3.1 There are six categories in Senior Men’s Physique, currently as follows:

• Class A: Up to & including 170 cm
• Class B: Up to & including 173 cm
• Class C: Up to & including 176 cm
• Class D: Up to & including 179 cm
• Class E: Up to & including 182 cm
• Class F: Over 182 cm

3.2 There are two categories in Senior Muscular Men’s Physique competition, currently as follows:

• Class A: Up to & including 179 cm
• Class B: Over 179 cm
  Note: Muscular Men’s Physique category is intended for competitors with slightly bigger muscularity than accepted in the regular men’s physique.

3.3 There are the following categories in Junior Men’s Physique, currently as follows:

• 16 to 17 years of age inclusive:
  • One open category
• 18 to 20 years of age inclusive:
  • One open category
• 21 to 23 years of age inclusive:
  • Class A: Up to & including 174 cm
  • Class B: Up to & including 178 cm
  • Class C: Over 178 cm

3.4 There are three categories in Masters Men’s Physique, currently as follows:

• Class A: Age 40-44: one open class

• Class B: Age 45-49: one open class

• Class C: Age 50 and over: one open class

3.5 Except of the World and Continental Championships, a category can only be run if there are not less than 3 athletes. If less than 3 athletes, categories will be combined wherever possible. Masters categories will not be combined. At the World and Continental Championships a category can only be run if there are not less than 5 athletes. If less than 5 athletes, categories will be combined wherever possible.

3.6 Crossovers:

• Men’s Physique competitors may also participate in the Men’s Fitness division at the same contest, if they meet specific requirements obligatory in that division.

Article 6 – Prejudging and Finals: Attire for All Rounds

6.1 The attire for the Elimination Round and other Rounds (board shorts) will conform to the following criteria:

1. 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. 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.

2. No tight, lycra style shorts are allowed.

3. Personal sponsors logos are not permitted on the shorts; however a manufacturer’s logo such is accepted.

4. 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.

5. Headgears are generally prohibited but if it is required by the official rules of the country represented by a competitor or due to the religious principles observed by a competitor, a small, tight cap with no vizor, may be used. This cup should be shown at the Official Athlete Registration and approved by the designated IFBB official

6.2 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 colouring and self-tanning products may be used. 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.

6.3 The excessive application of oil on the body is strictly prohibited; however, body oils and moisturizers may be used in moderation.

6.4 The IFBB Chief Judge, or a delegated by him official, will have the right to make decision if a competitor’s attire meets the criteria established in the Rules and an acceptable standards of aesthetics. The athlete may be disqualified if the attire doesn’t meet them.

10.1 All rounds are assessed using the following criteria:

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. The judges are reminded that extreme muscularity and definition should be marked down. How to assess the Men’s Physique quarter turns is explained in Appendix 2 to this Section.
2. 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.
3. In exceptional cases, when the anatomical structure of a competitor drastically differs from the accepted criteria of body condition in the physique sports (extended belly, unnatural shape of muscles, gynecomastia, too high bodyfat level, etc.) the Chief Judge has the right to prevent the athlete from competing or disqualify him in any other moment of his stage presentation.

APPENDIX 1: DESCRIPTION OF THE MEN’S PHYSIQUE FOUR QURTER 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, he will be given a Red Card and will be moved one place down (for each of the Red Cards received).

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.

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 Right: 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.

APPENDIX 2: HOW TO ASSESS THE MEN’S PHYSIQUE QUARTER TURNS

With the exception of the upper legs, which are covered by board shorts, 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; the overall body development and shape; the presentation of a balanced, proportionally and symmetrically developed physique; the condition of the skin and the skin tone; and the athlete’s ability to present himself with confidence and elegance.

The judges should favour competitors with a harmonious, proportional, classical male 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). Vertical proportions (legs to upper body length) and horizontal proportions (hips and waist to shoulder width) are ones of the key factors. The physique should be assessed as to its level of overall body density, achieved through athletic endeavors and diet. The body parts should have a nice and firm appearance with a decreased amount of body fat but should have a “softer” and “smoother” look than in bodybuilding.

The physique should neither be excessively muscular nor excessively lean and should be free from deep muscle separation and/or sharp striations. Physiques that are considered too muscular, too hard, too dry or too lean must be marked down.

The assessment should also take into consideration the tone of the skin. The skin tone should be smooth and healthy in appearance. The hair 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 he walks onstage until the moment he walks offstage. At all times, the Men’s Physique 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 bodybuilding contest. The competitors should have shape to their muscle but not the separation, definition, very low bodyfat level, dryness or hardness that are seen at bodybuilding competitions. Any competitor who exhibits these features is to be marked down.