Figure



Competition Height Categories

Tier 1

Figure Short: Up to and including 5'4"

Figure Medium: Over 5'4" and up to and including 5'6"

Figure Tall: Over 5'6"

Tier 2

Figure Short: Up to and including 5'2"

Figure Medium: Over 5'2" and up to and including 5'4"

Figure Medium Tall: Over 5'4" and up to and including 5'6"

Figure Tall: Over 5'6"

Masters' Figure (35+ and 45+)

Masters' classes will each be comprised of one height class only.

Additional height classes may be introduced in future years.


COMPETITION CLASSES & ELIGIBILITY

Tier 1
  • Entry Level
  • First time competitors begin at Tier 1.
  • From each event, the top 5 in each class are eligible for participation in the Donna and Brian Logue Provincial Championships (Alberta Provincials).
  • Overall and First place finishers have lifetime bye to the Alberta Provincials and may not compete again at the Divisional (regional) level
  • Second and Third place finishers have a 2-contest bye (of which they have one opportunity to compete)
  • Fourth and Fifth place finishers must compete that year
  • Sixth place finishers and lower must return to Tier 1.
Tier 2
  • Those who have previously placed top 5 in FITNESS begin at Tier 2.
  • Those who have previously placed top 5 in BODYBUILDING begin at Tier 2.
  • Top 5 Provincial Figure competitors qualify for the Nationals.
    • First and Second place finishers for 2011 only, qualify for the 2011 North American's
    • Overall Winner has a lifetime bye to Nationals and may not compete again at the Provincials
    • First place finishers have a 3 contest Bye to Nationals, of which they can compete twice
    • Second and Third place finishers have a 2-contest Bye to Nationals of which they have one opportunity to compete
    • Fourth and Fifth place finishers have a 1-contest Bye to Nationals, and must compete that year
  • In order to compete at the CNPC (National level) show, the athlete must have qualified with a top ten finish in Tier 2 Figure or Bikini, or Provincial Fitness. This applies to all individuals who have competed and qualified, as above, from 2006 to 2011.
NB: First, Second and Third Place finishers deciding to return to Provincials risk their National byes.

Master's Figure (35+ and 45+)
  • Top 5 Master Figure competitors may go to Tier 2 at the Provincial Figure Open Class.
  • 6th and lower may compete at Tier 1 at the Provincials.
  • Top 1 Master Figure has a lifetime bye to Canadian Master Class (may only compete in Master category, not open).
  • 2nd and 3rd Masters' winners have a 2 show bye with choice of competing at one National show.
  • 4th and 5th Masters' winners have a 1 contest bye, and must compete in the next available National event.
  • Only top 5 placing athletes from Tier 2 qualify for Canadian National Figure Championships.

IFBB PRO CARD OPPORTUNITIES

  • Canadian National Fitness & Figure: Overall open winner and Overall Masters' winner receives a Pro card
  • Canadian Natural Physique Championships: Overall open winner receives a Pro card
  • North American Physique Championships: Overall Figure, Overall Figure over 35, Additional Figure over 35 receive Pro cards

WEIGH-INS / HEIGHT-INS (Friday evening before the show)

  • Weigh-ins: Double check your entry form for information concerning the location and time of weigh-ins. It is your responsibility to be on time!!
  • You must bring your suits you plan to compete in to height ins, as the head judge will be looking at the cut of all suits to determine suitability. If you plan to wear a different suit during any phase of the competition, it must be of the same cut or you will need the head judge to inspect the suit before you can be allowed to wear it on stage.
  • Numbers: Your numbered tag should be placed on your left hip. Place it on the flat plane of your hip to prevent it from twisting or flipping around. This way the judges should be able to see it clearly.
  • Bring your food as height ins can be a lengthy process.

Competition Rounds

Rounds of Competition

Pre-judging and Finals

  1. Each athlete will be called on stage individually. She will walk to the front of the stage and do 2-3 poses of her choice, each lasting no more than 3 seconds.
  2. She will then acknowledge the judges (wave, nod, knee bend) and move to the angled lines on the sides of the stage (as directed by stage marshal).
  3. At the end of the presentations, groups of five competitors at a time, will be directed to center-stage area to perform the following four quarter turns for comparison.
    • Quarter Turn Right
    • Quarter Turn Back
    • Quarter Turn Right
    • Quarter Turn Front

Judging Criteria

Physique Assessment will include:
  • overall athletic appearance
  • grooming (hair and facial beauty)
  • overall athletic development of the muscle
  • proportion & symmetry
  • condition of the skin & skin tone
  • presentation (poise, posture, confidence)
Judges will first assess the overall athletic appearance of the physique. The assessment beginning with a general impression of the physique will take into consideration the hair, facial beauty, overall athletic development of the muscle, presentation of a balanced, symmetrically developed physique, condition of the skin, the skin tone and the athlete's ability to present herself with confidence, poise and grace.

The physique will be assessed as to its level of overall muscle tone, achieved through athletic endeavours. The muscle groups should have a round firm appearance with a small amount of body fat. The physique should neither be excessively muscular nor excessively lean and should be free from deep muscle separation and or striations. Physiques that are considered either too muscular or too lean may be marked down.

The assessment will also take into consideration the tightness and tone of the skin. The skin tone should be smooth and healthy in appearance and without cellulite. The face, hair and makeup should complement the "total package" presented by the athlete.

The assessment of the athlete's physique will include the athlete's entire presentation from the moment she walks on stage until the moment she walks off stage. Emphasis will be placed on a healthy, fit, athletic physique in an attractively presented "total package".

Judging Results

If you wish to approach the judges, please do so after the show is over, or at the conclusion of the evening finals. The judges at the night show are also judging for the various overall awards so make sure your class has finished. You can also contact the head judge or the Alberta Bodybuilding Association for information regarding scores, results, etc.

Sportsmanship

This requires that an athlete conduct himself in a manner which will reflect favorably on the sport of bodybuilding. Any conduct contrary to that effect is discouraged, and depending on the severity of such conduct, can lead to suspension from competition. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:
  1. Making disparaging remarks concerning any ABBA official, judge or fellow athletes in the venue location.
  2. Making disparaging gestures while on stage.
  3. Smashing, breaking or throwing an award, damaging or vandalizing the contest venue.
  4. Any conduct which demeans you, your fellow athletes, judges or officials.
Competition can be a source of great personal triumph. There are no guarantees. The nature of the competition requires "risk taking". Sometimes you may wind up being very disappointed because you did not do as well as you wanted to, or as well as you thought you deserved. Whatever happens, leave the audience with the impression that you are a gracious competitor, that you have dignity and class. The way that you present yourself and take your placement will be remembered long after people remember what place you took.


SUIT SELECTION
  • The bikini will be two-piece in style. It can be the athlete's choice of style and color. It can be an off-the-rack suit.
  • The bikini will cover a minimum of 1/2 of the gluteus maximus. The bottom of the suit must be V-shaped. No thongs are permitted.
  • The hair should be styled.
  • Jewelry may be worn.
  • The ABBA Chief Official, or a delegated representative, will have the right to determine if a competitor's attire meets an acceptable standard of taste and decency.

Shoes
  • Heels must be worn
  • The color and style of the high-heels shall be left to the competitor's discretion.
  • There are no rules stating that shoes with ankle straps cannot be worn however, keep in mind this style of shoe flatters very few women as it makes the leg look cut off and short.