The introduction of women to bodybuilding is still new. However, their categories are expanding into new and more developed arenas every day. This means that more and more women are looking to become fierce competitors in this ever growing sport. Why? Because there is literally a category for every type of fitness centered woman. The bodybuilding competition categories range from lean and petite women to ripped muscle that shows all the bells and whistles.
Main Categories of a Bodybuilding Competition
For women, there are six categories that are prominent in the bodybuilding competition. Each one with their own set of criteria. These six include wellness, bikini, figure, fitness, physique, and bodybuilding. Below you’ll see that we go through each category and name what exactly the judges are looking for in each one.
Wellness
When it comes to the world of bodybuilding, women competing is a still new. Almost as new as the emergence of women in bodybuilding is the category known as wellness. Introduced in 2016, the wellness category of the bodybuilding competition is meant more as a look at the classic healthy woman. In other words, the judging of this particular arena is not sheerly based on muscle size or body fat levels.
In fact, it is more geared towards the symmetry of the muscles, general appearance, and good proportions all around both vertically and horizontally. The idea behind it is that the women who take part in this category are muscular without being overly muscular. This is the part of the bodybuilding competition where a little junk in the trunk is acceptable so long as its rounded to perfection.
As a side note, for those new to the bodybuilding world, the phase ‘I-walk’ is also new as well. This basically is the phrase used to describe the competitor walking to center stage, perform four poses, and then walk to the back of the stage to join the lineup of competitors. The goal to the ‘I-walk’ is to be confident and self-assured.
Assessments
- Quarter Turns
- Stage Presence
- ‘I-walks’
- Vertical Proportions
- Horizontal Proportions
Bikini
Since the introduction of women into the sport of bodybuilding competition, the bikini category has always taken the top seed. Much like the wellness category, the bikini category is focused on the balanced physique. You’ll want to have the right amount of muscle definition without being overly muscular. Having a decent body fat level is also acceptable in this category. That being said, you don’t need to have a super low body fat to excel in the bikini category. Having symmetry in both muscle size and shape is what makes the cake in the bikini category.
The biggest difference between the wellness category and bikini category of the bodybuilding competition is the rounds. When it comes to wellness, there is one round as of now. However, with the bikini category, there are two rounds which break up the different things the judges look at. Both rounds include the majority of the same, except that the second round starts with the ‘I-walk’.
Assessments
- Front Poses
- Back Poses
- Quarter Turns
- Overall Presentation
- ‘I-walks’
- Posing
- Stage Presence
Figure
For those looking to get more into the traditional bodybuilding arena, the figure category is where it starts. It leads into the bodybuilding category where a natural athletic physique is needed. This means both stellar muscle shape as well as having everything toned. The women in the figure category tend to have a broader set of shoulders as well as a smaller waist. Also, unlike many other areas of bodybuilding competition for women, narrow hips are also acceptable in this category.
Now, when it comes to what the judges want to really see, the upper body takes the brunt. This means that having stronger back and shoulder muscles is what is most appealing. That doesn’t mean to leave your lower body in the dust. Having strong quadriceps and glutes are also something that judges are looking at in this category. Essentially for the figure bodybuilding competition, you want to have your bodyfat levels between eight and twelve percent. The goal? Clear muscle definition with visible separation.
Assessments
- Quarter Turns
- Muscle Size, Symmetry, & Proportions
- Visible Muscle Separation
- Overall Appearance
Fitness
Now, unlike several other categories, the main goal of the fitness category of the bodybuilding competition is to show strength and flexibility. In other words, where the other categories are more commonly built on appearance, this one combines that with ability. The main part of this category is the completion of a fitness routine to music. During the routine, the competitor is can perform however they see fit so long as it shows the basic assessments below. Thus, showing their flexibility and power.
Assessments
- One Arm Pushup
- Leg Extension Hold
- High Kick
- Front Split
- Side Split
- Straddle Hold
Physique
Moving into the physique category, we are inched closer to the overall traditional bodybuilding competition category. In the physique category, the judges mainly look for more defined muscle that is of a larger proportion than the previous four areas. Competing in this category, you’ll want to maintain between eight and ten percent body fat as well as muscle size, tone, and balance.
A routine must be performed to music and demonstrate movement and physique. Essentially the women in this category want to reach a muscle mass larger than the previously mentioned. However, you still don’t want too much muscle mass. That is reserved for the bodybuilding category itself.
Assessments
- Front Double Bicep (with open hands)
- Back Double Bicep (with open hands)
- Side Triceps (leg extended)
- Side Chest (arms extended)
- Front Abdominal
- Front Thigh
Bodybuilding
Of the categories for women bodybuilding competition, the bodybuilding category is the most labor intensive. Unlike the other categories, a woman bodybuilder is judge by her weight rather than height in this case. This is do to the fact that the judges are basing their results on muscle mass and body fat versus just the appearance and athleticism of the competitors.
There are several poses that are standard for this category. However, if a judge wishes to see a different pose they can ask the competitor to perform said pose in order to make a better judgement overall. In addition to the traditional assessments needed, the bodybuilding woman can actually create their very own variations of poses to best show off their hard work.
The only other major things that judges are looking for in this category are a lack of water retention under the skin. This along with low body fat will give the muscle more definition and texture. They’re also looking for visible blood vessels in the competitors. This is commonly achieved by both the body fat and water retention being low. Of all of the bodybuilding competition categories, this is the one most closely related to men’s bodybuilding.
Assessments
- Front Double Bicep (with open hands)
- Back Double Bicep (with open hands)
- Side Triceps (leg extended)
- Side Chest (arms extended)
- Front Abdominal
- Front Thigh
Bodybuilding SARMs for Women
Just as the world of bodybuilding has evolved into a multi-sex sport, the world of supplements has also evolved. SARMs are the better alternative to anabolic androgenic steroids and can be used by both men and women. The main difference lies in the dose and length of cycle. However, this does not change the fact that these supplements can help you get just the right physique to compete. Therefore, to get ready for your bodybuilding competition, they play a crucial role in forming the right muscle in the right areas.
SARMs that are most commonly used by women include GW 501516 Cardarine, LGD 4033 Ligandrol, MK 2866 Ostarine, S4 Andarine, and SR 9009 Stenabolic. Want to get a basic overview of these top tier SARMs? This article has all the information you’ll need to get started with your bodybuilding regimen.
So, now that you have an overview of the different categories, not to mention a running list of SARMs to help, what will you do? Are you ready to start your journey and get ready for your first ever bodybuilding competition?
Bodybuilding Competitions, Supplements, & Paradigm Peptides
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