Boys...

I wrote a post last year following an International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB) posing work shop that I went along to. In that post, I talked a lot about the different divisions for the girls. A few weekends ago, I went along to another work shop in preparation for the IFBB bikini competition I am entering at the end of March.

The work shop has inspired me to write a post about the boy's divisions so here it is...

Here are the boys at Sydney City Gym showing us what they learnt at the posing workshop ::

We have all heard of Mr Olympia right? The title made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr Olympia is the title awarded to the winner of the professional men's bodybuilding contest at Joe Weider's Olympia Weekend - an international body building competition that is held annually by the IFBB.

For those of you that haven't seen a Mr Olympia here is Jay Cutler & Ronnie Coleman posing down ... WOW! I saw Jay guest pose at a competition about five years ago and it was hard to believe he was actually real! How could one man be so big, he was almost machine like!

So the IFBB Australasian titles are on on the weekend of 23th and 24th of March at the Cronulla Leagues Club. The men's competitions are split in to three divisions; Bodybuilding, Classic & Physique.

Men's Bodybuilding

The Men's Bodybuilding is then divided in to nine different divisions; teenage, juniors, masters over 40 years, novice, under 70kgs, under 80kgs, under 90kgs, under 100kgs and over 100kgs.

There are seven compulsory poses that each competitor must display whilst on stage ::

1. Front double bicep

2. Front lateral spread

3. Side chest

4. Back double bicep

5. Back lateral spread

6. Side tricep

7. Abdominals & thighs

The judges first look at the muscle groups being displayed and will then look at the whole physique from head to toe. Each competitor is judged on muscular bulk, balanced development, muscular density and definition.

Men's Classic

The Men's Classic Bodybuilding is a relatively new division and has been introduced to allow those who prefer to develop a less muscular yet athletic and aesthetically pleasing physique to compete. Competitors achieve a muscular, athletic look and are assessed throughout three rounds;

Round 1. Five compulsory poses; front double bicep, front lateral spread, side chest, back double bicep, abdominal and thighs
Round 2. Sixty second posing routine
Round 3. Four quarter turns

Within the Classic division there are certain limitations regarding the allowed muscle mass and competitors are broken up in to three height divisions;

* Up to 170cm - Maximum bodyweight (kg) = body height (cm) - 100+2
* Over 170cm up to 178cm - Maximum bodyweight (kg) = body height (cm) - 100+4
* Over 178cm - Maximum bodyweight (kg) = body height (cm) - 100+6

men's classic

Men's Physique

This division is for men who prefer to develop less muscle but still look athletic and aesthetically pleasing. Think a very fit looking guy! This division is split in to two height categories;

Category 1. Up to and including 178cm
Category 2. Over 178cm

There are two rounds both made up of half turns and the boys wear board shorts, no top and bare feet.  The boys come out together and do their half turns. They are then split in to two groups and each group takes turns doing their half turns.

The judges first assess the overall athletic appearance of the physique. The boys are also judged on their skin and skin tone, hair and facial features as well as proper shape and symmetry combined with muscularity and overall condition. They do get marked down on extreme muscularity. Judges look for the contestant with the best stage presence and poise, who can convey his personality, with confidence, to the audience.

The judges then award each competitor with their placing and the top six go through to round 2.

Round 2 is judged in much the same way as Round 1 but each contestant does their half turns individually at the front of the stage.

men's physique

The boys are awesome and what bodies! The thing I like about having the different divisions is there is something for everyone to enjoy. That is what is so good about the IFBB as a federation. They seem to be constantly evolving to ensure that there are divisions that cater to what the competitors want! If you haven't been to a competition I can't recommend going more highly. They are fun and who wouldn't want to look at fit looking men and women all day!?

I will be there competing in the Bodyshape Bikini Novice so if you are there please come and say hi! :)