Men's Physique
Discipline Explained
In 2012 the Men’s Physique division was officially launched as a new IFBB sport discipline.
It proves to be a very popular category. They perform two rounds of quarter turns, wearing board shorts of their choice. The final round (Round 2) begins with a short individual onstage presentation of each competitor.
It is aimed at men who do weight training, keep fit and eat a healthy balanced diet, but who prefer to develop a less muscular, yet athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique.
They are fit looking contestants who display proper shape and symmetry, combined with some muscularity and good overall condition. The athletes should have stage presence and poise and their personality and ability to present themselves onstage with confidence, should be visible.
Posing Suits
Competitors will wear an opaque, loose-fitting board shorts which are clean and decent. The colour and fabric of the shorts will be left to the competitor’s discretion. Shorts may have geometric patterns and motives, but no inscriptions and cambered ornamentation.
2. The shorts will cover the whole upper leg, down the upper point of the knee (patella). The use of padding anywhere in the trunks is prohibited.
3. No tight, Lycra style shorts are allowed.
4. Personal sponsors logos are not permitted on the shorts; however a manufacturer’s logo such is accepted.
5. Except for a wedding ring, competitors will not wear footwear, glasses, watches, earrings, wigs, jewellery, 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.
6. 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 coloring 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.
7. The excessive application of oil on the body is strictly prohibited; however, body oils and moisturizers may be used in moderation.
Posing Music
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
Under 5’7”
• Over 5”7” up to and including 5’10”
• Over 5’10”
There is one age category offered in Men's Physique
Masters: 40+
Presentation Posing & Finals
Presentation Posing
Competitor walk to center stage in groups to perform quarter turns
• Proceed to the side of the stage
• Large groups will be split into two groups on either side of the stage
• Upon completion of all quarter turns comparisons begin
• Competitors are called to center stage in no less than groups of three for comparisons
• Quarter turns are performed
• Upon completion of quarter turns athletes leave stage
Finals Posing
Overall Judging
1. Muscularity and body condition
The judge should first assess the overall male athletic appearance of the physique. This assessment should begin at the head and extend downwards, taking the whole physique into account. The assessment, beginning with the general impression of the physique, should take into consideration the condition of the skin and skin tone and also the hair. Judges will be looking for fit contestants who display proper shape and body proportions, combined with balanced muscularity and overall condition.
Stage Presence and Personality
Judges are looking for the contestant with the best stage presence and poise, who can successfully convey his personality to the audience and the athlete’s ability to present himself onstage with confidence.
Judging Criteria
Front Position
Erect, tense stance, head and eyes facing the same direction as the body, one hand resting on the hip, with four fingers at the front of the body, and one leg slightly moved to the side. Second hand hanging down along the body, slightly out of to the side, elbow slightly bent, with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers. Knees unbent, abdominal and latissimus dorsi muscles slightly contracted, head up.
Competitors who fail to adopt the proper stance will receive one warning after which points will be deducted from their score.
Quarter Turn Right
Competitors will perform the first quarter turn to the right. They will stand left side to the judges, with upper body slightly turned toward the judges and face looking at the judges. Left hand resting on the left hip, right arm hold down and slightly to the front from the centerline of the body, elbow slightly bent, with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers. Left leg (nearest the judges) slightly bent in the knee, resting flat on the floor. Right leg (farthest to the judges) bent in the knee, with foot moved back and resting on the toes.
Quarter Turn Back
Erect, tense stance, head and eyes facing the same direction as the body, wone hand resting on the hip, with four fingers at the front of the body, second hand hanging down along the body, slightly out of to the side, elbow slightly bent, with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers and one leg slightly moved back and to the side, resting on the toes. Latissimus dorsi muscles slightly contracted, head up.
Quarter Turn Front
Competitors will perform the next quarter turn to the right. They will stand right side to the judges, with upper body slightly turned toward the judges and face looking at the judges. Right hand resting on the right hip, left arm hold down and slightly to the front from the centerline of the body, elbow slightly bent, with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers. Right leg (nearest the judges) slightly bent in the knee, resting flat on the floor. Left leg (farthest to the judges) bent in the knee, with foot moved back and resting on the toes.
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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