |
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Female bodybuilders can be described as "ripped" and "chiseled," which isn't necessarily true for competitors in other formats. |
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Bikini competition was created as a category with much less emphasis on muscularity to accommodate even more women into the world of physique competitions and IFBB recognised bikini competition as an independent competition category on 7 November 2010. Rapidly growing, bikini category looks for lean and firm physique and "competitors are scored on proportion, symmetry, balance, shape and [[skin tone]]".<ref name="kotel"/> The first [[Bikini Olympia]] was introduced in 2010. |
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Bikini competitions |
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Today, bikini competitions are growing faster in popularity than any other format. While bodybuilders are typically blessed with the ability to bulk up more than the average person, bikini competitors have a look that's attainable for a wider range of women. |
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In essence, judges look for the girl who can rock a two-piece swimsuit better than anyone else on stage. These women typically aren't very muscular, and the winners aren't necessarily the skinniest competitors. As a matter of fact, it's important to have a bit of body fat so muscles aren't too defined. |
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Figure competitions |
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Figure competitions fall somewhere in between bikini and bodybuilding. It's important that these women are muscular, but not the way that bodybuilders are. Judges look for a bit of separation between the muscles, but there can be no visible striations. In other words, muscle tone is valued much more than muscle size. |
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It's crucial that women aren't too skinny, and skin tone is key in these contests as well. |
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Physique competitions |
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The National Physique Committee (NPC) explains on its website that physique competitions are "for women who enjoy [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FotCGytfEc weight training], competing {and} contest preparation." It's a bit different than bodybuilding and figure posing, as the NPC says these women shouldn't be vascular, massive, grainy, thick, ripped or dense. |
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The judges look for shape, proportion and muscle tone, but also poise, femininity and beauty flow, which aren't necessarily as important in the other formats. |
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Fitness competitions |
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Fitness competitions are probably the most unique of the bunch. These call for women to perform a short routine that entails more than just posing. Instead, these performances involve dancing, gymnastics or other physical activity that demonstrates the athleticism and stage presence of the participants. |
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The presentation and tempo of the performance, in addition to the competitor's flexibility, are looked at closely by the judges in fitness competitions. |
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Whether you're showing off your cut muscles or wowing crowds with a pole routine, you need to look good if you want to win. Each format has very specific clothing and accessory requirements, and at Fitness Pro Direct, we have everything you need, no matter what competition you're participating in. |
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We have tons of posing suits, competition jewelry, figure shoes, tanning products and other items, but if we don't have what you need, let us know, and we'll get it for you! |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
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Revision as of 03:35, 28 November 2014
Fitness and Figure competition is a class of physique-exhibition events for women. While bearing a close resemblance to female bodybuilding, its emphasis is on muscle definition, not size. In other words, fitness competition is a sport which fuses female bodybuilding and gymnastics into one. The class was originally introduced when female bodybuilding's popularity began to noticeably decline, in terms of both fanbase and number of participants.[1]
Overview
Fitness and Figure are two distinct forms of competition, not just one. In a Fitness contest (the older of the two disciplines), female competitors showcase their physiques (which are noticeably less massive than bodybuilders') while performing a demanding, time-limited, aerobic/dance routine. In a Figure contest, the most important attributes are a curvaceous-yet-trim body, and facial beauty; however, the physique guidelines are similar to a Fitness pageant's, and many contestants move back and forth between the two disciplines. The Figure division emerged on the bodybuilding scene when the numbers for Fitness pageant competitions started to dwindle.[2] Typically, fitness & figure competitions are held as part of the larger-drawing bodybuilding contests.
History
The first women's Fitness competition was produced by Wally Boyko in 1985 at the National Fitness trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada; it included a swimsuit round, an athletic routine, and an evening gown segment. Louis Zwick, then the producer of American Muscle Magazine (a magazine-format, bodybuilding TV show on ESPN), produced and aired a segment on the pageant. The number of contests was proliferating, and Zwick himself launched Fitness America (now Fitness Universe) in 1989 to capitalize on the trend.[3] The International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness soon followed suit, holding its own, sanctioned fitness pageant -- Fitness Olympia -- in 1995.[4]
The first women's Figure competition was the NPC (National Physique Committee -- the major sanctioning body for would-be professional bodybuilders and organized amateur bodybuilding) Figure Nationals held in 2001 at Borough of Manhattan Community College's Performing Arts Center, in New York City's Tribeca section.[5] It was a qualifier and precursor to the 2003 IFBB Figure Olympia, held in Las Vegas, Nevada.[6] The Fitness Universe organization launched their own Figure division in 2005.[7]
Categories
Fitness competition
A typical Fitness competition consists of a swimsuit round and a routine round. In the swimsuit round, the competitors wear two-piece swimsuits and high-heeled shoes, presenting their physiques with a series of quarter- or half-turns toward the judges and audience. Physique guidelines for fitness competitions typically suggest a small amount of muscular mass; clear separations between muscle groups (but, no visible striations); and, leanness. The swimsuit must cover at least fifty percent of the gluteus maximus muscle; no thongs or G-strings are allowed. The routine round requires a physically active stage performance; most competitors attempt aerobic, dance, and/or gymnastic routines.
Fitness contests sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) are the Fitness Olympia and the Fitness International. Fitness contests sanctioned by Wally Boyko Productions are the National Fitness Sanctioning Body (NFSB) Ms. Fitness USA and the International Fitness Sanctioning Body (IFSB) Ms. Fitness World. Fitness contests sanctioned by the Fitness Universe organization are the Fitness America Pageant and the Fitness Universe Pageant.
Figure competition
Figure competition is a newer sub-category of Fitness contests. Figure shows exclude the routine round common to Fitness shows. The competitors are judged solely on muscular symmetry and definition; as in Fitness shows, muscle size is downplayed. Figure competitions appeal most to women who want to compete in a body competition, but wish to avoid Fitness shows' additional athletic and creative demands (the routine round), or bodybuilding's demands for heavy muscle mass.
A typical figure competition includes two rounds, though this varies by organization. In the symmetry round, the competitors appear on stage in high-heeled shoes and a one-piece swimsuit in a side-by-side line that faces the judges. They execute a series of quarter-turns to the right, allowing the judges to view and compare them from all sides for symmetry, presentation, and other aesthetic qualities such as skin tone, hair, make-up, and stylishness of clothing. In the next round (the group comparisons), competitors return in high heels and a two-piece bathing suit, executing a series of quarter-turns. At this stage, they are judged more critically against the others for conditioning, leanness, and how "feminine" and "athletic" (as opposed to brawny) their muscularity is. Included in either of these rounds, or perhaps just the evening show, the competitors come out individually on stage for a model walk where they are judged on presentation, gracefulness, confidence, poise, and professionalism. [8][9]
Figure contests sanctioned by the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) are the Figure Olympia and the Figure International. Figure contests sanctioned by the Fitness Universe organization is the Figure Universe Pageant.
Bikini competition
Bikini competition was created as a category with much less emphasis on muscularity to accommodate even more women into the world of physique competitions and IFBB recognised bikini competition as an independent competition category on 7 November 2010. Rapidly growing, bikini category looks for lean and firm physique and "competitors are scored on proportion, symmetry, balance, shape and skin tone".[1] The first Bikini Olympia was introduced in 2010.
See also
References
- ^ a b Kotel, Amanda (1 October 2012). "What's the Deal with Bikini Contests?". Muscle & Body. Retrieved 23 August 2013.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Stein, Jeanine (11 Jun 2006). "Figure contests focus on form Women prefer feminine appearance". Gazette. Los Angeles Times: 5D. ProQuest Document ID: 1057898431.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Billard, Mary (May–June 1999). "Power Pageant". Women's Sports & Fitness. 2 (4): 146–151. ISSN 1099-6079.
{{cite journal}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help);|format=requires|url=(help) - ^ "Competitor History of the Fitness Olympia". IFBB Professional League. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
- ^ "2001 NPC Nationals Figure". NPC News Magazine. 16, number 2 (85). npcnewsonline.com. March–April 2002. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
- ^ "Competitor History of the Figure Olympia". IFBB Professional League. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
- ^ "Figure Introduction, Figure Universe". Fitness Universe, Inc. Retrieved 22 August 2011.
- ^ NPC Figure Competition Rules
- ^ IFBB Competition Rules