What IS Women’s Physique?
The NPC (National Physique Committee) created the Women’s Physique division for badass chicas like me who are into hardcore iron-hoisting, mixed with meticulously disciplined dieting, mixed with ultimately super-indulgent girly-ness (perfect manicure, hair, makeup, etc etc)…Throw in an oompa-loompa super dark orangey fake tan, and BAM you have women’s physique division 😉
Physique is in between the Bikini/Figure and Bodybuilding categories.
Here is bikini:
(image from here)
Here is figure:
(this was from my first figure competition, the INBA Natural Bodybuilding Championships)
Here is physique:
(image from here)
Here is bodybuilding:
(image from here)
So you can see the increase in muscularity, category by category.
By now, you may know about my upcoming debut in women’s physique (IN 15 WEEKS!), so I’m going to give a quick run-down of what Women’s Physique is judged on:
- Symmetry (Left to right, front side with back side, and top to bottom)
- Shape (X- frame! V-taper! Capped delts, wide lats, small waist, majestic quad sweep! I always want a big bootie pretty please)
- Proportion (Reasonable proportions, e.g. no freaky features or disproportions that distract from the look)
- Muscle tone (Yes, lots, but not too much that it belongs in the bodybuilding category. There must be a combination of muscle definition and femininity/grace)
- Poise (Stage presence! Smooth walking, poses)
- Beauty/Flow (Overall look such as hair, makeup, suit, etc.)
Of course, these are subjective criteria in a sense. So what is important is for competitors to feel happy about the package that THEY bring, and not let their self esteem get caught up in what placing the judges assign. Ultimately, the competitor should feel rewarded by the journey of prep itself, and if she places well, that is a bonus.
Even if the competitor was deemed too soft looking at one show, she may show up at another show with a harder look, and the judges may be different and she will receive feedback that she looks too hard. Nuances in preferences may vary by judges, and/or season by season. That’s why it’s important for the competitor to focus on being happy with how she looks, regardless of placing. It takes sooo much dedication and courage just to step on stage, props to girls who even get up there!!!
Just a little info on NPC’s Women’s Physique Division. Hope you learned something! See what I’m jumping into!
Love and lunges,
Kristina
MAY