criteria and posing | thunderclassic

CRITERIA and POSING

Bodybuilders (Male):

Muscle quality, muscle separation and striations, symmetry (correct proportion), vascularity, conditioning, absence of visible body fat, posing ability, and overall presentation and stage presence. While “ripped” competitors are desirable, “emaciated/anorexic” looking competitors are not. Lean shape should be accompanied by quality muscularity. Athletes should also be judged on their ability to follow directions and professional actions. Tan will be considered. Attire: Solid color posing suits in good taste. No thongs.

Posing for prejudging: Quarter Turns (to the right), Front Double Biceps, Front Lat Spread, Side Chest, Rear Double Biceps, Rear Lat Spread, Side Triceps, Overhead Abdominals, Most Muscular. Optional poses include-Side Hamstring curl, Stand-on-Calves, Serratus Side. Also optional: 1-minute of free posing.

Classic Physique:

This group is for athletes that want to put on more muscularity then Physique, but not to the extreme of a bodybuilder. Classic Physique bridges the gap between Bodybuilder and Physique. The judges look for fit athletes that display symmetry, proper shape, muscularity, and over-all conditioning, as well as stage presence and personality. The prominent V-Taper shall be more definite compared to men's bodybuilding. The focus in Classic Physique is on the classic physique posing, presentation, and execution of classic poses. Extreme muscularity, vascularity, separation, and striations will be marked down. Tan will be considered. Attire: solid color spandex shorts

Posing for prejudging: Quarter Turns (to the right), Front Double Biceps, Side Chest (unclenched hands), Rear Double Biceps, Abdominals and thighs, 3 classic poses of athletes choice-Most Muscular and mandatory poses are excluded.

Physique (Men): Judges will be looking for fit athletes that display proper shape and symmetry combined with muscularity and overall conditioning. This is not a bodybuilding contest, extreme muscularity will not be rewarded. Judges are looking for the athlete with the best stage presence and poise that conveys his personality to the audience. Evidence of abs muscles should be prevalent. The athlete must present a wide back with depth and a defined "V"-Taper to the waist. Defined roundness in the delts and evidence of muscle separation. Tan will be considered. Attire: Board Shorts. Shorts must be above the knee in length and can be one inch below the belly button. No spandex or logos permitted, with the exception of a manufactures logo such as Nike or Adidas for example.

Posing for prejudging: Quarter Turns (to the right)

Physique (Women):

Figure:

The athlete should show good balance, proportion, conditioning, and symmetry in her physique. From the side, her body should show a nice taper from the lats, to the tie into the oblique-showing the “oblique sweep”. The legs should be muscular with a minimum separation of the quads. The glutes and hamstrings should be firm and show a well-developed outer sweep to the thigh. The muscles should have a firm, round appearance, indicating muscle tone and conditioning. There should not be excessive separation or cut between the muscles. Muscle tone also means the absence of excessive fat and water, with a sense of overall hardness. Judges will look for an even balance of muscle to frame and balance of body parts to each other. Presentation and color (tan) tone will be considered. Transitions should be fluid/without hesitation and poise must be well practiced. Overall polish, femininity, hair, make-up, and accessories can make a difference. Attire: Two piece suit that crosses in the back. Suits do not need to be a solid color and may have sequins and embellishments. No thongs permitted. All suits must be in good taste. Jewelry and hairpieces may be used. Heels are mandatory.

Posing for prejudging: Quarter Turns (to the right)

Bikini:

The purpose of this division is to allow athletes who are physically fit, hold a strong image for stage and camera, compete in a fair and drug free arena. The judges are looking for fit, toned, proportionate builds, with feminine shape and conditioning that is universal in appeal. The overall image of the athlete is a toned, sculpted physique that bears firmness, non-evident body fat and a fitness life-style. This translate to an overall body quality with mild definition and no muscular separation. Athletes will want to give the impression that they work out, did more than just diet to get there, and can maintain this impression long after the curtain closes. The five major elements include: balance and symmetry, tone and conditioning, poise and presentation, style and stage presence and a suit, make-up and accessories that enhance their physique. Attire: A suit that enhances your physique. Pay attention to style, fit, color, etc. Sequin and embellishments are permitted. Clear high heeled shoes are mandatory.

Posing for prejudging: Half turns-as well as walking to the back of the stage and to the front. Back pose- no bending over, one leg extended to the side, one hand on a hip and the other extended.

Bikini Model:

The NGA Bikini Model requires competitors to bring an original and creative bikini based glamour wear. The Glamour wear should incorporate the bikini and compliments their fit physique in a classy, high fashioned, elegant display. The Bikini Model division is judges live at the evening show only.

Bikini Models will display a fit and toned body with a pageantry style competition that allows their personal creativeness to shine.

This division is meant for persons interested in pursuing a modeling career in the fashion/fitness industry and athletes who feel they are marketable on stage, in print, and in a variety of mediums.

Competitive Components: The overall image of the Bikini Model competitor is beauty and a toned physique that is complimented by an extravagant glamour wear. Throughout the competition, Judges will consider the following:

1. Glamour Wear: is not simply a bikini with feathers. A true Bikini Model ensembles herself with Glamour wear that displays her own unique twist with class and style, combining high fashion and elegance with their outfit. High heel shoes are required to enhance the outfit, however, clear high heels are not required.

2. Tone and Condition: A tight and toned physique and includes a polished complexion, face, hair, smile, makeup, and beauty.

3. Poise and Presentation: How the competitor carries themselves, posture, balance, graceful movements, positioning, stature, confidence, finesse, and smooth and classy transitions. NO BIKINI POSING

4. Style and Stage Presence: Competitors own self expression, appeal, image, camera savvy, stance in creative and attractive ways. Competitors overall look is important and should include a sense of vibrancy, charisma, confidence, sex appeal, a positive and fun attitude, personality, and individual style.

T-Walk: All competitors will do an individual t-walk and then exit the stage. When all t-walks are completed all Bikini Models will be lined up at the back of the stage. These walks are open to the Bikini Model’s creativity. We encourage glamour, class, flare, and elegance.

Amateur Bikini Models are allowed 60 seconds and 90 seconds for Pros for free style stage presentation. It is customary to follow a stage T-walk outline that is performed to music of athlete’s choice following the rules set forth by the NGA. The promotor has the option to adjust the maximum time limit. Music containing profanity or explicit language will not be allowed and may result in being disqualified from contest. Comparison Walk: The class is brought out together and will walk from the back to the front of the stage. Arms and leg positions are at the Bikini Model’s discretion. Officials may move competitors around for comparisons. As a group, the class will be instructed to model by walking to the front then walk to the back when prompted.

5. Competitors may not bend over when executing their walks. Placing may be compromised if the Bikini Model bends over. A minimum of 50% of the gluteus must be displayed and incorporated into the stage walk. Judges will review how competitors work the stage, presentation, glamour wear originality, personality, and overall beauty. This is the Bikini Models time to shine, go all out and showcase both their hard work in the gym and their originality of their glamour wear.

NOTE: Classes for all Women’s Division are at the discretion of the Promoter for utilizing height or weight.

Wellness-

This division is best suited for the female athlete with a more developed lower body than a Bikini Competitor possesses. We are looking for an overall fit and toned build where the lower body (hips, glutes, hamstrings, and quads) shows more genetically larger size and muscular development compared to the upper body.

The overall image of the Wellness athlete is a fit, toned, sculpted physique that bears symmetry, firmness, non-evident body fat and a more muscular developed lower body as compared to the upper body. Judges will consider the following: 1. Symmetry: The body shall be developed equally side to side and back to front. 2. Non-Proportion: Proportion implies an even balance of muscular development in comparison to each muscle group. As an example, large biceps and small quads will indicate a non-proportionate physique. The Wellness Competitor presents the Upper body as fit and toned similar to a Bikini Competitor. However, the Lower body (hips, glutes, hamstrings, and quads) is clearly larger in mass compared to the upper body with muscle fullness and conditioning. Judging will consider competitors with equal proportion of upper body to lower body as unacceptable. 3. Definition: Muscle groups are complete and not overly developed or defined. Evidence of ab muscles is acceptable. Wellness competitors must present a conditioned core and small amount of roundness in the delts with no visible striations and vascularity. Excessive muscularity, vascularity and striations in the lower body will be marked down. 4. Poise and Presentation: How an athlete carries themselves, posture, gait, balance, graceful movement, positioning, stature, and finesse. 5. Style and Stage Presence will be scored on appeal, how athletes project themselves, image, stance, posing in creative and attractive ways. An Athlete's overall look is important and should include a sense of vibrancy, charisma, confidence, a positive and fun attitude, personality, and individual style. 6. Attire: A bikini suit that enhances the physique (the top is not attached to the bottom as it is in a Figure suit). Pay attention to style, fit and color. Micros and thongs are prohibited. Clear high heels.

Posing for Prejudging : Quarter turns-Wellness Competitor poses will consist of quarter turns front, side and back. Front facing pose will show one leg of the athlete's choice slightly bent and showcased toward the judges with a straight arm at side and the opposite hand on the hip. The Side pose (with head facing judges) will have the front leg extended straight with the back leg bent allowing the torso to bend slightly forward and the opposite hand rests on the hip. The back facing pose will showcase the entire back of the body presenting symmetry with a lower body focus. Both hands shall be placed on the thighs. The upper torso will be upright to present the tone and condition of the upper back with a slight and evident v-taper to the lower back. Wellness Competitors may NOT bend over when executing the back facing pose. Points may be deducted if the competitor bends over during the back facing pose.

Beach Body (Men and Women):

This is a non-sanctioned event. Beach body division is scored based upon a fit, toned, athletic, beach body look. Hair and makeup should be done to enhance natural beauty. Attire: For men and women-a regular off the rack bathing suit. women-No thongs or micro bottoms allowed. Shoes or no-shoes

Posing for prejudging: Half turns-as well as walking to the back of the stage and to the front. Back pose- no bending over. Posing is relaxed.

Transformation: This is a non-sanctioned event for Men and Women. Each transformation competitor will submit a no longer then one minute video (on a usb stick) showcasing their body transformation story with before pictures. Judging is done based upon video story, stage presentation, and overall impact of their transformations. Attire: participants can wear anything that shows shape. Anything from a figure suit, a bikini suit, a regular bathing suit, work out attire, and spandex. Shoes (heels, flip flops, sneakers) can be worn if wanted.

Posing for prejudging consists athlete coming out onto stage after video is played, basically walking the stage and saying “hey” to everyone. Then athlete exits. Once all transformation stories have been told, all athletes will come back out on stage together, No real body comparisons are made. Everyone exits together

Couples:

This division is for couples who enjoy weight lifting and competing. Athletes should display an athletic physique showcasing muscle tone and strength. All body types of physiques will be considered. Striations and excessive muscularity will not be rewarded. Presentation, posing, and color (tan) tone will be considered.

Posing for prejudging consists of Quarter turns and Routine/t-walk/presentation is judged during this portion of the competition

Fitness:

The FITNESS division is not a BODYBUILDING competition. Criteria emphasizes a “healthy, fit, athletic” physique that is attractively presented. The athlete should show good balance, proportion and symmetry of their physique. The physique should also show separation and conditioning but not be over lean or striated. Limited body fat in the glutes and hamstrings area is a strong adage. Presentation and color tone will be considered. Transitions from each quarter turn should be fluid without hesitation and poise must be well practiced. Overall polish, (including hair, make-up and accessories for women) can make a difference. It is recommended women use heels, not platforms. Pastel and skin colored suits wash out on stage. Body piercing is allowed, but jewelry for women should be minimal.

Round One: Assessment of the Fitness Routine

Costume or Fitness Outfit for Women and Spandex Shorts for Men In these rounds, athletes perform a fitness routine, to music selected by the competitor, the length of which shall not exceed 2 minutes and FREE of profanity. Once again, the judge should consider the “Total Package”, that is, the entire routine from the moment the athlete presents their selves onstage until the moment the athlete walks offstage. The judges are reminded that, during this Round, they are judging ONLY the fitness routine and NOT the physique. The judge should look for a well-choreographed and creative routine performed at tempo/speed. Compulsory movements are mandatory. The routine shall include the following at a minimum:

Elements of STRENGTH and FLEXIBILITY

• Women: One arm pushup, straddle hold, leg extension hold and high kick.

• Men: Hand stand, one arm pushup, straddle hold, leg extension hold, 90-degree kick, 360 aerial spin and back flip.

The number of strength moves, their degree of difficulty, and the overall creativity of the moves should be considered in the judging of the routine. Optional strength and flexibility movements may include front and/or side splits and one arm handstand. The TEMPO of the routine demonstrates a degree of cardiovascular fitness, stamina, and endurance. There is a component - an element of “showmanship”, which competitors bring to a fitness routine that is unique to them. This is their personality, charisma, stage presence, and charm, as well as a natural rhythm that should play a part in the final placing of each competitor. Round Two: Two-Piece Suit or Costume for Women and Spandex Shorts for Men:

• Contestants may be brought out individually for a short stage walk for the judges to observe overall presentation, poise, and stage presence.

• Contestants will be brought out all at once and do quarter turns. Solid color two-piece suits or costumes for women are required. Ornamentation, like sequins, is permitted. No thongs permitted. No oil may be used. Sheen is okay. Jewelry and hairpieces may be worn. No props are used. Heels are mandatory.

The Promoter has the option to present the athletes at prejudging via an I-Walk. As the class is lined up backstage - ready to compete. Each competitor takes the stage individually and is introduced by competitor number only. The athlete goes mid stage-hits one or two poses and goes to the back line. Once every competitor is on stage (at the back line) all competitors then line up as per normal prejudging parameters.

IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DIVISIONS, GUIDELINES, AND RULES. CHECK OUT THE NGA WEBSITE AT www.nationalgymassociation.com check out the NGA handbook with all the guidelines and show information you may need.

CRITERIA/POSING