The Divisions of the NPC: Women's Bodybuilding for Dummies

When I say I’m in bodybuilding/fitness/bikini competing it’s pretty common that people have no idea what the hell I actually do.  If I use the first term, bodybuilding, people seem to jump to the conclusion that I am frighteningly yoked out (clearly not true).  Opting for fitness, people are given a vague idea of my lifestyle that could, in all actuality, mean anything.  And if I say bikini competing it’s assumed that I am just like every other 20-something skank who was born skinny and threw on a bikini to win a $100 bar tab.

Clearly none of this is accurate.

In effort to make this clearer, I’m going to outline the various women’s divisions of the NPC.  Now keep in mind that the NPC (or National Physique Committee) is only one of many bodybuilding federations.  Most federations however follow a format similar to that of the NPC – the largest.

I have listed the division from least to most muscular.

Boobs, boobs, boobs. CREDIT.

Bikini
Bikini, the division I currently compete in, requires the least muscularity.  But this doesn’t mean any skinny bitch can get up on stage and rock shit out.  While bikini competitors are less muscular than the other divisions, they are still some hard-bodied ladies.  Generally I tell people to think of a more traditional fitness model look when imagining the bikini division.

In this division bikinis can be “off the rack,” according to the rules however this is not the case.  Bikinis worn are small, scrunch-butt and bejeweled to shit.  They’ll also cost you at least $150 though most cost far more.  Most are custom fit – to be as small as possible while still within the rules – and careful designed to be the perfect color.

In addition to being less muscular and wearing less traditional posing bikinis, bikini competitors also have much less rigid, front and back posing that is more natural and meant to highlight the body as a whole rather than the definition of individual muscle groups.  Here the whole package matters somewhat more (though it is always a consideration) than other divisions as judging is dependent on overall appearance as well as muscular balance and shape.

Oh and you see lots of fake tits in this division.  Sigh.

Shoulders.  Enough said.  CREDIT.

Figure
Next up is the figure division.  A very popular division, figure competitors feature more muscularity that is highlighted by more rigid and defined posing.  Figuring poses are performed as quarter turns meaning that front, back, left and right sides are all viewed and judged for symmetry, balance and tone separately.

Bikinis in the figure division are more traditional bodybuilding style.  Basically this means high V-shaped bikinis with straps that cross and connect to the bottoms in the rear of the suit.  While figure bikinis tend to have more “bling” (those this is starting to change) than those worn in the bikini division they are still ugly as shit; no amount of crystal can hide the ugly cut.  But while the cut may be truly awful, the bikinis are meant to highlight the muscles.  Either way I still think they’re awful.

Judging criteria for figure division still relies partially on overall appearance – including hair and makeup – but more emphasis is placed on a “small degree of muscularity with separation, no visible striations” as well as “overall muscle tone with shapely lines, overall firmness and not excessively lean.”  That being said, to the average person on the street a figure girl is going to look pretty damn ripped.

And yup, you’ll all see fake boobies in the figure division.  Double sigh.

Coordination and muscles required. CREDIT.

Fitness
As far as body type is concerned fitness is very similar to the figure division.  What makes it different and possibly the most awesome division is that fitness requires a truly amazing, two minute routine round that is meant to highlight strength, flexibility, cardiovascular (basically the tempo of the routine) and the overall package which includes such considerations as creativity, stage presence and costume.  Think a very, very athletic dance with crazy types of pushups you’ve never thought of.

In addition to the figure type bikini for the first round of judging, done quarter turn style, competitors also require a costume for their fitness routine.  Generally these will be very thematic to match music and highlight creativity.

If I didn’t totally suck at anything involving jazz hands, the splits and overall coordination this is totally the division I’d enter.

And yeah, more boobs.

Note the open hands...and huge muscles. CREDIT.

Physique
Women’s physique is the newest addition to the line-up in the NPC.  Because it is only a year old, it’s still somewhat vague as to what exactly judges are looking for.  According to the NPC, women physique was created to “give a platform for women who enjoy weight training, competing, contest preparation [and] competitors should display a toned, athletic physique showcasing femininity, muscle tone, beauty/flow of physique.”

Yeah, that’s pretty vague to me too.  The way it’s supposed to be is that physique competitors maintain the same overall aesthetics as figure girls with a little more muscularity.  So what judges aren’t looking for is someone “ripped, shredded, vascular, grainy, yadda, yadda, random shit.”

What separates physique from figure and makes it more like bodybuilding is the fact that women will not where heels while competing, but rather go barefoot.  Additionally, the posing is more structured and reminiscent of a bodybuilder – front and back double biceps, side triceps with extended leg – and also includes a 90 second posing round.  The biggest difference between this and bodybuilding is that all poses must be done open-hand.

It’s confusing as shit.

Hand closed.  That's all you noticed I'd sure. CREDIT.

Bodybuilding
The final and most muscular category for women is bodybuilding.  This division is perhaps what people stereotypically imagine when I say “female bodybuilder.”  While for many the physique of a female bodybuilder might be considered extreme, I am totally inspired by their dedication; I know how hard I quick my ass so I can only imagine the crap they do.

Unlike the previous divisions, bodybuilding is not separated by height but rather by weight to ensure comparisons of equivalent physiques.  Judging criteria is based on the “total package” which is considered a balance of size, symmetry and muscularity.  Competitors are judged, like physique, in a round of mandatory, rigid poses as well as a 90 second final posing round.

Here the suits are required to be plain and unadorned for judging and competitors are barefoot.  Fancier suits are permitted during the finals only.

Here you might see fake tats and you might not.  Frankly, fake boobs on a body that ripped look weird as shit if you ask me.  Like tanned and hastily Crazy glued grapefruit.

Hopefully now you’ll have a little more insight to exactly what the hell I do up there on stage.  Or maybe I confused you more.  Either way you’re welcome.