Women’s Wellness Competition Categories

The Women’s Wellness competition categories are primarily divided based on height and age.

• Senior Women’s Wellness has four height classes:

  • Class A: Up to and including 158 cm
  • Class B: Up to and including 163 cm
  • Class C: Up to and including 168 cm
  • Class D: Over 168 cm

• Junior Women’s Wellness is divided by age and height:

  • Ages 16 to 20 (inclusive): One open category
  • Ages 21 to 23 (inclusive):
    • Up to 163 cm
    • Over 163 cm

• Master Women’s Wellness has several open categories based on age:

  • Ages 35 to 39 (inclusive): One open category
  • Ages 40 to 44 (inclusive): One open category
  • Ages 45 to 49 (inclusive) and over: One open category
  • Ages 50 and over: One open category

• Competition Organization:

  • Except for World and Continental Championships, a category requires at least 3 athletes to run. If there are fewer than 3 athletes, categories will be combined where possible, but Master categories will not be combined.
  • At World and Continental Championships, a category requires at least 5 athletes to run. If there are fewer than 5 athletes, categories will be combined where possible.

The Women’s Wellness competition is divided into three rounds, each with specific purposes and evaluation criteria:

Prejudging - Elimination Round

• This round is held when there are more than 15 competitors.
• The main content is the quarter turns.
• Competitors are brought on stage in numerical order, divided into two groups to perform the quarter turns.
• The judges assess the overall physique of the competitors, including proportion, symmetry, balance, shape, and skin tone.
• The top 15 competitors advance to the next round.
• Competitors may receive a yellow card for inappropriate behavior on stage, which may result in point deductions.
• The IFBB Chief Judge may adjust the number of athletes qualifying to the Semifinals to 10 or 17 if the number of competitors is between 10 and 17, and hold an elimination round.

Prejudging - Round 1

• This round may be canceled if there are fewer than 7 competitors.
• It includes both quarter turns and comparisons in quarter turns.
• Competitors first perform quarter turns, after which the judges group them for comparison.
• The judges give individual rankings based on the competitors’ performance in this round.
• The top 6 competitors advance to the finals.
• If a competitor receives a red card, their ranking will be lowered.
• If a tie occurs, the relative placement method will be used to break the tie.

Finals - Round 2

• The top 6 competitors participate in the finals.
• This round includes I-walking and two sets of quarter turns.
• Competitors first perform I-walking to showcase their personal style.
• Afterward, they perform two sets of quarter turns, each time in numerical order and then in reverse order.
• The judges give rankings based on the competitors’ performance in the finals.
• The final score does not consider scores from the prejudging rounds; each competitor starts with zero points.
• If a competitor receives a red card, their ranking will be lowered.
• If a tie occurs, the relative placement method will be used to break the tie.

6. Qualification and Finals: Attire for All Rounds
6.1 Attire for Elimination Rounds and All Other Rounds:
Attire for elimination rounds and all other rounds (two-piece bikini) shall conform to the following standards:
* The bikini must be an opaque two-piece. *The color, fabric, texture, ornamentation, and style of the bikini, as well as the color and style of the high-heeled shoes, are at the competitor’s discretion, with the following exceptions.
* The high-heeled shoes shall have a maximum sole thickness of 1 cm and a maximum heel height of 12 cm. Platform shoes are not allowed.
* The bikini bottom shall be cut to cover a minimum of 1/2 of the gluteus maximus and all front area. Attachments are allowed only on the upper part of the garment. The style of the bikini must be tasteful.
* Attire will be checked during the official athlete registration.
6.2 Hair may be styled at the competitor’s discretion.
6.3 No jewelry may be worn except a wedding band, bracelets, and earrings. Competitors shall not wear eyeglasses, watches, wigs, or any artificial aids to body shape, with the exception of breast implants. Implants or fluid injections that cause the natural shape of any other body part or muscle to be altered are strictly prohibited and could lead to a competitor’s disqualification.
6.4 No wipe-off tanning agents or bronzers are allowed. If the tanning agent can be removed by simple wiping, the athlete is not allowed on stage. Artificial body colorants and self-tanning products are permitted. Professional competition tanning methods (spray tan, booth spray tan) are allowed if performed by a professional company and qualified personnel. Glitter, sequins, shiny metallic pearlized or gold colorants, whether as part of tanning lotions and/or creams or used separately, are prohibited.
6.5 Excessive application of oil on the body is strictly prohibited; however, body oils and moisturizers may be used in moderation.
6.6 The IFBB Head Judge or an official delegated by him/her has the right to decide if the competitor’s attire conforms to the standards stated in the rules and to an acceptable aesthetic standard. If the attire does not meet the standards, the athlete could be disqualified.

Detailed Judging Criteria for Women’s Wellness Competition

The judging criteria for the Women’s Wellness competition are designed to comprehensively assess athletes’ physique, form, presentation, and overall image across all rounds. Here’s a breakdown of the criteria for each round:

Prejudging - Elimination Round

• Primary focus on the overall physique, including:
  • Proportion: The balance between different body parts.
  • Symmetry: The similarity between the left and right sides of the body.
  • Balance: The harmony of the overall form.
  • Shape: The contours and lines of the muscles.
  • Skin Tone: The health and color of the skin.
• Key Points:
  • Does not assess muscle separation or muscle quality, avoiding overly muscular or sharply defined physiques.
  • The top 15 competitors advance.
  • Yellow Card Warning: Competitors may receive a warning and point deduction for incorrect poses or behavior.

Prejudging - Round 1

• Comprehensive Assessment:
  • Begins with a general impression, focusing on hair, body development, shape, balance, symmetry, skin condition, tone, and the athlete’s confidence, poise, and grace.
  • Vertical proportions should be correct, however, the horizontal proportions should display a slightly bigger body mass in the hips, buttocks and thighs area.
  • Focus on overall body tone achieved through athletic endeavors and diet, with a nice and firm appearance and decreased body fat.
  • Avoid: Muscle separation, definition, very low body fat levels, or the dryness/density seen in bodyfitness competitions; avoid muscle size and quality seen in women’s physique competitions.
• Specific Assessments:
  • Overall Body Tone: Muscle firmness achieved through training and diet.
  • Skin Tightness and Tone: Smooth and healthy skin, free of cellulite.
  • Overall Package: How well the hair and makeup complement the total presentation.
• Key Points:
  • Not seeking excessive muscularity or leanness, avoiding muscle separation or striations.
  • Judges evaluate the entire presentation, from the moment the athlete steps on stage until they leave.
  • Emphasis on a “healthy and fit“ physique and an attractive overall package.
  • The top 6 competitors advance.
  • Red Card Warning: If a competitor receives a red card, their ranking will be lowered.
  • Relative Placement Method: Used to break ties.

Finals - Round 2

• Same assessment criteria as Round 1:
  • Emphasis on overall body impression, including posture, physique, and skin tone.
  • Re-evaluate muscle shape but not separation or definition, not too low body fat levels, and not an overly dry physique.
  • Evaluate the presentation during I-walking and quarter turns.
• Key Points:
  • Judging is independent of prejudging rounds, ensuring each competitor is assessed fairly based on their current condition.
  • Red Card Warning: If a competitor receives a red card, their ranking will be lowered.
  • Relative Placement Method: Used to break ties.

General Principles

• Overall Image: Focus on overall balance, symmetry, grace, and health.
• Avoid Extremes: Avoid excessive muscularity, overly defined muscles, or too low body fat.
• Emphasis on Presentation: Evaluate the athlete’s confidence, poise, grace, and stage presence.
• “Total Package”: Hair, makeup, attire, and overall presentation should complement each other.

INTRODUCTION:
Judges are strongly reminded that they are judging a WOMEN’S WELLNESS competition. The extreme muscularity, vascularity, muscular definition and separation, dryness and/or dieted leanness will not be considered acceptable if displayed by a Wellness competitor and therefore, must be marked down.

GENERAL PRESENTATION:
The Wellness division is intended for women who prefer a muscular physique without muscle separation, athletic and aesthetically pleasing, with a slightly bigger body mass than in Bikini Fitness, especially in the hips, buttocks and thighs area. From this point of view, Wellness is placed somewhere between Bikini Fitness and Women’s Physique.

Judges are reminded that the competitor’s posture and bearing, at all times while onstage, is to be considered. The overall image displayed should demonstrate poise, femininity and self-confidence. This is especially true at all times when the competitor is performing I-walking in the finals, standing in the line-up and during the comparisons of the quarter turns. When standing in the line-up, the competitors shall be warned against adopting a tense pose, displaying the muscularity.

A relaxed stance in the line-up means that the competitor will:

• stand erect, front to the judges, with one hand resting on the hip and one leg slightly moved to the side. Second arm hanging at the side.
• Head and eyes towards the front, shoulders back, chest out, stomach in.

On the IFBB Chief Judge command, competitors standing in the line-up should perform the Front Position.

QUARTER TURNS
An athlete, who despite being pre-warned by the IFBB Chief Judge, performs quarter turns or stands in the line-up incorrectly, will be given a Yellow Card. If continues to do so, she will be given a Red Card and will be moved one place down (for each of the Red Cards received).

Performing each quarter turn, competitors will stand motionless. Latissimus dorsi muscles should be exposed in a natural way, without maximum contraction presented by bodybuilders.

Front Position:
Competitors will stand erect, head and eyes facing the same direction as the body, with one hand resting on the hip and one leg slightly moved to the side. Second hand hanging down along the body, slightly out of to the side, with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers. Knees unbent, stomach in, chest out, shoulders back.

Quarter turn right (left side to the judges):
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. Right hand resting on the right hip, left arm hold down and slightly back from the centerline of the body, with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers. Left hip slightly raised, left leg (nearest the judges) slightly bent in the knee, left foot moved forward a couple of centimeters, resting on the toes.

Quarter turn back:
Competitors will perform the next quarter turn to the right and will stand back to the judges. They will stand straight, not leaning the upper body forward. with one hand resting on the hip and one leg slightly moved to the side. Second hand hanging down along the body, slightly out of to the side, with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers. Knees unbent, stomach in, chest out, shoulders back. Lower back curvature natural or with slight lordosis, upper back straight, head up. Competitors are not allowed to turn their upper body towards the judges and should face the back of the stage at all time during the comparison.

Quarter turn right (right side to the judges):
Competitors will do the next quarter turn to the right and will stand their right 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 back from the centerline of the body, with open palm and straight, aesthetically configured fingers. Right hip slightly raised, right leg (nearest the judges) slightly bent in the knee, right foot moved forward a couple of centimeters, resting on the toes.

The assessment should take the whole physique into account. The assessment, beginning with a general impression of the physique, should take into consideration the hair, make-up and face, the overall body development and shape; the presentation of a balanced and symmetrically developed, complete physique; the condition of the skin and the skin tone; and the athlete’s ability to present herself with confidence, poise and grace.

Since muscularity development and muscle quality is not assessed, the judges should favor competitors with a harmonious female physique, good posture, correct anatomical structure (including body framework, correct spinal curves, limbs and trunk in good proportion, straight legs, not bandy or knock- kneed). Horizontal proportions (hips and waist to shoulder width) may favor women with a slightly bigger hips, thighs and buttocks. Vertical proportions (legs to upper body length) are ones of the key factors.

The physique should be assessed as to its level of overall body tone, achieved through athletic endeavors and diet. The body parts should have a nice and firm appearance with a decreased amount of body fat, similar to this displayed by bikini fitness competitors. The physique should neither be excessively muscular nor excessively lean and should be free from muscle separation and/or striations.

Physiques that are considered too muscular, too hard or too dry must be marked down.

The assessment should 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 hair and makeup should complement the “Total Package” presented by the athlete.

The judge’s assessment of the athlete’s physique should include the athlete’s entire presentation, from the moment she walks onstage until the moment she walks offstage. At all times, the Wellness competitor must be viewed with the emphasis on a “healthy and fit” physique, in an attractively presented, impressive “Total Package”.

Judges are reminded that this is not a bodyfitness or women’s physique contest. The competitors should have shape to their muscle but not the separation, definition, very low body fat level, dryness or hardness that are seen at bodyfitness competitions or muscularity and muscle quality seen at women’s physique competition. Any competitor who exhibits these features is to be marked down.

I-walking is performed in the following manner:

• The competitor will walk to the center of the stage, will stop and perform four different positions of her choice.
• The competitor will then walk to the line-up in the rear part of the stage.

The judges will be assessing each competitor on how well they display their physique in move. Competitors shall be assessed on whether or not they carry themselves in a graceful manner while walking to and along the stage. The pace, the elegance of moves, gestures, “showmanship”, personality, charisma, stage presence and charm, as well as a natural rhythm should play a part in the final placing of each competitor.