Classic Physique
Discipline Explained
It is a version of bodybuilding for those male athletes who don’t want to develop their muscles to their “extreme” full potentials but prefer lighter “classic” physique.
To create the equal chances to them, the competitors’ bodyweight is limited according to their body height, following the special IFBB formula for each body height category. Currently there is 1 open category.
Since muscle mass is limited, special attention is paid to the overall view of the physique, body proportions and lines, muscle shape and condition (density, bodyfat level, definition and details).
These values are assessed by the judges during Rounds 1 and 2. In Round 2, like in bodybuilding, free posing routines are performed to music of athlete’s choice.
Posing Suits
The posing attire must meet the following guidelines:
(a) Plain opaque in style.
(b) Solid black in color.
(c) Cloth fabric in material (no plastic, rubberized, or similar material).
(d) Matt in texture (no shiny material).
(e) No ornamentation, frills, large logos, lacework edges and/or borders.
(f) The trunks must be at least 15 cm (6”) high on the sides.
The use of padding anywhere in the trunks is prohibited. Implants or fluid injections to change the natural shape of any part or muscle of the body are strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification of the competitor.
- All competitors will wear the posing attire, during both Prejudging and Finals, that was approved by the ABBA Head Judge / ABBA delegate at the Official Weigh ins. Unauthorized use of any other posing attire is strictly prohibited without the prior approval of the ABBA Head Judge and may lead to disqualification from the event.
Posing Music
- Posing music will be used at the Finals
- Posing music must be on a CD, flashdrive or thumbdrive and must be the only music on the CD, flashdrive or thumbdrive.
- Posing music must should be cued to the start of the music.
- Posing music must not contain vulgar lyrics. Competitors using music containing vulgar lyrics will be disqualified.
Sportsmanship
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.
Weight Classes
Classic Physique will be for competitors who want to present more muscular size than is currently acceptable for Men’s Physique, but not as extreme as the current standards for Bodybuilding. Please note that classes are restricted by a weight / height ratio.
Please note that classes and divisions are subject to change depending on show size.
Division “A” (up to and including 5’7”)
• Up to and including 5′ 4″ up to and including 155 lbs
• Over 5′ 4″, up to and including 5′ 5″ up to and including 160 lbs
• Over 5′ 5″, up to and including 5′ 6″ up to and including 165 lbs
• Over 5′ 6″, up to and including 5′ 7″ up to and including 170 lbs
Division “B” (over 5’7” and up to and including 5’10”)
• Over 5′ 7″, up to and including 5′ 8″ up to and including 177 lbs
• Over 5′ 8″, up to and including 5′ 9″ up to and including 185 lbs
• Over 5′ 9″, up to and including 5′ 10″ up to and including 192 lbs
Division “C” (over 5’10”)• Over 5′ 10″, up to and including 5′ 11″ up to and including 200 lbs
• Over 5′ 11″, up to and including 6′ 0″ up to and including 207 lbs
• Over 6′ 0″, up to and including 6′ 1″ up to and including 215 lbs
• Over 6′ 1″, up to and including 6’ 2″ up to and including 225 lbs
• Over 6′ 2″, up to and including 6′ 3″ up to and including 232 lbs
• Over 6′ 3″ up to and including 240 lbs
Presentation Posing & Finals
Presentation Posing
Athletes will line up offstage in numerical order. Competitors will walk out on stage in a line as guided by the stage marshal and line up as directed, depending on the number of competitors on stage.
The Head Judge will then call up the line in groups of approximately five (5) competitors and proceed to request the group do the following four quarter turns for comparison:
Quarter Turn Right, Quarter Turn Back, Quarter Turn Right, Quarter Turn Front.
Judges will have the opportunity to compare competitors against each other in quarter turns.
Mandatory Poses will be performed and include the following poses:
A. Quarter Turn Right
B. Quarter Turn Back
C. Quarter Turn Right
D. Quarter Turn Front
The Head Judge will then request the group do their mandatory poses. Mandatory Poses will be performed and include the following poses:
E. Front Double Biceps
F. Side Chest
G. Back Double Biceps
H. Side Triceps
I. Vacuum Pose
J. Abdominals and Thighs
K. Classic pose of Athlete’s choice in standing front position – no Most Muscular
Once your group is finished posing, you will return to the line. Stay posed.
When the judges are satisfied, the Head Judge will ask you to exit the stage.
Finals Posing
Athletes will line up offstage in numerical order. Each individual is required to do a 60 second posing routine, to their choice of music (profanity, racial / sexual slurs and inappropriate verbiage is NOT allowed. If we find that your music contains any of these things, your music will be stopped and you may be disqualified from the competition).
Your routine should include the following:
• Poses and movements that highlight your best features
• Smooth transitions between movements
• Good musicality
• Additional physical prowess that you have: flexibility, dance, gymnastics…
Once the individual routine is completed, exit the stage and line back up numerically. Athletes will line up offstage in numerical order. Competitors will walk out on stage in a line as guided by the stage marshal and line up as directed, depending on the number of competitors on stage.
The top 5 competitors will be called out to center stage line and may be asked to do mandatory poses. They will then do a pose-down. Awards will then be handed out.
Overall Judging
Judges will be looking for competitors who display muscular size, symmetry, balance and proportion, with an emphasis on definition and condition. The ideal physique will display an aesthetic appearance highlighted by a small waist.
Judging Criteria
Front Double Bicep
Standing face front to the judges, with one leg 40-50 cm forward and to the side, the competitor will raise both arms to shoulder level and bend them at the elbows. The hands should be clenched and turned down so as to cause a contraction of the biceps and forearm muscles, which are the main muscle groups that are to be assessed in this pose. In addition, the competitor should attempt to contract as many other muscles as possible as the judges will be surveying the whole physique, from head to toe.
Side Chest
The competitor may choose either side for this pose, in order to display the “better” arm. He will stand with his left or right side towards the judges and will bend the arm nearest the judges to a right-angle position, with the fist clenched and, with the other hand, will grasp the wrist. The leg nearest the judges will be bent at the knee and will rest on the toes. The competitor will then expand the chest and by upward pressure of the front bent arm and contract the biceps as much as possible. He will also contract the thigh muscles, in particular, the biceps femoris group, and by downward pressure on his toes, will display the contracted calf muscles.
Back Double Bicep
Standing with his back to the judges, the competitor will bend the arms and wrists as in the Front Double Biceps pose, and will place one foot back, resting on the toes. He will then contract the arm muscles as well as the muscles of the shoulders, upper and lower back, thigh and calf muscles.
Side Tricep
The competitor may choose either side for this pose so as to show the “better” arm. He will stand with his left or right side towards the judges and will place both arms behind his back, either linking his fingers or grasping the front arm by the wrist with his rear hand. The leg nearest the judges will be bent at the knee and the foot will rest flat on the floor. The leg farthest to the judges will be bent at the knee and the foot resting on the toes. The competitor will exert pressure against his front arm, thereby causing the triceps muscle to contract. He will also raise the chest and contract the abdominal muscles as well as the thigh and calf muscles.
Vacuum Pose + Abdominal Thigh
The Vacuum pose is a new mandatory pose. Standing face front to the judges, the competitor will place both arms behind the head and will place the feet together. Then he will perform the "Front position, Vacuum Pose" in this way: he must deeply exhale, drawing the abdominals inward (abs in), pulling the belly button to spine, what is called “vacuum”, at the same time flexing the transverse inner muscle, flexing legs, torso and arms also. Abdominals muscles (Rectus abdominis) are not contract in this pose.
Abdominal Thigh: Standing face front to the judges, the competitor will place both arms behind the head and will place one leg forward. He will then contract the abdominal muscles by “crunching” the trunk slightly forward. At the same time, he will contract the thigh muscles of the front leg.
It is your responsibility to become aware of all the rules and regulations surrounding your conduct and requirements of you in your role at any ABBA sanctioned event.
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